Starting October 21, 2024, AHPRA is introducing a new fast-track pathway for specialist registration for internationally qualified medical specialists. This Expedited Specialist Pathway is designed to streamline the registration process, enabling well-qualified specialists from comparable health systems to begin treating patients in Australia more quickly. This change is part of AHPRA’s ongoing efforts to address the increasing demand for healthcare services while maintaining rigorous standards for public safety.
Specialist GPs with one of the following accepted qualifications will be eligible to apply through the new pathway
- Membership of the Irish College of General Practitioners (MICGP) from 2009 and a Certificate of Satisfactory Completion of Specialist Training (CSCST)
- Fellowship of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (FRNZCGP) from 2012
- Membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners (United Kingdom) from 2007 and a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT).
- Specific specialist qualifications in anaesthetics, obstetrics and gynaecology, psychiatry will be added to the accepted list in December 2024, after a rigorous qualifications assessment process.
What does this mean for GPs with listed qualifications?
- The time to become job-ready should be reduced from 12 months to about 3 or 4 months. This definitely will make it easier for GPs with substantially comparable qualifications, to enter Australia more quickly and easily.
- This pathway is also likely to be much cheaper than the current alternative on the PEP Specialist pathway – but it will not lead to Fellowship with an accredited medical College.
What we don’t know yet:
There are some important questions that remain unanswered:
- How much will the new pathway cost?
- How long will it take for a GP to be job ready with a provider number and visa?
- Will Medicare place restrictions on doctors while they have conditions on their Specialist Registration?
- What disadvantages might a GP experience without Fellowship with a Specialist College? Until now, Fellowship has been essential for doctors working in Australia.
Will these GPs avoid the 10-year moratorium?
The simple answer is no. Doctors on this pathway will need to work in a DPA area or gain a valid 19AB exemption in order to claim Medicare rebates.
There is one exception: As has been the case in the past, NZ graduates who were citizens or permanent residents on the first day of Medical school will still be exempt from moratorium provisions.
What are the key steps in the pathway?
Specialist IMGs will be able to complete a self-assessment and, if eligible, enter the expedited process, which includes the following key steps:
- Ability to gain Specialist Registration (with conditions) easily
- A period of supervised practice for up to six months (including orientation to the Australian healthcare system, and cultural safety education)
- Workplace based assessment and removal of the conditions to gain Specialist Registration without any restrictions
What is our recommendation to GPs considering this pathway?
It is difficult to give definitive advice in a rapidly changing landscape. We expect the unexpected, but our current advice is as follows:
If you have only just commenced application for the PEP Specialist Pathway: you may wish to try to switch pathways so you can get to Australia while the current DPA provisions are in place. Once you have started working here, you can enquire about the additional requirements that would lead to Fellowship. (check eligibility first)
If you have completed Part B and/or Part C of the PEP Specialist Pathway and are planning to arrive in the next couple of months: you may be better off staying on this pathway – even if it is more expensive. This pathway offers:
- Certainty about the outcomes and Medicare provisions
- Fellowship with the RACGP and any associated benefits
- Known timeframes for processing
What do you need to do to switch pathways:
Please contact the Registration Support Team at Alecto on [email protected]. They will help you complete and assessment of your eligibility and they will help you navigate the labyrinth of information. Additional costs will apply for this service.
Updates
We will keep you updated as soon as there is clearer information available. Email us at [email protected]
For more detailed information, visit the official AHPRA website or contact our team at Alecto Australia for guidance on your specific case.
Alecto Australia is in a prime position to keep you updated on the new pathway as Director, Martina Stanley represents the Recruitment Industry on the Specialist IMG Pathway Advisory Group.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is intended as general advice only and may not be applicable to your specific situation. The details about the Expedited Specialist Pathway are based on current developments, and these may be subject to change. We recommend consulting with a qualified professional or regulatory body, such as AHPRA or the Medical Board of Australia, for detailed and personalized advice. Alecto Australia does not take responsibility for any decisions made based on the information provided here.