AMC Costs · Updated July 2026
AMC Exam Total Cost 2026 — Full Fee Breakdown in AUD
By the Mostly Medicine team · reviewed by an AMC pass-graduate IMG on our team
Exam-side, a single-attempt AMC run costs roughly A$7,500–8,500 in 2026: EPIC verification, MCQ (~A$2,690), clinical (~A$3,490), an English test and the AHPRA application. End-to-end — with relocation, travel and living costs — most IMGs spend A$23,000–33,000. The biggest hidden cost isn’t a fee at all: it’s a failed attempt.
The 2026 fee breakdown
Approximate figures for the 2026 cycle — always verify against the current AMC fee schedule and ahpra.gov.au before budgeting:
| Component | Approx. cost (AUD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| EPIC verification (ECFMG) | ~A$200–350 | USD 130 base + per-credential fees; document check, not an exam |
| AMC CAT 1 (MCQ) | ~A$2,690 | Per attempt |
| AMC CAT 2 (Clinical) | ~A$3,490 | Per attempt |
| English test (if not exempt) | A$410–587 | IELTS ~A$410 · OET ~A$587 · PTE similar |
| AHPRA registration application | ~A$760 | Initial application |
| Exam-side total (single attempt) | ~A$7,500–8,500 | Before travel & living costs |
Want it itemised for your exact situation? The free AMC fee calculator lets you toggle each component (with home-currency conversion) — no signup.
What EPIC actually is (and isn’t)
EPIC — the Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials — is ECFMG’s primary-source verification of your medical degree. It is a document check, not an exam, and it’s required before the AMC will let you into the pathway. Budget USD 130 for the account plus per-credential verification fees, and start it first: verification can take months, and it’s the most common timeline-stretcher on the whole pathway.
The hidden costs nobody budgets for
- A failed attempt — a clinical resit is ~A$3,490. This dwarfs every other line item, which is why prep quality is a financial decision, not just an academic one.
- Travel for the clinical exam — flights + accommodation if your test city isn’t home.
- Document chain — notarisation, good-standing certificates, courier fees across medical councils.
- Living costs during prep — the quiet budget-killer if you’ve stepped back from full-time work to study.
- Professional indemnity insurance — required once you start practising (~A$400–800/year).
End-to-end — including relocation and living costs — most IMGs land in the A$23,000–33,000 band. Country-specific breakdowns: India, Pakistan, Philippines.
How to spend less
- Pass first attempt. Free, structured prep exists — 4,400+ MCQs with option teardowns and a 16-week study plan. A single avoided resit pays for years of anything else.
- Check eligibility before spending anything — the 2-minute checker flags gaps (English, recency, documents) before you’ve paid a dollar.
- Sequence payments with a timeline — the timeline planner maps when each fee actually falls due, so costs spread over 12–18 months instead of landing at once.
- Pick your English test smartly — see IELTS vs OET; a wrong pick means paying twice.
FAQ
What is the total cost of the AMC pathway in 2026?
Exam-side costs (EPIC verification, AMC MCQ ~A$2,690, AMC clinical ~A$3,490, an English test, and AHPRA application ~A$760) land around A$7,500–8,500 for a single-attempt run. End-to-end — including relocation, travel, insurance and living costs — most IMGs spend A$23,000–33,000. Fees change each cycle; verify on amc.org.au.
What is EPIC and how much does it cost?
EPIC (Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials) is ECFMG’s primary-source verification of your medical degree — a document check, not an exam. Budget roughly USD 130 for the account plus per-credential verification fees, and start it early: it can take months.
Do I pay the full fee again if I fail an AMC exam?
Yes — every attempt is a full fee. A clinical resit alone is ~A$3,490, which is why structured prep that targets first-attempt passes is the single best cost-saver on the pathway.
Do I need to pay for an English test?
Only if you’re not exempt. AHPRA accepts OET (~A$587), IELTS Academic (~A$410) and PTE Academic — see the current minimum scores on our eligibility checker. Doctors whose primary degree is from a recognised English-speaking country may be exempt.
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Last reviewed: 31 July 2026
Next review: 31 January 2027
Author: Mostly Medicine team