How long does the full IMG pathway to Australia take?

From starting EPIC verification to general AHPRA registration typically takes 18–30 months for diligent candidates. Add 1–4 more years for internship + RMO before you become eligible to start specialist training. Total time from first AMC step to consultant/fellowship completion ranges from 5 to 10 years depending on specialty.

Do I need to do internship in Australia even if I have years of experience overseas?

Most IMGs going through the Standard Pathway are required to complete a 12-month supervised practice equivalent to internship for general registration. Doctors with substantial experience can sometimes have this period reduced or recognised, but the default expectation is a full intern year (PGY1) at an accredited Australian hospital.

What is EPIC and why do I need it?

EPIC (Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials) is a service run by ECFMG that verifies your primary medical qualification directly with the issuing university. AMC requires verified credentials before you can apply for AMC MCQ, so starting EPIC early (often the first 3 months of your timeline) is essential — verifications can take weeks or months depending on the university's responsiveness.

Which English test should I take — IELTS or OET?

Both are accepted. IELTS Academic requires overall 7.0 with no band below 7.0. OET requires Grade B in all four components (Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking). OET is often easier for clinicians because it uses healthcare-specific scenarios. Pick the one closest to your strengths and pattern of previous test scores.

What is the difference between Standard Pathway, Competent Authority Pathway, and Specialist Pathway?

Standard Pathway is the AMC MCQ + AMC Handbook AI RolePlay route used by the majority of IMGs. Competent Authority Pathway is for fully registered practitioners from a small list of countries (UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, NZ) who can bypass AMC exams. Specialist Pathway is for IMGs with overseas specialist qualifications who apply for assessment by an Australian medical college (e.g., RACP, RACS, RACGP) for direct specialist registration.

How do I get an internship after passing AMC?

Each Australian state runs its own intern allocation process. NSW has its own portal, Victoria runs the Postgraduate Medical Council intern campaign, Queensland has the QHealth recruitment, etc. IMGs typically apply via Category 2 or 3 (after domestic graduates), so positions are competitive and often regional. Mostly Medicine's job tracker maps current intern recruitment timelines by state.

IMG Pathway · Updated 2026

The Complete IMG Pathway to Practising Medicine in Australia

Q: Can my family come with me?

Yes. Spouses and dependent children can join you on the same visa stream (e.g., subclass 482 dependents, then 186 PR) once you have employer sponsorship. Australian public schools and Medicare-equivalent care for visa-holders' children are widely available, which is one reason the AMC pathway is popular among IMGs with families.

From your first EPIC verification step to fellowship as a consultant — every gate, every timeline, every common detour. Built for International Medical Graduates planning their move to Australia in 2026 and beyond.

Three pathways to Australian medical registration

Before mapping the journey, identify which pathway applies to you. The Medical Board of Australia (administered by AHPRA) recognises three:

Standard Pathway — AMC MCQ + AMC Handbook AI RolePlay. Used by the majority of IMGs without specialist qualifications. This page focuses on this pathway.
Competent Authority Pathway — for doctors fully registered in the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, or New Zealand. Bypasses AMC exams but still requires AHPRA process and a period of supervised practice.
Specialist Pathway — for IMGs with overseas specialist qualifications (consultant-equivalent). Application is to the relevant Australian college (RACP, RACS, RACGP, ACEM, etc.) for assessment as "substantially comparable" or "partially comparable".

Standard Pathway — the 9 steps

Follow these in order. Some can run in parallel (English testing and EPIC verification, for example). Use the timelines as realistic, not aspirational.

Step 1 — Confirm eligibility (week 0)

Your primary medical qualification must be from a school listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools and your training must be at least 4 years (typically MBBS or equivalent). Check the AMC and AHPRA websites for current eligibility lists.

Step 2 — Start EPIC verification (months 0–3)

Open an EPIC account at ECFMG and request verification of your primary medical qualification. The university you graduated from will be contacted directly. This step is the slowest variable — some universities respond in 2 weeks, others take 3+ months. Start it before anything else.

Step 3 — English language proficiency (months 1–4)

Sit IELTS Academic (overall 7.0, no band below 7.0) or OET (Grade B in all four components). Native-English IMGs from countries recognised by AHPRA may be exempt; verify your country's status before paying for tests. Plan for one re-sit in your timeline budget — many strong clinicians underestimate Writing.

Step 4 — AMC portfolio & AMC MCQ booking (months 2–5)

Open an AMC portfolio account, link your EPIC verification, upload identity documents and English test results. Once credentials clear, you can book AMC MCQ. AMC MCQ is held in test windows (typically 4 per year) at Pearson VUE centres globally.

Step 5 — Pass AMC MCQ (months 4–10)

Allow 4–8 months of focused preparation between booking and sitting. Most IMGs sit AMC MCQ between months 8 and 12 of their total timeline. Pass mark is set by modified Angoff standard-setting; results release 4–6 weeks after the test window closes. See the AMC MCQ deep-dive guide for the full study schedule.

Step 6 — Pass AMC Handbook AI RolePlay / MCAT (months 10–18)

Once AMC MCQ is passed, book AMC Handbook AI RolePlay (MCAT). AMC Handbook AI RolePlay is in-person at the AMC's Melbourne National Test Centre or approved sites (Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide). Capacity is limited — book the next available slot the moment your AMC MCQ result is released. Allow 3–6 months of clinical roleplay practice.

Step 7 — AHPRA general registration application (months 18–22)

With both AMC parts passed, apply to AHPRA for general registration with conditions (you must be supervised in your first year of Australian practice). Documentation includes: certified ID, AMC certificate, EPIC verification, CV, English results, criminal record check from every country lived in for 6+ months in the past 10 years, and proof of professional indemnity insurance.

Step 8 — Secure internship / first job (months 18–24)

Each state runs its own intern allocation. IMGs are typically in Category 2 or 3 (after domestic graduates), so regional and outer-metro hospitals are the most realistic first roles. Common first roles for IMGs:

Junior House Officer / Intern (PGY1) in a regional or outer-metro hospital.
Resident Medical Officer (RMO / PGY2+) if you already hold equivalent intern experience.
Hospital Medical Officer (HMO) in Victoria, equivalent grade.

Visa: most IMGs enter on a subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) employer-sponsored visa, transitioning to subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme — permanent residency) after 2–3 years.

Step 9 — Specialist training / fellowship (years 2–8+)

Once you have completed an Australian intern year and 1–2 RMO years, you can apply to a specialist college training program. Major colleges include:

RACGP / ACRRM — General Practice (3–4 years).
RACP — Internal Medicine, Paediatrics (basic + advanced training, 6+ years).
RACS — Surgery (5+ years SET program).
ACEM — Emergency Medicine (5+ years).
RANZCP — Psychiatry (5 years).
RANZCOG — Obstetrics & Gynaecology (6 years).
ANZCA — Anaesthesia (5 years).
RANZCR — Radiology / Radiation Oncology (5 years).

Realistic timelines (year-by-year)

Year 1: EPIC verification, English test, AMC MCQ study and pass.
Year 2: AMC Handbook AI RolePlay prep and pass, AHPRA application, first job offer.
Year 2–3: Australian intern year (PGY1) under supervision.
Year 3–5: RMO years, exam prep for college entry (e.g., RACP basic training entry, RACS GSSE, RACGP entry assessment).
Year 4–10: Specialist training; final fellowship exam; consultant role.

Most IMGs complete the licensing portion (steps 1–7) in 18–30 months. Specialty training adds 3–8 years, depending on the college.

Visa & permanent residency

The two visa subclasses most IMGs use:

Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage): employer-sponsored, valid up to 4 years. Family included as dependents. Allows full-time medical work.
Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme): permanent residency. Eligible after 2–3 years on 482 with the same employer (or via direct entry stream for some specialties).

Regional rural roles often have additional incentives: relocation allowances, accelerated PR, and DPA (Distribution Priority Area) classification benefits.

Common detours and how to avoid them

EPIC stuck for months — start it on day one and follow up your university registrar weekly.
Failing the English Writing band — practise healthcare-style writing weekly even before you book.
Failing AMC MCQ by 1–2 marks — almost always means insufficient practice volume; minimum 3,000 MCQs is non-negotiable.
Failing AMC Handbook AI RolePlay on communication — get examiner-grade feedback after every roleplay; do not just rack up volume.
No internship offer in metro — apply to regional and rural hospitals; they are excellent training and accelerate your PR.
Missing visa lodgement deadlines — engage a registered migration agent the moment you have a job offer.

How Mostly Medicine helps at every step

AMC MCQ question bank with 4,400+ MCQs and analytics targeting weak areas.
AMC Handbook AI RolePlay scenarios with examiner-grade feedback against AMC marking domains.
Australian medical job tracker — RMO pools, GP pathway, intern recruitment by state.
IMG CV builder tailored to Australian recruitment formats.
Reference library with searchable Murtagh, RACGP Red Book, and AMC Handbook summaries.

Start your AMC journey free →

Frequently asked questions

How long does the full pathway take?

18–30 months from EPIC start to AHPRA registration. Add an intern year and 1–2 RMO years before specialty training. Total to consultant: 5–10 years.

Do I need internship even with overseas experience?

Most IMGs require a 12-month supervised practice period equivalent to internship, though credit may be granted for substantial prior experience.

What is EPIC?

Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials, run by ECFMG. Verifies your primary medical qualification with the issuing university. Required before AMC.

IELTS or OET?

Both accepted. OET is healthcare-specific and often easier for clinicians; IELTS is more widely available globally.

What is the difference between the three pathways?

Standard = AMC route (most IMGs). Competent Authority = direct from UK/Ireland/US/Canada/NZ. Specialist = direct college assessment for overseas-trained specialists.

How do I get an internship in Australia?

Apply via state-specific intern campaigns. IMGs are typically allocated after domestic graduates, so regional placements are the most realistic entry point.

Can my family come with me?

Yes — spouses and dependent children join on the same visa stream. Public schools and Medicare-equivalent care available.