The Australian Medical Council (AMC) is an independent national standards body for medical education and training. Its purpose is to ensure that the health of the Australian community is promoted and protected by the standards of education, training and assessment of the medical profession.
As the verifications authority of Australia, the AMC is responsible for maintaining a qualifications portal which is used by the Medical Board of Australia for registration purposes. The AMC administers exams to determine the training and qualification equivalents of those medical professionals trained outside Australia.
What is the AMC test?
Overseas trained doctors whose medical qualifications are not recognised in Australia undergo the AMC exams to assess their clinical skills and medical knowledge for registration purposes. The AMC examinations test knowledge, clinical competence, professional attitudes and performance. There are two sections to the AMC exams: MCQ and Clinical Exam.
The AMC MCQ test is an online multiple-choice test delivered in one 3.5 hour session and is accessible via examination centres internationally. Candidates have a period of 12 months in which to sit the MCQ examination following application.
After passing the MCQ, doctors are eligible to undertake the AMC Clinical Exam which tests performance in a controlled environment. The AMC Clinical Exam is an assessment of clinical skills in medicine, surgery, obstetrics, gynaecology, paediatrics and psychiatry. The exams are held in Melbourne, Perth and Townsville with dates available on both weekdays and Saturdays throughout the year. There is no time limit between passing the MCQ AMC exam and taking the AMC Clinical Exam.
Do I need to take it?
If you are an international medical graduate whose qualifications are from an institute outside of Australia or New Zealand, and you wish to seek registration to practice medicine in Australia, you must provide evidence of eligibility to undertake one of three AMC assessment pathways. International medical graduates who have a primary qualification in medicine and surgery awarded by a training institution recognised by the AMC are eligible to apply for AMC assessment.
International medical graduates are required to firstly submit medical qualifications directly to the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials (EPIC) for verification. The next step is to establish an AMC portfolio which includes uploading ID documents. Once you are assigned an AMC candidate number, you may proceed with the AMC examinations process.
For more information on what is the AMC test, contact the Australian Medical Council.