The Medical Board of Australia (the Board) is making changes to the specialist pathway for international medical graduates (IMGs) recognised as specialists in their country of origin. The changes are aimed at streamlining the assessment process for IMGs. The specialist pathway includes specialist recognition (comparability assessment) and assessment for suitability for an Area of Need position.
Under the changes, instead of submitting an application form to the AMC, the IMG will apply directly to the relevant specialist medical college on a college specific application form (which will be available on each college website).
The specialist medical college dealing with the assessment will contact the IMG directly to advise the outcome of the assessment.
The AMC will continue to undertake primary source verification of an IMG’s qualifications through the ECFMG International Credentials Services (EICS). Applicants applying via the specialist pathway will be required to lodge an application for primary source verification via the AMC prior to lodging their application to the relevant college.
The changes commence on 1 July 2014.
Any new applications sent to the AMC after 1 July 2014 will be returned to the applicant to re-submit directly to the relevant specialist medical college using the college application form.
Further information will be available on this website in the coming months.
(source AMC March 2014)