Laws introduced in 2013 stated that doctors had to pass the clinical exam within three years. Some doctors were granted an extension but the grace period has now ended and the Board is cracking down on implementing the national registration standards for doctors who work in Australia.
The registration standards set out the requirements that all applicants are required to meet in order to be registered. The Medical Board of Australia states that a workforce shortage meant that previously, pathways were arranged to enable overseas trained doctors to work in Australian general practice and in some hospitals without being required to sit any local exams.
The Board acknowledges that doctors who have failed the exam may not have received sufficient support or had insufficient time to study while also working in Australia but believe that the individual doctors are responsible for ensuring they are prepared to undertake the exam.
Some of the doctors who have been deregistered have chosen to return to their country of origin. Others are re-training to find alternative work in Australia or taking early retirement if eligible.
Deregistration of long-term doctors not supported by rural communities
Around 3000 overseas trained doctors are currently practising in areas of need around Australia. Some of the doctors who are being forced to undertake the MBA’s clinical exam have spent up to a decade working in rural areas. Many senior supervising doctors do not support the reforms and say the exam does not reflect competency. They believe their overseas trained colleagues are sufficiently qualified and are also valued members of the community.
The Australian Country Party has publicly condemned deregistration of overseas trained rural doctors who fail to pass the exam, stating that it will further impact the already grave shortage of doctors in rural areas. The Party argues that the decision to deregister doctors who fail the exam shows little regard for how it will impact rural communities.