Doctors moving to Australia: AMC pathways, English and the clinical exam

The AMC lists five pathways at the time of writing:

• Standard pathway: for IMGs who aren't eligible for the other pathways. The AMC runs the assessments.
• Competent Authority pathway: for doctors who trained or were assessed in certain countries whose systems the Medical Board recognises.
• Specialist pathway: for overseas-trained specialists, assessed for comparability by the relevant specialist college.
• Expedited Specialist pathway: a faster route for specialists with a qualification on the Medical Board's accepted list. At the time of writing it covers specialties including anaesthesia, general practice, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, general medicine, psychiatry and diagnostic radiology, and includes six months of supervised practice.
• Short-term Training in a Medical Specialty: for specialists or trainees coming for a limited period of training.

The AMC says it runs assessments only for the Standard pathway; the Medical Board handles the others. If you're unsure which applies, start with the AMC's pathway pages and the Medical Board's information for IMGs.

The Medical Board's English language skills standard applies to every applicant. Ahpra lists the accepted tests: IELTS Academic, OET, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT and Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency, taken at a test centre. The Medical Board also accepts the NZREX and PLAB tests.

New minimum scores apply to tests taken on or after 23 April 2026. For OET, Ahpra now lists a Speaking minimum of 360. Results generally need to be from the two years before you apply. Check the accepted tests page for all minimum scores, and compare formats in IELTS, PTE or OET?.

1. AMC CAT MCQ exam. A computer-based multiple-choice exam of medical knowledge. You must pass it before the clinical exam.
2. Clinical exam or workplace-based assessment. You either sit the AMC clinical exam or complete workplace-based assessment, which is done while you work under supervision. The AMC website explains the eligibility for each.
3. Registration. With the AMC certificate and the other requirements, you apply to the Medical Board for registration.

Each step has its own fees, booking windows and documentation. Check the AMC website for the current details rather than relying on forum posts, which date quickly.

According to the AMC, the clinical exam has 16 assessed stations plus 4 rest stations. Each station runs for 10 minutes: 2 minutes to read the task and 8 minutes of assessment. Two stations are pilot stations, so 14 are scored, and you pass with a pass score in 9 or more of the 14.

Stations cover history taking, examination, diagnostic formulation and management, including counselling and education, across medicine, surgery, women's health, paediatrics and mental health. The exam can be held in person or online, and the AMC says it prioritises IMGs working in rural and remote areas for online sittings.

• Practise out loud with a timer. Reading cases silently doesn't build the habit of finishing within 8 minutes.
• Use plain language. Simulated patients respond to clear explanations without jargon, and checking understanding is part of good communication.
• Rehearse difficult conversations. Breaking bad news, managing an angry relative and discussing risk are hard to improvise in a second language.
• Learn Australian clinical context. Local terms, referral pathways and how care is organised can differ from where you trained.