Doctor without a Competent Authority qualification: your registration pathways compared

My medical degree and training are from a country without a Competent Authority route to Australia. Which registration pathways can I use, and how do they compare?

Standard AMC Pathway

Your quiz result

Traditional pathway requiring AMC examinations

First paid work

about 6–12 months (26–52 weeks)

Registration without supervision conditions

about 20–28 months (86–120 weeks)

Registration and exam costs

$10,723–$13,023 AUDplus US$255 for ECFMG EPIC verification

Medical Board fees from the schedule effective 1 August 2026 (limited registration instead of provisional: $2,233). Excludes visa fees, relocation, living costs and retake fees

Exams and interviews

  • AMC CAT MCQ — Computer adaptive test — $2,920
  • AMC Clinical — Clinical examination — $3,000 in person, $3,400 online
  • PESCI — Pre-employment structured clinical interview — general practice positions only

At the start

Provisional Registration, supervision Level 1–2 (Level 1 typically for at least first ~3 months), can bill Medicare with a provider number

Section 19AB (where you can bill Medicare)

Applies: work in a Distribution Priority Area or with an exemption

Sources

29 official pages

Sorted by time to first paid work. Times run from the fastest scenario to the typical one; your own case can be slower. Figures come from the official pages listed under each pathway. Graph version 36440d4f, eligibility rules version 2.

Not quite your situation?

The quiz asks about your degree, training and experience, then compares the pathways open to you.

Check my eligibility — 2 min →

Other situations: UK GP with a CCT · Irish GP with MICGP and CSCST · Canadian family physician (CCFP) · New Zealand GP with FRNZCGP