How Do Doctors from India and Pakistan Become Doctors in Australia?
Doctors trained in India, Pakistan, Egypt, Nigeria, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and most other countries reach Australian medical registration through the AMC Standard Pathway. The route is: have your primary medical qualification verified, pass the AMC computer-administered MCQ examination, then either pass the AMC clinical examination or complete a Workplace-Based Assessment (WBA), obtain registration with AHPRA, and complete a period of supervised practice. This page maps the end-to-end journey so you know exactly where you are and what comes next.
The Standard Pathway is the route used by the largest global IMG population — it applies to any doctor whose training country is not on the Competent Authority or Specialist recognition lists. It is longer than the UK/Ireland Competent Authority route, but it is well-trodden and fully published by the regulators.
The five stages at a glance
| Stage | What happens | Who runs it |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Primary source verification | Your medical degree is verified directly with the issuing university | AMC via EPIC (ECFMG) |
| 2. AMC MCQ (CAT) exam | Multiple-choice exam of medical knowledge | AMC |
| 3. Clinical assessment | AMC Clinical Exam or a Workplace-Based Assessment | AMC / accredited sites |
| 4. AHPRA registration | Apply for limited or provisional registration | AHPRA / Medical Board |
| 5. Supervised practice | Work under supervision until requirements are met | Your employer + Medical Board |
Stage 1 — Primary source verification and English
Before anything else, the AMC requires your primary medical qualification to be verified at the source — confirmed directly with the university that issued it, not from a copy you provide. This is handled through the EPIC system operated by ECFMG. Start this early; verification timelines depend on how quickly your university responds.
You also need to demonstrate English language proficiency to the standard set by the Medical Board of Australia. Accepted tests and the required scores are published on the Board's English language skills registration standard page. For a deeper look at accepted tests and exemptions, see English test requirements for IMGs.
Stage 2 — The AMC MCQ (CAT) examination
The AMC MCQ examination — delivered as a Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) — assesses your medical knowledge across the core disciplines (medicine, surgery, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, and population health). It is delivered at test centres and via remote proctoring in many countries, so most candidates sit it before relocating to Australia.
Passing the MCQ is the gateway to the clinical stage. We cover format, eligibility, preparation, and retake rules in detail in the AMC MCQ / CAT exam guide. Current examination fees are published on the AMC website — confirm the figure there, as it is reviewed periodically.
Stage 3 — Clinical assessment: AMC Clinical Exam or Workplace-Based Assessment
After passing the MCQ, you complete the clinical component by one of two routes:
Option A — AMC Clinical Examination
A structured, multi-station clinical examination assessing history-taking, examination, communication, and management. Places are limited and demand is high, so waiting times can be significant. Details are on the AMC clinical examination pages.
Option B — Workplace-Based Assessment (WBA)
Instead of sitting the clinical exam, you can be assessed on the job at an AMC-accredited WBA site (typically a hospital or health service). Your performance is assessed against AMC standards across a defined period of supervised clinical work. This route requires you to have secured a position at an accredited site and is popular because it lets you earn while completing the requirement.
Either route, once passed, leads to the AMC Certificate.
Stage 4 — AHPRA registration
With your clinical assessment complete (or, for some roles, after the MCQ with a job offer in hand), you apply to AHPRA for registration. Most Standard Pathway IMGs hold limited or provisional registration before progressing to general registration. The exact category depends on your stage and the position you are entering.
The application is document-heavy: identity, qualifications, certificate of good standing from every regulator you have been registered with, English evidence, and more. We have a step-by-step list in the AHPRA application checklist.
Stage 5 — Supervised practice and general registration
Standard Pathway doctors work under supervision for a defined period before becoming eligible for general registration. The supervision level and duration are set by the Medical Board based on your assessment and role. During this time you also become subject to the Medicare billing rules that affect almost every IMG.
Two regulatory mechanisms shape where and how you can work in these early years:
- Section 19AA restricts Medicare billing to GPs who are vocationally registered or on an approved training/placement program — see Section 19AA explained.
- Section 19AB restricts where you can bill Medicare for your first 10 years — see Section 19AB explained.
You can begin some forms of work while registration is being finalised — read working while your AHPRA application is pending for what is and is not permitted.
How long does the whole pathway take?
Honestly, it varies widely — driven by exam waiting times, WBA site availability, and how quickly source verification completes. Rather than quote a single number, we have built a stage-by-stage map you can use to estimate your own timeline: see the Standard AMC pathway timeline and the broader AMC Standard Pathway guide.
Becoming a GP after registration
Many Standard Pathway IMGs ultimately want to become a Fellowed general practitioner (FRACGP or FACRRM). After you are registered and working, programs such as the RACGP Practice Experience Program (PEP) and the Fellowship Support Program (FSP) recognise your accumulated Australian clinical experience toward Fellowship. Specialists in other fields follow the Specialist Pathway.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving source verification too late. It depends on your university's responsiveness and is often the longest single delay. Start at Stage 1.
- Assuming the clinical exam is the only option. The WBA route lets many doctors earn while completing the clinical requirement.
- Underestimating documentation. A certificate of good standing from every regulator you have ever been registered with is mandatory and can take weeks to obtain.
- Ignoring 19AB early. Where you can bill Medicare shapes your first job — understand it before you accept a role.
Explore the full pathway map
Use the interactive pathway explorer to see how each stage connects, or read the AMC Standard Pathway guide for the regulator-by-regulator detail.
Sources: Australian Medical Council · AHPRA · Medical Board of Australia