How Long Does the Standard AMC Pathway Take?

The Standard AMC pathway is the registration route for IMGs who have none of the exams or programs the Medical Board recognises for the Competent Authority pathway. An Indian, Pakistani or other non-UK graduate who passed PLAB and completed 12 months of supervised practice in the UK (or equivalent) is on the Competent Authority pathway, not the Standard pathway. It takes about 24–30 months from first exam sitting to general registration if each exam is passed first time; longer with re-sits, depending on exam performance and how quickly you can complete supervision.

The four stages

Stage 1 — AMC Part 1

Part 1 is a 150-question multiple choice examination testing basic and clinical medical sciences. It is delivered at Pearson VUE test centres globally, so you can sit it from your home country before arriving in Australia.

The pass rate per sitting has historically been around 50–60% (see the AMC's published statistics). Many candidates require two or more attempts. Each attempt involves a new sitting fee, preparation time, and — critically — additional months before you can proceed to Part 2.

Key variable: how many Part 1 attempts you need is the biggest factor in total pathway length. Candidates who pass first time are typically ready for Part 2 within 6–9 months of starting preparation. Candidates who need three attempts may spend 2+ years on Part 1 alone.

Stage 2 — AMC Part 2 (Clinical)

Part 2 is a structured clinical skills examination conducted at AMC-approved venues in Australia. It tests communication, history taking, physical examination, and clinical reasoning across a series of timed stations.

Part 2 is only offered a limited number of times each year. Failing a sitting and waiting for the next available date can add No waiting time published by the AMC (booking windows per exam release) per attempt. Candidates must typically travel to Australia to sit Part 2, or be already resident.

Stage 3 — AHPRA registration

You must pass AMC Part 1 (the CAT MCQ) before you can apply for any registration. With Part 1 alone you can apply for limited registration (for postgraduate training or supervised practice, or area of need); only once you hold limited registration can you complete the clinical component through an AMC-accredited workplace-based assessment (WBA) provider instead of Part 2. Once both AMC parts are passed (the AMC Certificate), you apply to AHPRA for provisional registration. You will also need:

• An approved supervisor and practice location confirmed
• For a general practice position, a PESCI (pre-employment structured clinical interview) for that specific position, arranged before you apply
• English proficiency evidence (if not from an English-speaking country)
• Identity verification documents
• Criminal history check

AHPRA typically processes complete provisional registration applications within 4–6 weeks, and recommends applying at least 8 weeks before your intended start date. Incomplete applications take longer — missing a single certified document can restart the clock.

Stage 4 — Supervised practice

Provisional registration requires practice under an approved supervisor. For general practice (GP), this is typically 12 months. Supervision levels work identically to the CA pathway: most IMGs with recent full-scope clinical experience start at Level 3 (independent practice, supervisor available remotely). See the supervision level guide for detail.

Medicare billing under your own provider number begins at the start of supervised practice — not after general registration. The 19AB restriction applies to Standard AMC doctors in exactly the same way as to CA pathway doctors.

Realistic total timelines

Best case — pass each exam first attempt, preparation done in advance:

• Part 1 preparation + sitting: 6 months
• Part 2 preparation + sitting: 3–6 months
• AHPRA application processing: 4–6 weeks
• Supervised practice: 12 months
• These add up to about 22–26 months. Our pathway data allows about 24–30 months in total, because exam dates and finding a supervised position rarely line up exactly

Typical case — one re-sit on Part 1 or Part 2:

• Total: 3–4 years

Challenging case — multiple re-sits:

• Total: 4–5+ years

How this compares to the Competent Authority pathway

The Competent Authority pathway is available to doctors who passed a recognised exam or program (PLAB, a UK or Irish degree, USMLE or COMLEX, LMCC or NZREX) plus the supervised experience that goes with it. Specialist college membership is not required. For eligible doctors the CA pathway bypasses both AMC exams entirely — see the CA pathway timeline guide for comparison.

For doctors not eligible for the CA pathway, the Standard AMC pathway is the primary route. There is no exemption from AMC assessment for non-CA country doctors — though the clinical component can be completed either through the AMC Clinical Exam or an AMC-accredited Workplace-Based Assessment (WBA) program.

What to do before you arrive in Australia

The most common mistake is arriving in Australia before exam preparation is complete. You cannot work clinically without registration, and you cannot register without passing at least AMC Part 1. The optimal sequence:

1. Sit and pass AMC Part 1 from your home country
2. If possible, sit Part 2 in Australia on a short visit (or plan arrival around a sitting date)
3. Submit your AHPRA application for provisional registration immediately after passing both parts (or, with a position lined up, apply for limited registration after Part 1 and complete the clinical component through WBA)
4. Arrive once provisional registration is imminent or already granted

Source: AMC Examination Handbook ↗ · AHPRA registration types