Medical Registration
One of the most important aspects on deciding where you can work is to ensure that you are eligible to gain professional registration to allow you to work in your chosen field. Different countries have different regulations, so it is important to check this out before you make any decisions. Here is some information to help you get started:
Australia
Registration requirements in Australia vary between each State and Territory, and are also dependant on whether you are applying for a specialist or non-specialist position.
The first step in the process is to confirm your eligibility with the Australian Medical Council. There are several pathways for gaining AMC Certification, which is required to gain State registration:
- Competent Authority Pathway (non specialist)
- Standard Pathway (non specialist)
- Full Specialist pathway (specialist)
- Area of Need Specialist (specialist)
Full details of these, and future, pathways are available on the AMC website. For advice on which pathway best suits your needs, please contact our experienced consultants today. Once you have confirmed your eligibility under these AMC pathways, and have secured a position then you can apply for your registration with the relevant State authority, which will allow you to commence working in that location.
New Zealand
The Medical Council of New Zealand is the sole registration authority for medical practitioners in New Zealand. They are responsible for the registration and ongoing licensing of Doctors across the country.
There are 3 main categories of registration in New Zealand:
- Registration in a General Scope of Practice (non specialist)
- Registration in a Vocational Scope of Practice (specialist)
- Registration within a Special Scope of Practice (various)
Each of these scopes of practice offer several different pathways through to gaining your registration, and are suitable for different purposes.
For advice on which pathway is best suited to your situation, please contact our experienced consultants to discuss this further.
English Language Requirements:
If English is not your first language then it will be a requirement for both Australia and New Zealand registration that you demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively in English. In Australia this requires that any applicant who intends to practice medicine must achieve a score of no less than 7.0 in each module of the IELTS Academic Version, within 2 years from your intended registration date; or alternatively passing the OET test in Australia with no less than a B grade in all categories. This must be achieved in a single attempt.
Some exemptions may be approved; however this is not a common occurrence.
To view the full English Language Policy for Australia please click here.
In New Zealand it is a requirement that anyone whose first language is not English is able to comprehend and communicate effectively in English within the medical workplace. As such this must be demonstrated by achieving a suitable score in the IELTS Academic version. Currently there are 2 differing requirements depending on when the test was taken:
If taken before 1 February 2009:
The applicant must have achieved an overall score no less than 7.5, with no less than 7.0 in each of the 4 categories; or
If taken after 1 February 2009: The applicant must have scored no less than:
- 7.5 in Speaking
- 7.5 in Listening
- 7.0 in Reading
- 7.0 in Writing
Some exemptions do apply for candidates who have worked in English speaking locations for extended periods immediately prior to gaining registration. For details please visit the Medical Council of New Zealand Website.
The IELTS is the only accepted English proficiency test by the Medical Council of New Zealand.