POLICY DOCUMENT

INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL GRADUATES: REQUIREMENTS FOR

UNDERTAKING PHYSICIAN TRAINING IN AUSTRALIA POLICY

Policy Number: EDU-OTP-2

Policy Area: Overseas Trained Doctors (OTDs)

Recommending Committee: Expert Advisory Group on Overseas Trained Physicians

Contact Officer: Stream Leader, OTP Assessment Unit

Approval Details: OTP EAG: 24 April 2009, CEC: 26 June 2009

Date Effective: January 2010

Date of Next Review: June 2010

Superseded documents: N/A

Related Policies: Recognition of Prior Learning

1. Overview:

1.1. Eligibility to undertake physician training in Australia is dependent upon a number of

factors including previous training and experience, residency status, and eligibility for
registration with the State and Territory Medical Boards.
1.2. This policy defines the eligibility criteria for International Medical Graduates (IMGs)
wishing to undertake an RACP training program in Australia in order to gain Fellowship
of the College (Division, Faculty, or Chapter).
1.3. The policy also outlines the requirements for RACP endorsement of Specified training
programs for IMGs wishing to undertake a period of physician training to enhance their
expertise and experience without joining a College training program or gaining
Fellowship.
1.4. In addition to RACP requirements IMGs wishing to undertake physician training in
Australia need to comply with immigration, Australian Medical Council, and
State/Territory Medical Board conditions which fall outside the jurisdiction of the
College. Further information should be sought directly from these agencies.

2. Background and Purpose:

2.1. The College is committed to facilitating access to physician training opportunities in

Australia for suitably qualified International Medical Graduates.
2.2. The College also has an obligation to consumers and stakeholders to maintain and
ensure patient safety. To this end the College must ensure that IMGs undertaking
College-approved physician training programs in Australia have demonstrated a level
of competence in terms of medical knowledge, clinical skills and attitudes that is
appropriate to the training program to be undertaken.
2.3. The purpose of this policy is to clarify the requirements for IMGs wishing to undertake
College-approved physician training in Australia, either as an RACP trainee or under
the Specified training pathway.
2.4. IMGs that commenced in an RACP training program (Division, Faculty, or Chapter), or
a College-approved Specified training program prior to January 2010 and who are
current RACP trainees will not be required to comply with this policy and will therefore
not be disadvantaged by new policy requirements.

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3. The Policy:

3.1 Requirements to join an RACP Physician Training Program

3.1.1 Australian Medical Council Certificate

IMGs wishing to join an RACP training program after January 2010 must first have been
assessed by the Australian Medical Council (AMC) as being competent to practice
medicine in Australia and must provide evidence of satisfactory completion of the AMC
Certificate.

3.1.2 Other Training Program Entry Criteria

All prospective RACP trainees (including IMGs) must satisfy the eligibility criteria detailed in
the general program requirements policy for the particular training program applied for
(refer appropriate policy). Such criteria may include current medical registration, required
postgraduate experience and employment in a College-approved training position.

3.1.3 Recognition of Prior Learning

IMGs that have completed some physician training either overseas or in Australia or New
Zealand may be eligible to apply for recognition of prior learning in accordance with the
RACP Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy in order to gain appropriate credit
towards completion of an RACP training program. The requirements and procedures for
application are detailed the RPL policy (currently underdevelopment).

3.2 Applications for RACP endorsement of Specified training for IMGs not undertaking a
College training program

Application Requirements
3.2.1 IMGs seeking to undertake a period of Specified training to enhance their
experience and expertise without joining a College training program may do so under a
range of visa categories. In such cases the College acts as an agent for the Australian
Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship to formally endorse the proposed
training program for an individual IMG. The role of the RACP is to assess the qualifications
and experience of the IMG applicant in relation to the position description and training
program provided by the sponsoring hospital/training facility and then to advise the
hospital/training facility and State/Territory Medical Board of the outcome. The medical
boards require this advice from the College to assist in deciding on the eligibility of the IMG
for registration on the Specialist Pathway.

3.2.2 From January 2010, in order to consider endorsing applications for Specified
training the following documentation must be provided to the College by the
employer/sponsor in hard copy (either original or certified copies as appropriate):

3.2.2.1 Letter from the hospital/training facility employing the IMG outlining their
request
3.2.2.2 Where relevant a completed Medical Board employer/sponsor
nomination form for IMG applying for registration to undertake Specified
training for relevant State/Territory Medical Board
3.2.2.3 Position description
3.2.2.4 Curriculum vitae of the applicant
3.2.2.5 Statement from the overseas specialist college/body awarding the
specialist qualification, or with whom the applicant is a trainee in the
country of training
a) Confirming the applicant’s trainee status with the college/body
b) Outlining the content, structure and length of the training
program
c) Confirming that the applicant is no more than 2 years from
completing their specialist training
d) Confirming that the applicant has passed a basic specialist
examination or satisfactorily
e) Completed substantial training (generally 3 or more years i.e.
PGY 5); and identifying the objectives and expected outcomes of
the training to be undertaken in Australia
OR

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 a) Confirmation of the applicant’s Specialist Qualification in
their home country.
3.2.2.6 Details of the proposed training program and supervision to be provided.
3.2.2.7 Demonstration of satisfactory English language proficiency, as per the
relevant State and Territory medical board requirements.
3.2.2.8 A signed statement from the applicant that he/she intends to return home
on completion of the training program in Australia (Statement of Intent).
3.2.2.9 Payment of the appropriate assessment fee as per the College schedule
of fees.

3.2.3 Incomplete applications will not be considered until all required documentation and
payment is received by the College.

Application Outcomes
3.2.4 In considering applications for endorsement of Specified training the College may
make one of the following determinations:
3.2.4.1 The RACP confirms that the training position/program is suitable for the applicant.
3.2.4.2 The RACP determines that the training position/program is not suitable for the
applicant and provides reasons for its determination.

Notification of outcome
3.2.5 On completion of assessment of an application the RACP will notify the
employer/sponsor and the relevant medical board of the outcome of the assessment.

Period of Endorsement and Reporting Requirements

3.2.6 Specified training programs cannot be approved for more than two years.
3.2.7 Where the Specified training program exceeds 12 months, nominated supervisors are
required to provide a report to the College after 12 months (using a standard
supervisor report form) confirming that the doctor has performed to a satisfactory
standard.
3.2.8 The College does not usually endorse Specified training programs for IMGs who have
already completed two years of Specified training in Australia. However, applications
for renewal will be considered in special circumstances where there are reasonable
grounds for extending the period of training in Australia for a further period.

3.3 Appeals
The College Appeals process is available to all IMGs assessed against the requirements defined in
this policy.

4. Procedures, forms and supporting documentation:

4.1 The following documents are annexed to this policy document:
a) Procedures: Applications for RACP endorsement of Specified Training
b) Application Form for International Medical Graduate seeking RACP endorsement
of Specified Training.
c) RACP endorsed Specified Training – Standard Supervisor Report Form

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 PROCEDURES
DOCUMENT

APPLICATIONS FOR RACP ENDORSEMENT OF SPECIFIED TRAINING IN AUSTRALIA

Procedure number: PR Number 10-380-2a

Policy this procedure is International Medical Graduates: Requirements for
linked to (if appropriate): undertaking physician training in Australia
Contact Officer: Stream Leader, OTP Unit

Effective as of date: 1 January 2010

Date of Next Review: June 2010

Superseded documents: Not applicable

Related Policies:
Policy for Multi-source Feedback

1. Purpose and scope:

International Medical Graduates (IMGs) seeking to undertake a period of Specified training to enhance their
experience and expertise without joining a College training program may do so under a range of visa
categories. In such cases the College acts as an agent for the Australian Government Department of
Immigration and Citizenship to formally endorse the proposed training program for an individual IMG. The role
of the RACP is to assess the qualifications and experience of the IMG applicant in relation to the position
description and training program provided by the sponsoring hospital/training facility and then to advise the
hospital/training facility and State/Territory Medical Board of the outcome. The medical boards require this
advice from the College to assist in deciding on the eligibility of the IMG for registration on the Specialist
Pathway.

This document details the steps involved in the application process. It should be read in conjunction with the
policy International Medical Graduates: Requirements for undertaking physician training in Australia.

2. Definitions:

2.1 IMG: International Medical Graduate

2.2 OTD: Overseas Trained Doctor

3. The Procedure:

3.1 Step 1: IMG applies directly to hospital/training facility to obtain an appropriate training
program/service position to enable Specified training.

3.2 Step 2: The sponsoring hospital/employer contacts the Department of Immigration and
Citizenship, relevant State/Territory Medical Board, and other relevant agencies to ensure
compliance with regulations for Specified training pathway.

3.3 Step 3: The employer/sponsor submits to the College the completed application form International
Medical Graduate seeking RACP endorsement of Specified Training along with all of the required
documentation as specified under item 3.2.2 in the policy International Medical Graduates:
Requirements for undertaking physician training in Australia, and payment of the scheduled fee.

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3.4 Step 4: An authorised RACP representative assesses the application to ensure that the
required documentation has been provided and to determine whether or not the proposed
program of Specified training is suitable for the applicant (taking into consideration their
qualifications, previous training and postgraduate experience).

The College may seek additional information from the sponsor/employer or relevant parties if
appropriate in order to give the application full consideration.

3.5 Step 5: The authorised RACP representative either confirms that the training position/program
is suitable for the applicant or determines that the training position/program is not suitable for
the applicant and provides reasons for this determination.

3.6 Step 6: The College sends notification of the outcome of the application in writing directly to
the employer/sponsor and the relevant State/Territory Medical Board.

3.7 Step 7: Progress of applications for International Medical Graduates seeking RACP
endorsement of Specified Training can be sought from the OTP Unit by the employer/sponsor.
The College aims to assess such applications within 3 weeks.

3.8 Step 8: The OTD Unit provides regular reports to the relevant OTD sub-committees regarding
outcomes of applications for International Medical Graduate seeking RACP endorsement of
Specified Training.

4. Review

4.1 This procedures document will be reviewed annually by the International Medical Graduate
Expert Advisory Group (EAG).

Version Date Author Approved Sections Details of

by Modified Amendments
1 030609 Rebecca OTP EAG
Udemans
2 230609 Rebecca CEC None
Udemans

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