New Pathway Now Open for Specialist IMGs

The new AHPRA expedited specialist pathway is available to specialists with qualifications from the UK, Ireland, and New Zealand.

Following the launch of the new pathway on 21st October, we can now share some further information and help answer some of your questions.

Key Points:

• The cost is significantly cheapest: $2,575 ($2,504 for NSW applicants)
• Supervision: You will be supervised for your first six months in Australia
• Processing times for paperwork to be completed will be reduced to 4-6 months rather than 12 months.
• You will get specialist registration on the Expedited Specialist pathway, but you will not get a fellowship.The Medical Board encourages SIMGs to consider applying for fellowship. When you apply, you can give them permission to share your contact details with the relevant specialist medical college. The college can give you information about the process to get fellowship.
• Moratorium: GPs on this pathway will still be subject to the 10-year moratorium unless they meet exemption criteria
• Income: Medicare have confirmed that they will be changing their guidance in relation to the provider number applications. Doctors applying via the Expedited pathway will be able to apply for a specialist provider number and access full VR Specialist rates.

For those just starting on the PEP Specialist Pathway, switching to the AHPRA Expedited Pathway may expedite your entry to Australia. If you’re further along in the PEP process, staying on that pathway could provide more certainty and the benefit of RACGP Fellowship. We are here to help, so if you would like to discuss your options please get in touch with  our friendly team on info@transitionmedical.com   +44 (0) 7983 685945

A New Era in Healthcare

We are delighted to share further information about an exciting development for the healthcare system paving the way for  Specialist International Medical Graduates (SIMGs). Set to launch on 21 October 2024, the new Expedited Specialist Pathway offers a fast-tracked route for eligible internationally qualified medical specialists to begin treating patients in Australia. It is designed to reduce paperwork as long as their qualifications are on a pre-approved list maintained by the Medical Board of Australia.

Who Is Eligible?

Medical specialists with certain qualifications from the United Kingdom, Ireland, and New Zealand will be the first eligible candidates to apply for the pathway.  Other specialist fields such as anaesthetics, obstetrics and gynaecology, and psychiatry will be added to the accepted qualifications list by December 2024.

How Does the Qualifications Assessment Work?

International qualifications are nominated by Australia’s specialist colleges, such as the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). These qualifications are then assessed by the Australian Medical Council (AMC) measuring them against an established framework to ensure they are substantially comparable to local qualifications.

To ensure patient safety, all specialists entering via this new pathway must adhere to the same standards as other medical professionals. These include:

•       English language proficiency
•       Criminal history checks
•       Recency of practice requirements

International specialists on this pathway will undergo a six-month supervised period, an orientation to the Australian healthcare system, and mandatory cultural safety education.

Why Was This Pathway Developed?

The Expedited Specialist Pathway is one of the key recommendations from the Kruk Review,  to alleviate pressure on the healthcare workforce by allowing competent, qualified SIMGs to integrate more efficiently into the system.

The traditional Specialist Pathway, which requires individual college assessments, will remain in place for those SIMGs who do not qualify for the Expedited Pathway. Transition arrangements are also available for SIMGs already on the Specialist Pathway who may be eligible for the new expedited process.

What is still to be confirmed?

Although Ahpra have released further information we are still awaiting confirmation of  new pathway fees and processing times. there are also queries around fellowship and how this new system will integrate with Medicare.

Once further guidance is released we will share it on our website.

Conclusion

The introduction of the Expedited Specialist Pathway marks a significant milestone in how international medical specialists are integrated into the Australian healthcare system. By reducing paperwork and streamlining the application processes.

Further reading

AHPRA Release Fast Track Pathway 14th Oct 2024

RACGP PEP Pathway

GP Salary Australia – How much can you earn

When Will the New AHPRA Pathway Be Released?

The Medical Board of Australia (AHPRA) announced in April this year that they would be introducing a new fast-track registration process for internationally trained specialists like GPs, anaesthetists, obstetricians, and psychiatrists.

There has been a news release in September from AHPRA stating that this new pathway, initially prioritising GPs, is on track to open in October, however subject to Ministerial approval.

This is a potentially exciting initiative which aims to address healthcare shortages by recognising and validating overseas qualifications more quickly, allowing these skilled professionals to start contributing to Australian healthcare sooner.

What Does This Mean for GPs?

It’s difficult to predict what this will mean for GPs and how this may change the current pathway to FRACGP specialist registration however it is anticipated that it should be faster and (hopefully) a cheaper pathway.

It is likely that you will continue to have the requirement to verify documents via the AMC verification process however it will remove the need for the RACGP PEP program and its associated costs. This should then also streamline the Medicare provider number application reducing the processing time.

Until the pathway has been released, we don’t have any further information to share however Transition Medical will be one of the first to know and share how this will affect you.

Should I Wait For the New AHPRA Fast Track Pathway or Apply Now?

This depends on your circumstances and timeframes. If you are eager to get to Australia asap, then I would suggest to continue with current RACGP PEP pathway. Until the new fast track pathway has been approved by Ministers there is no set date for release. There is the possibility that this can be delayed.

If you have time to wait until the end of October then we will know what this means and how to proceed.

Background to the fast track pathway

The new AHPRA fast track pathway is being released in line with recommendations from the Kruk Review into health practitioner regulatory settings which was published in December 2023. The report criticised the lengthy and complex process for overseas trained doctors to enter Australia and published recommendations.

On the back of this report, AHPRA removed the need for overseas trained doctors to undergo an in person identity check in December 2023, allowing GPs to apply for all their paperwork whilst overseas and not wait to start work once they had arrived.

Further Reading

AHPRA Fast Track Pathway

AHPRA Update

RACGP PEP Pathway

FAQs Moving to Australia

Your PEP Specialist Pathway Journey

Introduction

Supervision and Membership Requirements

Supervised Practice

Educational Activities

Workplace Based Assessments

These help to assess your competence and include areas such as clinical information-gathering and interpretation,
making a diagnosis, decision-making and reasoning, clinical management and therapeutic reasoning. You will complete these while completing your training program.

If you’re a GP thinking about relocating to Australia, you may have many questions. This may be early stages of thinking or you might be ready to move and want to find out more.

Here we answer your most frequent questions regarding working as a GP in Australia

Where can I work? –  All overseas trained GPs are required to work in an areas which is Distribution Priority Area (DPA). This is in place for the first 10 years of your medical registration and you may hear it as your ’10 year moratorium.’

All the GP jobs on our website are suitable for you to apply. The areas where we find jobs are around Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra, Brisbane, Tasmania, the Central Coast and regional cities such as Busselton, Broome and Rockhampton.  Check out the workforce locator map here to check the geographical classification of any location in Australia.

How long are the contracts? – Generally 2 years, some more rural practices may consider 12 months. 

What is the Expedited Specialist Pathway? – The expedited Specialist pathway is for specialist international medical graduates (SIMGs) with an international specialist medical qualification in General Practice. This offers a fast-tracked process, as you can apply directly to AHPRA  for specialist registration without having to undergo a separate specialist college assessment.

What is the Practice Experience Program (PEP) Specialist Stream? It provides a pathway for international medical graduates with overseas specialist qualifications to gain Fellowship with the RACGP. Please visit the PEP Specialist Stream webpage for more details.

Will I still get specialist registration? Yes, depends on which pathway you choose as to when. On PEP  once all Fellowship requirements have been met. On Expedited pathway you will receive it from registration.

What is WBA? – Workplace Based Assessment- completed approximately 6 months from commencing employment, provides a framework for evaluating performance and progress in practice. 

What’s does the PEP pathway to Fellowship look like? 

Do I need to sit exams on the PEP Pathway?

If you are considering a move or just want to chat through options we have a dedicated team who will guide you through every step of the whole process. Visit our latest GP jobs or contact us directly for more information. 

How long does the paperwork take? – Depending on which pathway you take, we advise allowing around 6 months for Expedited Specialist Pathway and approximately 9 months from job acceptance to visa approval for PEP Specialist stream pathway.

Do I have to work under supervision? Yes for PEP Pathway, but just for 6 months if you’re substantially comparable. A period of self -reflection, peer review and clinical case analysis. There are no exams if you are substantially comparable.  The expedited Specialist Pathway also includes a six-month period of supervised practice, as well as an orientation covering Australian healthcare and cultural safety.

Will my earnings be affected during supervision? – No, in fact while completing the supervision period, you will have access to the full Medicare rebate (A1 rates) This means you bill the same as a vocationally recognised GP whilst working towards FRACGP.

Further Reading

RACGP 

Medical Board of Australia

DoctorConnect

Find out more about why Perth is so popular

Emma is currently travelling around Australia, visiting the wonderful medical centres to gain insights into where you could be working and what they seek in GP recruits. We’re committed to keeping you informed about easing your transition into Australia general practice.

During our conversations with GP owners and exploring the changing landscape of general practice, one recurring topic was whether GPs coming to Australia needed to have a specific area of interest While its not mandatory, many clinic owners suggested that it would be useful for an incoming GP to have an area of clinical interest to complement their practice.

Let’s discuss this further.

Do you need to have a clinical interest to practise as a GP in Australia?

The short answer is no. Many traditional general practices seek well-rounded GPs with comparable qualifications and experience and a great team fit into the practice. However, some practices view having a clinical interest as a great way to build your patient base and ensure a consistent workload.

Which Clinical interests are beneficial?

Personal Interest: Pursuing a field of medicine you’re passionate about is an excellent starting point.

Community Needs: Local community demands may vary based on practice location and patient demographics.  However, certain clinical areas are generally in demand across Australia, including;

– Women’s Health and the ability to fit coils and implants is highly desirable
– Chronic disease management
– Minor Surgery
– Dermatology
– Mental Health
– Elderly care including Aged care facilities

Don’t limit yourself to these areas, the GPs I spoke to had wide and varied interests from geriatric care to medical cannabis to sports medicine.

Why do I need a specialist interest?

As mentioned, this is not an absolute requirement however having a specialist interest  can complement general practice in several ways:

Improving Healthcare Access: Managing complex cases within the practice reduces pressure on specialist waiting times and can offer more affordable care options for patients.

Reducing the referrals to Specialists: If a patient presents with a particular condition, the practice will refer the GP surgery to the most appropriate doctor. This allows the patient to be treated within the clinic rather than elsewhere.

As patients currently have the choice of GP and can register with more than one GP practice, going to a preferred doctor with an interest in their care benefits both patient and doctor.

How will it help you in GP in Australia?

Increased earning potential

– Many practices have or are moving to a mixed billing setting where they charge some patients and bulk bill others. It is still very common to bulk bill children, pension, and health care holders. In this scenario, the private fees charged for minor surgery, dermatology, fitting coils, etc are much higher.
– When bulk billing a patient, having an interest in aged care or chronic disease management is excellent and will increase your potential by utilising chronic disease care plans where you can charge approx—$ 300 for a consult. Most practices have robust procedures in place for maximising income from these.

Increased Job satisfaction

– Some GP Owners I spoke to really enjoyed the varied aspects of general practice and being able to do a wide range of procedural work as well as standard family medicine kept his day interesting. Another has built his patient base around medicinal cannabis and any surgical work he can safely and competently do in the practice.

– Continuity of Care: For patients with chronic conditions, seeing a GP with a special interest in their specific health concern can be invaluable. It allows for a more streamlined and personalised approach to managing their ongoing needs, fostering a strong doctor-patient relationship.

Building your Patient Base

With the nature of general practice, there is an element of building your patient base which can take between 3 – 6 months. Some practices may have a retiring GP or have had to close their books and are turning patients away. Others may have a huge growth of housing in the area and expect a large increase in patients for your arrival.

In any practice, however, before you arrive, the team will be advertising you as a new doctor. Marketing will be done in the local area to let the patients know you are available for appointments. This can be greatly enhanced if you have any area of interest to complement the team and attract patients who need your specialist care. I found it useful having chats with the Australian doctors (many of whom are UK-trained and have made the transition) and getting their insights into ways to manage your practice in Australia.

Conclusion

Transitioning to general practice in Australia offers autonomy in managing your workload and patient care. Conversations with Australian doctors, many of whom underwent similar transitions, provided valuable insights into navigating the Australian healthcare landscape.

If you would like to find out more or have a chat, please get in touch +44 7983 685945,

You can check out our latest GP Jobs here