The RACGP PEP Specialist Pathway

EPIC validates your identity as well as medical credentials, ensuring their authenticity for physicians and organisations globally. Utilising ECFMG’s renowned primary-source verification process, EPIC confirms details such as medical education, training, and registration/licensure. Its web-based platform provides secure, convenient, and efficient services, reflecting the high standards set by ECFMG Certification.

Purpose: Verify your identity and Medical Credentials.  You must nominate the Australian Medical Council (AMC) to receive an EPIC Report for each credential

• Set up your EPIC Account
• Confirm your identity with EPIC
• Upload your required Credentials and nominate the AMC to receive an EPIC report for each credential.
• Record your EPIC ID

For more information on fees and charges

Top Tip: Record your EPIC ID before progressing to the next step

The AMC sets national standards for medical education and assessment to protect the health of the Australian community. It oversees medical education, training, and assessment, setting accreditation standards, evaluating programs and international medical graduates, and collaborates with government bodies to maintain high standards.

Purpose: The AMC will verify all qualifications for the Australian Specialist Colleges and the Medical Board of Australia 

Timeframe: 2 weeks

Cost: AMC Account AUD $642.00 | Additional Qualifications AUD $107.00

Useful Links:

• Review the AMC Candidate Account Guide

• Set up your online AMC portfolio

• Fees and Charges

Top Tip: You will be unable to progress through Step 2 or Step 3 without an AMC Portfolio

Purpose: To practice as a health practitioner in Australia, you need to prove your English proficiency to ensure safe practice.

To qualify for initial registration, you must demonstrate English proficiency through one of the following methods:

• English is your primary language, and you completed all your primary and secondary education, as well as tertiary qualifications in the relevant professional discipline in English in a recognised country, or

• You have a combination of secondary education and tertiary qualifications, including at least two years of secondary education and tertiary qualifications, all taught and assessed solely in English, in a recognised country, or

• You have completed at least six years of continuous education, including tertiary qualifications, taught, and assessed solely in English in any recognised country, to support your eligibility for registration under the National Law, or

• You meet the specific test score requirements in one of the following English language exams. The below English language tests are accepted by AHPRA. For more information about the tests, please refer to the providers website linked below

For more information view:

Registration Standard: English Language Skills

The Medical Board of Australia will accept two test sittings within a 12-month period, provided that they meet the minimum score requirement outlined in the Registration Standard.

Top Tip: Book your test as soon as possible. If you have already completed your test, is it still valid?

The PEP Specialist Stream offers international General Practitioners an opportunity to have their curriculum, training, examinations, and experience assessed in comparison to that of an Australian Specialist.

Purpose: To be assessed by the college as either substantially or partially comparable on the PEP Specialist Pathway, based on your qualifications and experience

Timeframe: 10 weeks

Cost:

For more information access RACGP Fees and Charges

Top Tip: Contact DXC before you start searching for a job. Comparability assessment results are valid for one year from the outcome letter date and extensions are rarely provided if you have not commenced the program within 12 months

Purpose: To obtain approval of your proposed position in Australia, including practice and supervisor information

Timeframe: 2-3 weeks

• DXC Medical will assist you with securing an appropriate job offer that meets the requirements for a 3GA program provider number

• Part B will open in your PEP Specialist Stream application platform once eligible. You and your new employer will need to provide information relating to your proposed job offer, work hours/locations, supervisor, scope of practice, and practice accreditation

• RACGP assessors will then review the submission

• Upon approval of your job offer, you are eligible to apply for AHPRA medical registration

Top Tip:  While you are awaiting your Part B approval is an ideal time to start collating your supporting documents for Step 3

AHPRA provides guidance and support to overseas trained doctors throughout their medical registration process to ensure they meet the necessary requirements to practice medicine in the Australian healthcare system.

Purpose: To gain provisional or limited medical registration

Timeline: 8-12 weeks

Top Tip: You are required to complete Part A of your AHPRA form. Part B will be completed by DXC Medical and Part C will be completed by your practice.

• Create an AHPRA account
• Discuss with your consultant the requirements to be completed for your level of registration.
• You will need to submit your CV as part of your AHPRA application, please follow the standard AHPRA format to meet AHPRA guidelines.
• You are required to have supporting documents translated in English and certified:
  • Certified copy of foreign passport
  • Certified copies of 2 of the following: birth certificate, driver’s license, identity card and/or marriage certificate
  • Certified copy of primary medical degree certificate
  • Certified copy of internship certificate
  • Certified copy of specialist qualification and/or advanced training certificate
  • Certified copy of English language test (if expired)
  • Download your PDF instructions for proof of identity requirements: Outside Australia and certifying documents
• You will need to complete an International Criminal History Check for every country you have lived in for 6 months or more since your 18^th
• Apply for your Certificate of Good Standing (CoGS) or Certificate of Registration Status (CoRS) as soon as your AHPRA application has been submitted as they expire after 3 months.

For more information Fees and Charges

• Your application will be assessed against registration standards to verify your eligibility.
• Send your completed documentation to a member of our Compliance Team for review, it will then be returned to you for uploading to AHPRA.

A visa is required to work in Australia primarily to regulate immigration and ensure that individuals entering the country for employment purposes meet certain criteria and adhere to relevant laws and regulations.

Purpose: Gain temporary working rights within Australia.

Timeline: 4 - 12 weeks depending on circumstances

• Speak to our consultants to determine which visa options would suit your needs with Department of Home Affairs
• The primary method for doctors to migrate to Australia is via the medium-term stream (2-4 years) Skills in Demand Visa (subclass 482), which requires sponsorship from an Australian medical practice.
• Visa nomination costs are covered by your sponsoring medical clinic.
• Visa application costs are covered by the applicant. These costs vary depending on the family members travelling with you.
• DXC Medical recommends using migration lawyers to assist with your visa process:
  • Longton Migration – Maria Rodriguez

Top Tip: If you are a citizen of the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland, then you may be eligible for Medicare (public health insurance) under the Reciprocal health Care schemes. If you are not eligible for Medicare or require additional coverage, then you will need to secure private health insurance to meet your visa requirements. We suggest using iselect.com.au or doctorshealthfund.com.au

Purpose: Accept your position in the PEP Specialist Stream and apply for your Medicare provider number and prescriber number.

Timeline: 8-10 weeks

• Provide evidence of your AHPRA medical registration and approved visa to the RACGP. The RACGP will assess your application and email you directly with your outcome and next steps.
• You will be issued your program agreement to sign, and program invoice to pay. You will also need to become a financial member of the RACGP and provide evidence of completing your Basic Life Support course (BLS) within twelve months prior to applying into the PEP Specialist Stream. If you have not completed a recognised BLS course, once you arrive in Australia you will have 3 months to complete one.
• Once the RACGP have received receipt of you completing the necessary requirements our Compliance Team will issue you your provider number application form.
• Our Compliance Team will assist in providing additional practice information required for completion of your provider number application. After you submit your application to the RACGP, you’ll be notified when they send it to Medicare for processing.
• When your provider number has been issued, you will receive a letter confirming your placement approval directly from Medicare Australia. The letter will outline your provider number, prescriber number, placement address, start date and end date of your placement (if applicable). It can take up to 28 business days for your provider number to be issued.