MedBA skills assessment: requirements and how to apply

Key facts

Assessment types: Registration pathways for IMGs: Competent Authority (leads to general registration), Standard (AMC exams or workplace-based assessment, leads to general registration), Specialist (college comparability assessment, leads to specialist registration), Expedited Specialist (accepted qualifications list) and Short term training, which does not lead to ongoing registration.
Qualification: All IMGs need a primary qualification in medicine and surgery from a training institution recognised by both the Australian Medical Council (AMC) and the World Directory of Medical Schools. Qualifications are primary source verified through the AMC and ECFMG. Standard pathway applicants must pass the AMC CAT MCQ exam before applying.
Experience: Standard pathway: a completed medical internship (or comparable), then 12 months of supervised practice in Australia (at least 47 weeks full-time equivalent) before general registration. The Board must approve the position and supervision arrangements.
English: Applicants must meet the English language skills registration standard. For tests taken from 23 April 2026, IELTS Academic needs overall 7, with 7 in listening, reading and speaking and 6.5 in writing. OET, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT and Cambridge tests are also accepted, as are NZREX and PLAB for doctors. Results are generally valid for two years.
Main documents: Each pathway has a Board checklist (PDF) listing the documents needed. Applications for supervised practice also include details of a nominated supervisor, a supervised practice plan (SPPA-30) and a declaration form (DFLP-00) completed by the supervisor.
Fee: Schedule effective 1 August 2026 (national fees): application fee for provisional registration for IMGs AUD 773, limited registration AUD 1,131, specialist registration AUD 1,661. Registration fee for provisional registration AUD 543, limited or specialist AUD 1,102. Both fees are paid when applying. AMC, ECFMG and college fees are separate.
Processing time: Ahpra says a complete application from an internationally qualified health practitioner may take four to six weeks before an outcome. Applicants have 30 days to provide outstanding documents, or the application is treated as withdrawn and closed.
Validity: Up to 12 months of provisional registration can be granted. Under the National Law, provisional registration may not be renewed more than two times; after that a new application for provisional registration is needed.
How to apply: Three steps: find the right pathway and registration type (the Board has a self-assessment tool), gather documents using the pathway checklist, then apply for and manage registration in the Ahpra portal. The Board says to wait for Ahpra registration before applying for a visa.

What the Medical Board of Australia assesses

The Department of Home Affairs lists the Medical Board of Australia (MedBA) as the assessing authority for medical occupations (assessing authorities). The Board does this through its registration pathways for international medical graduates (IMGs), meaning doctors who gained their medical qualifications outside Australia or New Zealand. Each pathway involves assessment and has its own eligibility requirements (IMGs). Applications are made through Ahpra, which supports the Board.

Assessment pathways

Competent Authority pathway: for IMGs assessed by an approved competent authority (such as the General Medical Council in the UK or the Medical Council of Canada) who have practised in a competent authority country. No AMC exams. Provisional registration first, then 12 months of supervised practice before general registration (source).
Standard pathway: for IMGs not eligible for the other pathways. Includes the AMC CAT MCQ exam, the AMC clinical exam or a workplace-based assessment, and 12 months of supervised practice (source).
Specialist pathway (specialist recognition): the relevant specialist medical college assesses comparability to an Australian-trained specialist. Outcomes are substantially comparable, partially comparable or not comparable. Supervised practice lasts 3 to 24 months, as set by the college (source).
Expedited Specialist pathway: for specialists whose qualification is on the Board's accepted qualifications list. The listed specialties are anaesthesia, general practice, obstetrics and gynaecology, general paediatrics, general medicine, psychiatry and diagnostic radiology. About six months of supervised practice applies (source).
Short term training in a medical specialty: usually up to 24 months of training. It does not lead to specialist or ongoing registration (source).

Requirements

Primary qualification: a medical degree from an institution recognised by both the AMC and the World Directory of Medical Schools, verified through the AMC and ECFMG (source).
Registration standards: when applying, applicants must meet the English language, recency of practice and criminal history standards (source).
English: an education pathway or an accepted test. For tests taken from 23 April 2026, IELTS Academic needs overall 7 (writing 6.5). PTE Academic needs overall 63 (listening 58, reading 59, writing 60, speaking 76) (accepted tests).
Supervised practice: a Board-approved position and supervisor, with a supervised practice plan submitted with the application (source).
Fees: Board application and registration fees are set out in the schedule effective 1 August 2026 (fees). The AMC, ECFMG and specialist colleges charge their own fees.

How to apply

Find the pathway and registration type, using the Board's self-assessment tool (IMGs).
Arrange primary source verification through the AMC and ECFMG, and complete any exams or college assessment the pathway needs.
Secure a suitable position and gather documents using the pathway checklist.
Apply in the Ahpra portal. The Board accepts applications up to six months before the intended start date and recommends at least three months (source).
After registration is granted, apply for the visa. The Board says a visa application without an Ahpra registration number may be delayed.

Common reasons for delays or unsuitable outcomes

Ahpra says applications are delayed when it has to ask for more information, and outstanding documents must be provided within 30 days or the application is closed. Incomplete health or criminal history information can also delay or lead to refusal of an application (applying for registration). On the Specialist pathway, a "not comparable" college outcome means the applicant is not eligible for that pathway, although a different pathway can be tried (source).

Common questions

Who does the skills assessment for doctors migrating to Australia?

Home Affairs lists the Medical Board of Australia (MedBA) as the assessing authority for medical occupations. Overseas-trained doctors are assessed through the Board's registration pathways, with applications made through Ahpra.

What pathways does the Medical Board of Australia offer international medical graduates?

The Board lists the Competent Authority, Standard, Specialist and Expedited Specialist pathways, plus a Short term training pathway that does not lead to ongoing registration. Each has its own eligibility rules and assessments.

How long does Ahpra registration take for overseas doctors?

Ahpra says a complete application from an internationally qualified practitioner may take four to six weeks before an outcome. The Board recommends applying at least three months before the intended start date.

How much does Medical Board of Australia registration cost for an IMG?

Under the schedule effective 1 August 2026, the application fee for provisional registration for IMGs is AUD 773, plus a registration fee of AUD 543. Limited and specialist registration cost more, and AMC, ECFMG and college fees are separate.

What English test score does the Medical Board of Australia need?

For tests taken from 23 April 2026, IELTS Academic needs an overall 7, with 7 in listening, reading and speaking and 6.5 in writing. OET, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT and Cambridge are also accepted, and results are generally valid for two years.

Do I need to pass the AMC exams?

On the Standard pathway, yes: the AMC CAT MCQ must be passed before applying, followed by the AMC clinical exam or a workplace-based assessment. Competent Authority pathway applicants do not sit the AMC exams.

What is the Expedited Specialist pathway?

It is for specialists whose qualification is on the Board's accepted qualifications list, such as anaesthesia, general practice and psychiatry. They apply directly for specialist registration and complete about six months of supervised practice.

Medical Board of Australia skills assessment