International Medical Graduates (IMGS)

International Medical Graduates (IMGS)

The path to practising medicine in Australia as an International Medical Graduate (IMG) can be an enriching yet complex journey. Bendigo Health offers a supportive and educational environment for IMGs looking to practice in Australia.

IMGs can join the hospital as part of the medical workforce, benefiting from training, mentorship, and professional development opportunities to help them transition into the Australian healthcare system. The hospital provides comprehensive support for IMGs, including assistance with registration and guidance in the process of obtaining Australian medical licensure.

Bendigo Health values the diverse experiences and skills that IMGs bring to the team, helping to ensure the delivery of high-quality healthcare to the regional community.

There are different pathways to registration and practice in Australia for internationally qualified medical practitioners who have gained their medical qualifications outside Australia or New Zealand.

If you are an IMG, to be eligible to apply for Junior Medical Careers at Bendigo Health, you need to:

• Determine your Medical Board of Australia assessment pathway:

              - Competent Authority Pathway
              - Standard Pathway

• Apply through the Australian Medical Council (AMC) to have your primary qualifications verified using the EPIC Primary Source Verification process.
• Standard Pathway: complete the AMC 1 Computer Adaptive Test (MCQ) Examination and the AMC 2 Clinical Examination.
• Meet the Registration Standards for the Medical Board of Australia (MBA)
• Secure an offer of employment with a Victorian public health service/hospital
• Obtain an Australian visa that will allow you to work in Australia
• Secure medical registration with the Medical Board of Australia (MBA)

If you have gained your Specialist Medical Qualification outside of Australia, you can use the Medical Board of Australia ‘Self-Assessment Tool’ to determine which pathway to registration in Australia you are eligible for apply for.

To be eligible to apply for Senior Medical Careers at Bendigo Health, you need to:

• Determine your Medical Board of Australia assessment pathway

           - Specialist Pathway / Recognition

           - Expedited Specialist Pathway

• Apply to the Australian Medical Council (AMC) for Primary Source Verification of your Primary and Specialist Medical Qualifications.
• Apply to the relevant Specialist Medical College for a specialist recognition/comparability assessment.
• The specialist college will send you the outcome of the assessment – either substantially comparable, partially comparable or not comparable (Report 1).
• If you are assessed as substantially or partially comparable, you will need to secure a suitable position.
• If you are assessed as not comparable, you will not be eligible for specialist registration but you have the option to apply for a different pathway.
• Apply to the Medical Board for provisional registration (if you are also eligible for the Competent Authority pathway) or limited registration (all other applicants). The Board must approve the position you have secured and your proposed supervision arrangements.

Important Note:

This information is current as of July 2025 and may be subject to change, we recommend consulting official sources including:

• Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
• Medical Board of Australia
• Australian Medical Council (AMC)
• Department of Home Affairs