Before you can practise medicine in Australia, you need AHPRA registration
The pathway you take depends on where you trained, your specialty, and your qualifications. This guide breaks down all four registration pathways, the steps involved, common causes of delay, and what happens with your CPD requirements once you're registered.
If you're researching how to register as a doctor in Australia, you've probably already noticed that the process involves multiple steps, several different bodies, and pathways that vary depending on your background. It can feel overwhelming. This guide is designed to cut through the complexity so you know exactly what to expect and how to prepare.
What is AHPRA?
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) is the national body responsible for regulating health practitioners in Australia, including medical doctors. AHPRA works alongside the Medical Board of Australia (MBA) to set the standards for medical registration and ensure that all doctors practising in Australia meet the required competency and safety standards.
You must hold current AHPRA registration before you can legally practise medicine in Australia. It's a non-negotiable first step.
Registration pathways for international medical graduates
The pathway you take to achieve AHPRA registration depends on your qualifications, where you trained, and what kind of medical practice you intend to pursue in Australia. There are four main pathways for IMGs.
Before reviewing each one, it's worth using AHPRA's own Registration Self-Assessment Tool to help identify which pathway applies to your situation.
1. Competent Authority Pathway
The Competent Authority pathway is available to both non-specialist and specialist IMGs, including general practitioners, who are seeking general registration in Australia.
You may be eligible if you have been assessed by a recognised competent authority and have practised in a competent authority country. A significant advantage of this pathway is that you do not need to sit the Australian Medical Council (AMC) exams.
The recognised competent authorities are:
- United Kingdom: General Medical Council (GMC)
- Canada: Medical Council of Canada (MCC)
- United States: Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) or National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME)
- New Zealand: Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ)
- Ireland: Medical Council of Ireland (MCI)
Once granted provisional registration, you'll need to complete 12 months of supervised practice before progressing to general registration.
2. Standard Pathway
The Standard pathway is for IMGs who are not eligible for the Competent Authority or Specialist pathways. It's the most common route for non-specialist IMGs and leads to general registration.
To complete this pathway, you'll need to:
- Pass the AMC Computer Adaptive Test Multiple Choice Questions (CAT MCQ) written exam
- Complete either the AMC clinical exam or a Workplace-Based Assessment (WBA)
- Complete 12 months of specified supervised practice
There are two assessment options within this pathway:
AMC Exams: The most widely used route. You complete both the AMC CAT MCQ examination and the AMC Clinical Examination. The clinical exam can be completed before or after registration is granted.
Workplace-Based Assessment (WBA): An alternative to the clinical exam. You complete the AMC CAT MCQ examination along with a WBA of your clinical skills and knowledge, conducted by an AMC-accredited WBA authority. Places are limited and the WBA can only be completed after registration is granted.
3. Specialist pathways
For specialist IMGs, there are several sub-pathways depending on your qualifications and intended role. All lead to specialist registration.
Specialist Pathway: Specialist Recognition For specialist IMGs whose international qualification is not on the Medical Board's Expedited Specialist accepted qualifications list. Your specialist medical college will assess your qualifications for comparability with Australian trained specialists. If you are on this pathway, your specialist college will serve as your CPD Home.
Specialist Pathway: Area of Need For specialist IMGs who wish to work in a specialist-level position in a designated area of need. To be eligible, you must hold a primary qualification in medicine and surgery from an institution recognised by both the AMC and the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS), have satisfied all training and examination requirements to practise your specialty in your country of training, and have secured a position in a location designated as an area of need by the relevant state or territory health authority. This pathway covers all recognised medical specialties.
Expedited Specialist Pathway For specialist IMGs whose international qualification appears on the Medical Board's Expedited Specialist accepted qualifications list. If eligible, you can apply directly to the Board for specialist registration. You'll need to complete six months of supervised practice, cultural safety education, an orientation programme, and workplace-based assessments.
4. Short-Term Training in a Medical Specialty Pathway
The Short-Term Training pathway is for specialist IMGs and specialist IMGs in training who wish to undertake up to 24 months of specialist or advanced training in Australia. Suitability for a specific training position is assessed by the relevant specialist college.
This pathway offers short-term registration only and does not lead to specialist registration in Australia. If specialist registration is your goal, you'll need to apply through the Expedited Specialist or Specialist Recognition pathways instead.
Common challenges and delays
Many IMGs encounter delays during the registration process. Being aware of these in advance can help you prepare.
- Document verification: AHPRA requires primary source verification of your qualifications, which can take time, particularly if your medical school or previous registration authority is slow to respond.
- English language requirements: If your evidence of English proficiency is not current or does not meet AHPRA's accepted tests and score thresholds, your application may be delayed or refused.
- Character and criminal history checks: International police checks from multiple countries can take considerable time to obtain.
- Supervised practice placement: Finding an accredited employer willing to offer a supervised practice position, particularly in a preferred location, is often one of the most challenging steps for IMGs.
- AMC exam availability: Exam sittings, particularly for the clinical exam, are not offered continuously. Waiting periods between attempts can extend your overall timeline significantly.
- Incomplete applications: A common and entirely avoidable cause of delay is submitting an application with missing documents or errors. Review AHPRA's requirements carefully before you submit.
What happens after registration: CPD requirements
Obtaining your AHPRA registration is a significant achievement. It's also the beginning of an ongoing commitment, not the end of a process.
All registered doctors in Australia are required to complete Continuing Professional Development (CPD) every year. This is a condition of holding AHPRA registration and applies to international medical graduates regardless of whether you hold general, specialist, limited, or provisional registration.
What is a CPD Home?
As part of the Australian CPD framework, every doctor must be registered with an AMC-accredited CPD Home each calendar year (unless exempt). Your CPD Home is the organisation responsible for:
- Setting your annual CPD requirements
- Supporting your professional development
- Reporting your CPD compliance to AHPRA on your behalf
Your CPD requirements run in line with the calendar year (1 January to 31 December) and are due by 31 December each year. This timeline is independent of your AHPRA registration date.
Which CPD Home do I need?
This depends on your registration type and pathway:
- If you are on the Specialist pathway (Specialist Recognition), your specialist college will be your CPD Home.
- For all other registration types, including general, limited, and provisional registration, you must join an AMC-accredited CPD Home such as CPD Australia.
CPD Australia is an AMC-accredited CPD Home designed to support doctors across Australia, including international medical graduates, in meeting their annual CPD requirements with clarity and flexibility. At $109 per year, it's one of the most affordable options available.
Frequently asked questions
I have limited registration and I'm not in the Specialist pathway. Do I need a CPD Home?
Yes. You need to join an AMC-accredited CPD Home such as CPD Australia and complete your CPD requirements each calendar year.
I have provisional registration and I'm not in an accredited intern position or the Specialist pathway. Do I need a CPD Home?
Yes. You need to join an AMC-accredited CPD Home such as CPD Australia and complete your CPD requirements each calendar year.
I have general registration. Do I need a CPD Home?
Yes. You need to join an AMC-accredited CPD Home such as CPD Australia and complete your CPD requirements each calendar year.
I'm on the Expedited Specialist pathway. Do I need a CPD Home?
Yes. You need to join an AMC-accredited CPD Home such as CPD Australia and complete your CPD requirements each calendar year, including any specialist high-level requirements.
I'm on the Specialist pathway (Specialist Recognition) with limited or provisional registration. Who is my CPD Home?
Your specialist college will be your CPD Home.
I only held AHPRA registration for part of the year. Do I still need to meet CPD requirements?
Yes. You still need to join an AMC-accredited CPD Home and complete your CPD requirements for that calendar year. However, if you only held registration for part of the year, you can contact CPD Australia at
support@cpdaustralia.org to request a review of your situation. A variation may be applied to recognise your period of absence from practice in Australia.
When are my CPD requirements due?
Each CPD year runs from 1 January to 31 December. Your requirements are due by 31 December each year, independent of when your AHPRA registration was granted or renewed.
Can I join CPD Australia before I have my AHPRA registration?
Yes. You're welcome to join CPD Australia before you receive your AHPRA registration. This lets you familiarise yourself with the Australian CPD requirements, begin keeping personal records of your professional development, and demonstrate to future employers that you're appropriately meeting the CPD standards expected of Australian doctors. Please note that CPD Australia will only be able to report your compliance to AHPRA after the conclusion of a CPD year if you hold a valid AHPRA registration number. Make sure you update your AHPRA number in your profile once you receive it.
I'm an Australian or New Zealand graduate with overseas specialist qualifications. Does any of this apply to me?
Yes. The process to seek specialist registration is similar to the process for specialist IMGs. You may be eligible for the Expedited Specialist pathway. If not, your specialist qualifications will need to be assessed by the relevant specialist college for comparability, similar to the Specialist pathway: Specialist Recognition. You also need to join an AMC-accredited CPD Home such as CPD Australia and complete your CPD requirements each calendar year.
Ready to get started with your CPD?
Navigating AHPRA registration takes time, but the CPD side of things doesn't have to add to the complexity. Once you have your registration in hand, or even while you're preparing for it, CPD Australia is here to support you.
CPD Australia is an AMC-accredited CPD Home built to make meeting your annual CPD requirements straightforward. Whether you're newly registered or have been practising in Australia for years, we help you stay on track and remain compliant with your AHPRA registration conditions.
This guide is intended as general information only. For advice specific to your individual circumstances, always refer directly to AHPRA, the Medical Board of Australia, and the Australian Medical Council.
