Nationally consistent assessment of international medical graduates

The need for consistency in assessing international medical graduates for work in Australia led the Council of Australian Governments, in 2006, to direct health ministers to implement a nationally consistent approach. An Implementation Committee was established in late 2006 to oversee the development of the new assessment process; the first steps were completed by July 2007 and further development will occur over the next 12 months. The pre-existing Australian Medical Council (AMC) examination pathway will continue to be available, and there will be two additional pathways for non-specialists. The pre-existing pathway for specialists is being revised. Elements that are being introduced include: standardised pre-employment assessment, including an off-shore screening examination; assessment of competence against a standardised position description and, if necessary, a structured clinical interview by an AMC-accredited provider before obtaining limited registration; orientation to the job, the Australian health care system and to communication and cultural issues; standardised supervision and supervisory reporting; a requirement for compulsory continuing professional development for reregistration; workplace-based assessment; assessment by an AMC-accredited provider before gaining full registration; and consistency of assessment for specialists by specialist colleges. Some elements have been operating in some jurisdictions from July 2007, and there is a commitment to full implementation in participating jurisdictions by July 2008.