Specialist Assessment in Australia

The College assesses the training and experience of the Specialist International Medical Graduate (SIMG) for comparability with the training and experience of Australian/New Zealand-trained OMS specialist, and the skills standard required to practise in Australia.

SIMG Applications are assessed for comparability to the requirements, standards and graduate outcomes of the OMS Training Program & Curriculum.

1. Primary source verification of qualifications via the MyIntealth

SIMG Applicants must use MyIntealth to request primary-source verification of their medical qualifications (the verification service formerly managed via EPIC).

2. Establishment of AMC Portfolio via the AMC (3-5 days)

The SIMG Applicant applies online to the Australian Medical Council (AMC) for the establishment of an AMC portfolio.

3. Application for specialist assessment to the RACDS

Once verification is confirmed within the AMC portfolio, the SIMG applicant will be required to submit their qualifications and training experience to the College for a specialist assessment.

The submission must include the following:

  • Completed RACDS Specialist Assessment Application Form (FOMS 15) with supporting documentation
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Certified copies of supporting documentation
  • Payment of assessment fee

4. Document-Based Assessment Process

The SIMG Assessment Panel undertake a paper-based review of the application and may request additional information or verification.

The outcomes of the document-based assessment will be one of the following:

  • The SIMG Applicant will be required to present for an interview within 3 months
  • The SIMG Applicant is not comparable and will be referred to the AMC

5. Interview Assessment Process

The SIMG Assessment Panel will undertake an interview assessment for applicants who have progressed to the interview stage. The Panel will in combination with the document-based assessment make a determination concerning the SIMG Applicant’s training comparability to an Australian or New Zealand OMS trained Surgeon.

The outcomes of the assessment will be one of the following:

  • The SIMG Applicant is not comparable to an Australian or New Zealand trained surgeon
  • The SIMG Applicant is partially comparable to an Australian or New Zealand trained surgeon
  • The SIMG Applicant is substantially comparable to an Australian or New Zealand trained surgeon

6. Medical Registration

The Medical Board of Australia makes the final decision on granting medical registration based on the RACDS assessment outcome.

7. Ongoing Assessment

SIMG Applicant’s who are substantially or partially comparable to an Australian and New Zealand trained surgeon, will be required to commence an ongoing assessment period to obtain specialist recognition.

The requirements may include all or some of the following:

  • Clinical practice under Level 3 or Level 4 supervision in a suitable training post (6 – 24 months)
  • Successful completion of the RACDS Fellowship Examination
  • Completion of Work-based assessment tasks
  • Completion of identified logbook procedures
  • Satisfactory six-month Progress Reports and Logbook completion.

8. Final assessment

The SIMG Assessment Panel reviews the SIMG Progress Reports, Logbook, examination results, work-based assessments and makes a final assessment recommendation to the Fellowship Committee.

Possible outcomes:

  • Not comparable – SIMG did not satisfactorily complete requirements and is not eligible to apply for specialist registration
  • Substantially comparable – SIMG satisfactorily complete requirements and is eligible to apply for specialist registration.

9. Appeals

SIMG may appeal the final assessment decision (i.e., Not Comparable, Substantially Comparable) within 30 days of notification, subject to the RACDS Reconsideration, Review, and Appeals Policy.

Vocational Assessment in New Zealand

The vocational registration pathway is for overseas-trained Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMS) specialists applying for assessment of comparability to the standard of an OMS specialist trained in New Zealand.

The SIMG Panel acts as an advisory body and makes recommendations on the suitability of Specialist International Medical Graduates (SIMG) for vocational scope registration.

1. Assessment of fitness, competence, and qualification requirements for registration in a provisional vocational scope

SIMG submits a vocational application (VOC3) to the MCNZ. Council staff reviews the application for completeness and determines whether the IMG meets the initial fitness and competence requirements for provisional vocational registration.

MCNZ sends all information related to the IMG’s qualifications, training, and experience to the SIMG Panel for advice on:

  • the relative equivalence of the SIMG’s qualifications, training and experience to the New Zealand or Australasian OMS Training Program
  • the appropriate supervision period, and if any additional assessment may be required.

2. Decision on the SIMG’s eligibility for provisional vocational scope registration.

After the final advice is received, the MCNZ decides whether the SIMG can proceed to provisional vocational registration.

  • Preliminary decision (if the SIMG is overseas) – SIMG may start work under the provisional vocational (assessment pathway) but must attend interview with SIMG Panel upon arriving in New Zealand.
  • Final decision (if the SIMG is in New Zealand) – ineligible/unsuitable, eligible, or can continue based on the MCNZ’s preliminary decision.

3. Approval of employment / position and supervision plan (starting work in New Zealand)

Before the SIMG can start work in, the SIMG’s employment / position and supervision plan must be approved by the MCNZ.

  • Supervision pathway – SIMG must meet the MCNZ guidelines outlined in Orientation, Induction and Supervision
  • Assessment pathway – MCNZ seeks advice from SIMG Panel on the employment, position, and supervision plan.

4. Decision to grant vocational registration

SIMG applies for a change of scope from a provisional vocational to a vocational scope of practice once the supervision and / or assessment requirements are satisfactorily met. Application for admission to RACDS Fellowship is a separate process.

Short Term Training Assessment in Australia

The short-term training in a medical specialty pathway is for overseas-trained Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMS) trainees or specialists who want to undertake 12-24 months unaccredited training in Australia. This pathway does not lead to general or specialist registration.

The SIMG Panel advises the Medical Board of Australia whether the international medical graduate (SIMG) appears to be a genuine specialist-in-training or internationally qualified specialist; the position that the SIMG has applied for is a genuine training position that is appropriate for training requirements, and there is adequate supervision and support for the SIMG’s level of training and experience.

1. Application for short-term training position

SIMG applies for and is offered a short-term training position in Australia.

2. Primary source verification of qualifications via MyIntealth

SIMG Applicants must use MyIntealth to request primary-source verification of their medical qualifications (the verification service formerly managed via EPIC)

3. Establishment of AMC Portfolio via the AMC

SIMG applies online to the Australian Medical Council (AMC) for the establishment of an AMC portfolio.

4. Application for short-term training assessment to the RACDS

SIMG applies via email omsimg@racds.org to the RACDS for short-term training assessment by submitting the following requirements:

  • Completed RACDS Short-Term Training Assessment Application Form (FOMS 16)
  • Completed MBA/AHPRA Application for Assessment by a Medical College (AAMC-30 Part A)
  • Certified copies of supporting documentation
  • Payment of assessment fee

5. Assessment by the RACDS (6-12 weeks)

The SIMG Panel conducts a paper-based review of the application and advises the MBA about the SIMG’s suitability for the training position

6. Application for limited registration to the MBA

If short-term training position is suitable, SIMG applies to the MBA for limited registration postgraduate training or supervised practice. Based on the RACDS advice and any other relevant information required for registration, the MBA decides whether to grant registration. If limited registration granted, SIMG starts practice under the training and supervision requirements defined by the MBA.

Contact

If you have any enquiries, please contact the OMS Education Officer:

General College enquiries – info@racds.org

General OMS enquiries – oms@racds.org

Specialist international Medical Graduates – omsimg@racds.org

Telephone +61 2 9262 6044