Specialist International Medical Graduates

Specialist Assessment in Australia

The specialist 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 Australia (specialist recognition).

The Overseas Trained Specialist Subcommittee (OTSS) of the Accreditation Committee assesses the training and experience of the specialist international medical graduate (SIMG) for comparability with the training and experience of Australian-trained OMS specialist, and the skills standard required to practise in Australia.

The OTSS makes decisions on a case-by-case basis. However, it is unlikely that any qualification will show direct equivalence as no other specialist training program is blueprinted to the RACDS Accredited Training in OMS Curriculum.

1. Primary source verification of qualifications via the ECFMG (6-12 weeks)
SIMG applies online to the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduate’s (ECFMG) Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials (EPIC) for verification of both primary and specialist medical qualification(s).

2. Establishment of AMC Portfolio via the AMC (3-5 days)
SIMG applies online to the Australian Medical Council (AMC) for the establishment of an AMC portfolio.

3. Application for specialist assessment to the RACDS
SIMG applies via email [email protected] to the RACDS for specialist assessment by submitting the following requirements:

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

4. Interim assessment
OTSS undertakes a paper-based review of the application and may interview the SIMG before interim and/or final assessment. OTSS gives SIMG a summary of the preliminary review (SPR), either before or after the interview.

Possible outcomes:

  • Not comparable – conclusion of application (i.e., final assessment)
  • Partially comparable – SIMG required to complete further assessments and/or undertake 6-24 months FTE supervised practice within four years.
  • Substantially comparable – SIMG required to undertake 3-12 months FTE supervised practice within two years.

5. Final assessment
OTSS reviews the supervisor reports and/or assessment results of the SIMG and makes a final assessment.

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.

6. 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 Overseas Trained Specialist Subgroup (OTSS) of the Accreditation Committee acts as an advisory body and makes recommendations on the suitability of international medical graduates (IMG) for vocational scope registration.

1. Assessment of fitness, competence, and qualification requirements for registration in a provisional vocational scope
IMG 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 OTSS for advice on:

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

2. Decision on the IMG’s eligibility for provisional vocational scope registration
After the final advice is received, the MCNZ decides whether the IMG can proceed to provisional vocational registration.

  • Preliminary decision (if the IMG is overseas) – IMG may start work under the provisional vocational (assessment pathway) but must attend interview with OTSS upon arriving in New Zealand.
  • Final decision (if the IMG 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 IMG can start work in, the IMG’s employment / position and supervision plan must be approved by the MCNZ.

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

4. Decision to grant vocational registration
IMG 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 Overseas Trained Specialist Subgroup (OTSS) of the Accreditation Committee advises the Medical Board of Australia whether the international medical graduate (IMG) appears to be a genuine specialist-in-training or internationally qualified specialist; the position that the IMG has applied for is a genuine training position that is appropriate for training requirements, and there is adequate supervision and support for the IMG’s level of training and experience.

1. Application for short-term training position
IMG applies for and is offered a short-term training position in Australia.

2. Primary source verification of qualifications via the ECFMG (6-12 weeks)
IMG applies online to the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduate’s (ECFMG) Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials (EPIC) for verification of primary and/or specialist medical qualification(s).

3. Establishment of AMC Portfolio via the AMC (3-5 days)
IMG 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
IMG applies via email [email protected] 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)
OTSS conducts a paper-based review of the application and advises the MBA about the IMG’s suitability for the training position

6. Application for limited registration to the MBA
If short-term training position is suitable, IMG 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, IMG 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 – [email protected]

General OMS enquiries – [email protected]

Specialist international Medical Graduates – [email protected]

Telephone +61 2 9262 6044