What Is the Specialist Pathway?

The Specialist Pathway is designed for overseas-trained doctors who already hold a recognised specialist qualification and wish to practise as a specialist in Australia. Rather than sitting the AMC examinations, applicants are assessed by the relevant Australian specialist medical college in their field of practice.

Australia has numerous specialist colleges covering fields such as surgery, internal medicine, anaesthesia, psychiatry, paediatrics, radiology, emergency medicine, and many more. Each college has its own assessment process, but the overall framework is coordinated through the Medical Board of Australia and AHPRA.

If your qualifications and experience are deemed comparable to an Australian-trained specialist, you may be granted specialist registration. In some cases, the college may require you to complete a period of supervised practice, additional examinations, or upskilling before granting full recognition.

College Assessment and Recognition

The specialist assessment process involves the following stages:

  1. Identify the relevant college — Determine which Australian specialist medical college corresponds to your area of practice (e.g., Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists).
  2. Submit an application — Apply to the specialist college with your qualifications, training records, specialist certification from your home country, and evidence of clinical experience.
  3. Document verification — The college will verify your qualifications and may request additional documentation or references.
  4. Assessment outcome — The college will assess your application and may determine one of several outcomes:
    • Substantially comparable — Your qualifications are equivalent, and you may proceed to specialist registration with minimal additional requirements.
    • Partially comparable — You may need to complete a period of supervised practice, additional training, or examinations to bridge identified gaps.
    • Not comparable — Your qualifications do not meet the required standard, and you may need to consider alternative pathways or further training.
  5. Supervised practice (if required) — Complete any required period of peer review or supervised practice in an approved Australian clinical setting.
  6. Apply to AHPRA — Once the college confirms your suitability, apply for specialist registration through AHPRA.

Eligibility and Requirements

To pursue the Specialist Pathway, you generally need:

  • A recognised specialist qualification — A postgraduate specialist degree, diploma, or fellowship from a recognised training program in your home country.
  • Substantial specialist experience — Most colleges expect several years of independent specialist practice. The exact requirements vary by college and specialty.
  • English language proficiency — You must meet AHPRA's English language requirements.
  • Good standing — Evidence of current or recent registration and good standing with your home country's medical regulatory authority.
  • Primary medical qualification — Your underlying medical degree must also be verified.

The timeline for specialist assessment varies significantly by college. Some assessments may be completed within a few months, while others involving supervised practice can take one to two years.

Next Steps and Related Resources

If you believe the Specialist Pathway is right for you, start by identifying the relevant Australian specialist college and reviewing their specific assessment criteria. Each college publishes detailed guidance on their website.

If you are unsure whether you qualify as a specialist or would be better suited to another pathway, our Pathway Comparison page can help you decide.

Related Pages

Important Planning Note

This page is designed as practical guidance for overseas doctors and should be used alongside official requirements published by AHPRA, the AMC, relevant specialist colleges, and the Department of Home Affairs.

Rules, fees, and processing times can change. Before lodging any application, verify current criteria directly with official sources listed on our Resources page.