FAQ: Can I complete PLAB, then gain my clinical experience in Australia to qualify for the Competent Authority Pathway?
This is one of the most common questions our team receives from International Medical Graduates (IMGs) planning registration in Australia.
The short answer is: yes – but only with a mix of pathways.
Read on to understand why this is the case, and what options are available to complete the Competent Authority Pathway requirements.
Understanding the Competent Authority Pathway
The Competent Authority Pathway is for IMGs seeking general registration in Australia. IMGs can obtain provisional registration after completing approved assessment and experience components from recognised countries on this pathway.
One of these recognised countries is the UK, and successful completion of PLAB is one of the approved assessment components.
However, completing PLAB alone is not enough.
To be eligible for registration under the Competent Authority Pathway, you must meet both the assessment AND experience component:
✔ PLAB, AND
✔ Completed supervised practice in the UK (or another recognised competent authority country; Ireland, Canada, US or New Zealand)
The supervised practice experience requirement is not optional and cannot be deferred.
The Common Misconception
We often see advice suggesting that after you have completed PLAB, you can complete your supervised experience component in Australia.
Unfortunately, this is not entirely correct.
As mentioned here on the medical board website, Australian clinical experience can be substituted for the post-examination or post training experience. However, to work clinically in Australia and complete this you must first qualify for registration. If you haven’t already completed the required experience component you are not eligible for registration under the Competent Authority Pathway.
What are the alternate pathway options to gain experience in Australia?
If an International Medical Graduate with PLAB wants to come to Australia before completing their experience component in a competent authority country, they would need to enter via another registration pathway, most commonly the Standard Pathway.
To be eligible for the Standard Pathway, you must pass the AMC CAT MCQ written exam.
This means the journey becomes:
- Pass PLAB
- Pass AMC MCQ
- Obtain limited registration via the Standard Pathway
- Work in Australia under supervision to satisfy the experience component
- Apply for provisional registration under the Competent Authority Pathway
In this example, your Australian experience is gained under the Standard Pathway, which, once completed, can be used to meet the criteria for eligibility for the Competent Authority pathway.
How can Elective Recruitment help?
At Elective, we see doctors invest significant time and money based on “grey area” advice found in online forums. Getting the right advice early allows you to avoid:
- unnecessary exam costs
- delays to registration
- visa complications
- and missed job opportunities
If you’re unsure which pathway applies to your situation, it’s always worth clarifying your eligibility before committing to PLAB, AMC exams, or relocation plans. Read our guide to registration pathways or use the self assessment tool on the AHPRA website.
If you are looking for further guidance on AHPRA registration, contact us at hello@elective.com.au
About the Author
Hayley has over a decade of experience in medical recruitment, where she has developed a deep expertise and understanding of the unique challenges and complexities that doctors face when relocating to Australia. Assisting in permanent, fixed-term, and locum placements across all medical specialties, she guides doctors through the complex journey of regulatory and migration processes, ensuring each candidate has a smooth transition into their new role.
