If you are a specialist physician considering bringing your career to Australia, mapping out your registration pathway is a good place to start. Depending on your qualifications and career goals, the route you take can shape how quickly you can start in a substantive role and whether you work towards Fellowship from day one.

Specialist International Medical Graduates (SIMGs) gain specialist registration in Australia through one of two routes. The first is a specialist assessment by the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP), which offers two assessment streams, Accelerated and Standard, and leads to both specialist registration and Fellowship (FRACP). The second, open to UK-trained General Physicians since January 2026, is the Medical Board of Australia’s Expedited Specialist pathway, which leads directly to specialist registration, with Fellowship remaining a separate step.

Demand for physicians is strong across every setting, from tertiary teaching hospitals to regional and rural health services where General Physicians anchor the medical workforce. For doctors making the move, this ongoing demand creates genuine long-term prospects, including permanent Staff Specialist roles, teaching and clinical leadership, and the flexibility to combine public and private practice once eligible.

This guide explains the pathways to registration so you can work out which route applies to you. It covers all 27 specialties the RACP assesses, from Cardiology and Gastroenterology to Geriatric and Rehabilitation Medicine, and explains when the Expedited Specialist route offers a faster start.

Which pathway leads to specialist registration as a physician in Australia?

Three pathways lead to specialist registration as a physician in Australia: the Medical Board’s Expedited Specialist pathway and the RACP’s Accelerated and Standard assessment streams. Which one applies depends on where you trained, which qualification you hold, and which specialty you intend to practise.

Note: Limited-registration pathways such as Area of Need and Short-Term Training are covered later in this guide.

Which physician specialties does the RACP assess?

The RACP assesses overseas-trained specialists in 27 specialties.

• Adult Medicine: Addiction Medicine; Cardiology; Clinical Genetics; Clinical Haematology; Clinical Immunology and Allergy; Clinical Pharmacology; Endocrinology; Gastroenterology; General and Acute Care Medicine; Geriatric Medicine; Infectious Diseases; Medical Oncology; Nephrology; Neurology; Nuclear Medicine; Palliative Medicine; Respiratory Medicine; Rheumatology; Sleep Medicine.
• Paediatrics and Child Health: Community Child Health; General Paediatrics; Neonatal and Perinatal Medicine; Paediatric Emergency Medicine.
• Faculty and Chapter Specialties: Occupational and Environmental Medicine; Public Health Medicine; Sexual Health Medicine; Rehabilitation Medicine.

If your specialty is not assessed by the RACP (for example, Intensive Care Medicine or Dermatology), you can view the full list of specialist medical colleges on the AMC website, or get in touch with our team at Elective Recruitment, who will be happy to advise you on the right college and pathway for your qualifications.

Two universal steps for every pathway: Primary Source Verification and English testing

Whether you apply through the Medical Board’s Expedited Specialist pathway or an RACP assessment stream, every overseas-trained physician must complete two foundational requirements. Tackling both early will help prevent avoidable delays later in your journey.

1. Primary Source Verification (PSV)

Both Ahpra and the RACP require independent confirmation that your primary medical degree and specialist qualifications are genuine.

• How it works: You apply to the Australian Medical Council (AMC) for primary source verification, which is managed through an Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) MyIntealth account and the Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials (EPIC).
• Why start early: Verification relies on your medical school and overseas training bodies responding directly to ECFMG. PSV can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months. Because that timeline is outside your control, start this well before you plan to lodge your RACP or Ahpra application.

For a step-by-step walkthrough of setting up your accounts and uploading your documents, read our guide to getting your medical qualifications verified in Australia.

2. English language requirements

Every applicant must meet the Medical Board of Australia’s English language skills registration standard to obtain registration through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra), either through an education-based pathway or an approved English language test. Because requirements and minimum test scores can change, always check the current standard before applying.

How does the Expedited Specialist pathway work for UK-trained General Physicians?

The Medical Board of Australia’s Expedited Specialist pathway allows eligible internationally qualified specialists to apply directly to Ahpra for specialist registration without first completing a specialist college assessment. Eligibility depends on the doctor’s specialty, qualification and other requirements set by the Medical Board.

For UK-trained General Physicians holding MRCP(UK) and a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in General (Internal) Medicine or Acute Internal Medicine, this is the fastest route to specialist practice in Australia, bypassing the RACP assessment process and requiring a supervised practice period of usually six months. General Medicine was added to the Medical Board’s accepted qualifications list in January 2026, and it remains the only adult physician specialty on the list (General Paediatrics was added at the same time for eligible UK and Irish qualifications). Irish qualifications are not currently accepted for General Medicine on this pathway, although Irish Certificate of Satisfactory Completion of Specialist Training (CSCST) holders may be eligible for the RACP Accelerated pathway.

Which qualifications are accepted for General Medicine?

You must hold Membership of the Royal College of Physicians of the United Kingdom, MRCP(UK), together with a UK CCT, through one of three routes.

Alongside these qualifications, you must also demonstrate recent and relevant clinical experience in General Medicine (to meet the Medical Board’s recency of practice standard).

What should dual CCT holders consider?

Many UK physicians hold a dual CCT, for example, in Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Respiratory Medicine, or Geriatric Medicine alongside GIM. The Expedited Specialist pathway grants registration as a specialist General Physician only. If you intend to practise in your other specialty, the Medical Board advises applying through an RACP specialist assessment stream instead.

How do you apply through the Expedited Specialist pathway?

1. Complete primary source verification. Verify your primary and specialist qualifications through the AMC (as outlined above).
2. Confirm qualification eligibility. Check that your exact qualification and curriculum dates appear on the Medical Board’s accepted qualifications list.
3. Secure a suitable position. Arrange an appropriate General Medicine role and supervisor, this can be done before you apply or after specialist registration is granted.
4. Apply to the Medical Board through Ahpra. Lodge your specialist registration application online, including your supervised practice plan nominating your supervisor and position if you already have an offer (or submit the plan once your role is confirmed). Apply at least three months before your intended start date; applications are accepted up to six months ahead.
5. Complete supervised practice. Once specialist registration (with conditions) is granted and your position and supervised practice plan are approved, you can start work. Over your six-month supervised practice period, you will also need to complete a Board-approved orientation, cultural safety education, multi-source feedback, and one workplace-based assessment (such as a Mini-CEX, DOPS, or Case-Based Discussion) before applying to remove the conditions.

Once registered and practising on this pathway, you must also join an AMC-accredited continuing professional development (CPD) home and complete 50 hours of CPD each calendar year. Because you are not completing an RACP assessment or Fellowship program, you can choose either a specialist medical college (such as the RACP) or an approved non-college provider as your CPD home. 

Does the Expedited Specialist pathway lead to RACP Fellowship?

No. The Expedited Specialist pathway grants specialist registration with Ahpra, not Fellowship of the RACP (FRACP). However, the Medical Board still encourages SIMGs on this pathway to consider applying for Fellowship. If you wish to become a Fellow, you will need to apply separately to the RACP and meet its assessment and fee requirements. Once Fellowship is awarded, you can add it to your Ahpra registration at no cost.

What is the RACP Accelerated Specialist Pathway?

The RACP Accelerated Specialist Pathway is a paper-based specialist assessment for physicians holding eligible qualifications from the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, Hong Kong, India, and Sri Lanka. Covering far more specialties than the Expedited Specialist pathway, it avoids the standard college interview for most applicants, typically delivers a comparability decision within six weeks of a completed application, and leads to Fellowship of the RACP (FRACP) once your post-assessment peer review requirements are met.

Which qualifications are eligible for the Accelerated Specialist Pathway?

The RACP states there are no exceptions to these criteria. Qualifications that do not qualify include MRCP(UK) or MRCPCH membership alone, Indian DNB/DrNB, Indian DCH, Indian senior residency posts, and Pakistani MCPS or MD. Paediatric Emergency Medicine is also not assessed on this pathway. If your qualification or specialty is not eligible here, you may still be able to apply through the RACP Standard Specialist Assessment Pathway. 

How do you apply through the Accelerated Specialist Pathway?

1. Complete primary source verification. Verify your primary medical degree and specialist qualifications through the AMC (as outlined above).
2. Gather your supporting documents. Prepare your certified EPIC identification form, specialty logbook and procedures summary, evidence of continuing professional development (CPD) from the past 24 months, proof of overseas specialist registration, and English language test results (if applicable).
3. Submit your RACP application. Complete the RACP Overseas Trained Physicians (OTP) application form and email it with your supporting documents to OTP@racp.edu.au. Once you pay the application submission fee, the RACP checks for any missing documents, and you have three months to supply any outstanding items before the application expires.
4. Undergo paper-based assessment. After you pay the comparability assessment fee, experienced Fellows review your application. Most applicants are found substantially comparable without an interview around six weeks after submitting a complete application, and you can comment on your assessment and referee reports before a decision is made. (If gaps are identified during assessment, you may be referred for an interview and moved to the Standard Specialist Assessment Pathway.)
5. Complete supervised practice. Once found substantially comparable, secure an RACP-approved position and peer review arrangement, obtain appropriate Ahpra registration (most applicants will first need limited registration), and complete at least six months of satisfactory practice under peer review.
6. Achieve specialist registration and Fellowship. Once your peer review requirements are signed off, the RACP recommends you for specialist recognition, making you eligible to apply for RACP Fellowship (FRACP) and full specialist registration with Ahpra.

How long is peer review?

Peer review runs for a minimum of six months full-time equivalent. Physicians trained in the UK and Ireland can typically expect around six months of peer review. Those trained in Hong Kong, India, and Sri Lanka may require around 12 months, with the option to apply for a reduction after six months of satisfactory full-time equivalent practice.

What is the RACP Standard Specialist Assessment Pathway?

The RACP Standard Specialist Assessment Pathway is open to physicians from any country who hold a verified specialist qualification involving at least three years of specialist training in one or more RACP specialties. It also serves applicants from the five Accelerated Specialist Pathway countries whose specific qualification or specialty does not meet the Accelerated criteria.

Unlike the Accelerated route, most applicants on this pathway are required to attend a one-hour videoconference interview with RACP Fellows to discuss their training and experience (this is a panel discussion rather than a clinical exam). On average, the RACP takes up to six months from a complete application to issue a comparability decision.

Because Australian physician training usually takes around six years, applicants whose overseas training program was shorter will generally need significant post-training experience at the level of an independent consultant to be considered eligible and to offset any gaps in training duration. Any experience or unaccredited fellowship training gained in Australia under the Medical Board’s Short-Term Training, Standard, or Competent Authority pathways does not count towards eligibility, comparability, or post-assessment requirements.

What happens after your RACP assessment?

Both RACP pathways result in one of three comparability outcomes. Each decision is valid for two years, and you must begin your requirements within that period.

If you are found not comparable, the RACP suggests considering alternative pathways or entering RACP Basic Training with recognition of prior learning.

How do you apply through the Standard Specialist Assessment Pathway?

1. Complete primary source verification. Verify your primary medical degree and specialist qualifications through the AMC (as outlined above).
2. Gather your supporting documents. Prepare your certified EPIC identification form, de-identified specialty logbook and procedures summary, evidence of continuing professional development (CPD) from the past 24 months, proof of overseas specialist registration, English language test results (if applicable), and details for at least three referees per specialty—including your current supervisor or direct line manager, using professional email addresses.
3. Submit your RACP application. Complete the RACP Overseas Trained Physicians (OTP) application form and email it with your supporting documents to OTP@racp.edu.au. Once you pay the application submission fee, the RACP checks for any missing documents, and you have three months to supply any outstanding items before the application expires.
4. Attend a panel interview. After you pay the comparability assessment fee, experienced Fellows review your application and invite you to a video interview of about one hour. The RACP is clear that this is not an examination and includes no clinical test questions. Scheduling may take up to three months; you will receive the interview report within 21 days, and then have 21 days to comment on the interview and referee reports before a comparability decision is made.
5. Complete post-assessment requirements. Obtain appropriate Ahpra registration (most applicants will first need limited registration) and secure an RACP-approved position. If you are assessed as substantially comparable, you will complete up to 12 months of peer review. If you are assessed as partially comparable, you will have up to 24 months full-time equivalent to address any identified gaps through top-up training, peer review, and any required workplace-based assessments or RACP examinations.
6. Achieve specialist registration and Fellowship. Once all post-assessment requirements are satisfied, the RACP recommends you for specialist recognition, making you eligible to apply for RACP Fellowship (FRACP) and full specialist registration with Ahpra.

What are the peer review and top-up training requirements?

• Position approval and setup: Your role and supervisors must be approved by the RACP before you start, as prior practice cannot be counted retrospectively. Positions must be at least 0.5 FTE, across a maximum of three sites with two supervisors per site.
• Top-up training roles: Top-up training is completed at final-year Advanced Trainee level in an RACP-accredited site. Elective Recruitment can help partially comparable physicians identify suitable Senior Registrar and Advanced Trainee-level roles.
• Mandatory courses and CPD: Complete the RACP orientation course within three months of starting, the Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori cultural competence course within six months, and 50 hours of MyCPD each year.
• Six-month milestones: After six months FTE of satisfactory reports, you may apply to reduce a 12-month peer review period (six months FTE is the minimum) or request approval to add private practice during peer review.

What are Area of Need positions?

Area of Need positions are designated by state and territory health authorities where there is a shortage of specialists, most commonly in regional, rural, and remote health services. The RACP does not designate or help find these roles, and will only support an Area of Need appointment if you are assessed as substantially comparable and suitable supervision is available. Because approval is tied to a specific job offer, you will need a formal offer, position description, and Area of Need declaration, and you can submit your Area of Need application (which carries a separate non-refundable RACP fee) either alongside or after your specialist assessment.

In our experience, completing your RACP specialist assessment before applying for jobs puts you in a much stronger position with employers. Having your comparability outcome in hand gives health services clear visibility of your supervision needs and path to Fellowship, making it far easier for them to progress your appointment.

What is the Short-Term Training in a Medical Specialty pathway?

The Short-Term Training in a Medical Specialty pathway is for overseas-qualified specialists, or specialists-in-training within two years of completing their training, who wish to complete up to 24 months of supervised clinical training in Australia before returning home. You must secure a confirmed offer for a suitable training position and obtain RACP suitability approval (alongside AMC primary source verification) before applying for limited registration with Ahpra. This route does not lead to general or specialist registration in Australia or RACP Fellowship, and clinical experience gained on this pathway cannot be counted toward a future RACP specialist assessment.

Planning your investment in specialist registration

Having clear financial visibility early on gives you the confidence to focus on the journey ahead. Total regulatory costs depend on which of the three routes applies to you. Both the RACP Accelerated Specialist Pathway and the RACP Standard Specialist Assessment Pathway use the same RACP fee schedule. Eligible UK-trained General Physicians on the Expedited Specialist pathway bypass RACP assessment fees, paying only verification, Ahpra application and registration, supervised practice assessment, and CPD home costs.

Shared upfront verification fees 

Before lodging a college or Ahpra application on any of the three pathways, you must complete primary source verification of your primary medical degree and specialist qualification:

• AMC primary source verification portfolio: $642 AUD to establish an initial AMC portfolio (including one qualification) plus $107 AUD for each additional qualification, typically $749 AUD in total for your primary degree and specialist qualification (GST-free).
• ECFMG / MyIntealth EPIC verification: US$110 for MyIntealth account setup and identity notarisation, US$35 for EPIC portfolio establishment, and US$110 per verified credential, typically US$365 (around $550-575 AUD, depending on exchange rates) for two qualifications, including your first EPIC report for each credential.

RACP Accelerated and Standard pathway fees

Both RACP pathways follow the fee schedule below. All amounts are in Australian dollars, include GST for applicants residing in Australia, and are strictly non-refundable.

In addition to the core RACP fees above, budget for the following stage-specific costs on the Accelerated and Standard pathways:

• Ahpra registration: Most RACP pathway applicants first require Limited registration during peer review or top-up training ($1,131 AUD application fee plus $1,102 AUD annual registration fee, or $925 AUD in NSW). Once your peer review or top-up training is signed off, you apply for Specialist registration ($1,661 AUD application fee plus $1,102 AUD annual registration fee, or $925 AUD in NSW).
• RACP Fellowship admission and subscription: Upon completing your pathway requirements, the RACP Fellowship admission fee is $1,622 AUD and the annual Fellowship subscription is $2,360 AUD.
• Optional or conditional RACP fees: A practice visit, if required, costs $3,539 AUD. An Area of Need application costs $2,118 AUD, and a Short-Term Training in a Medical Specialty application costs $1,241 AUD. Partially comparable applicants assigned RACP examinations will also pay the relevant examination fees.

RACP fees are reviewed each year, so confirm the current schedule before you apply.

Expedited Specialist pathway costs

Because the Expedited Specialist pathway leads directly to specialist registration without RACP assessment, applicants avoid all RACP fees above and instead pay the following regulatory and supervised practice costs:

• Ahpra specialist registration: $1,661 AUD one-off application fee plus $1,102 AUD annual specialist registration fee ($925 AUD if your principal place of practice is in NSW)
• Multi-source feedback (MSF) assessment: $495 AUD via CFEP Surveys (the Medical Board’s approved MSF provider for this pathway). (Your required workplace-based competency assessment—Mini-CEX, DOPS, or case-based discussion—is normally completed internally with your supervisor, though employer arrangements vary.)
• CPD home subscription: Typically $220 to $275 AUD per year through an approved non-college provider (such as AMA CPD Home or Osler), compared with $2,360 AUD/year if you join the RACP as a non-Fellow CPD user.

Across all pathways, remember to budget for:

• English language testing (if you are not exempt)
• International criminal history checks required by Ahpra
• Visa application costs, flights, and relocation

Some Australian health services offer relocation packages or contribute toward assessment, registration, and CPD costs. Ask what support is available during recruitment and confirm any reimbursement terms before you accept an offer, or read our full breakdown of specialist doctor relocation costs in Australia to help plan your budget.

How Elective Recruitment can help

Working out which pathway applies to you is one part of planning your move to Australia. Finding a position that matches your training, registration requirements, career goals and lifestyle is another. While the RACP or the Medical Board approves your position and supervisor, securing a suitable role is up to you.

At Elective, we partner with public and private health services across Australia to support international doctors with permanent and fixed-term opportunities, from Medical Registrar and Senior Medical Officer roles through to Staff Specialist and Consultant Physician positions. We can help you understand the roles available, what employers are looking for, and how a position aligns with your RACP or Expedited Specialist pathway requirements.

If you are exploring a move to Australia, get in touch with our team or browse current physician opportunities. We are always happy to talk through the process and help you explore what options may be available.

Frequently asked questions

I am a UK-trained General Physician. Should I use the Expedited Specialist pathway or the RACP pathway?

If you hold MRCP(UK) and a qualifying CCT in General Internal Medicine and intend to practise as a General Physician, the Expedited Specialist pathway is usually the fastest route to specialist registration. If you want FRACP from the outset, or intend to practise in another specialty, the RACP Accelerated pathway may suit you better.

I hold a dual CCT in Cardiology and General Internal Medicine. Can I practise as a cardiologist through the Expedited pathway?

No. The Expedited Specialist pathway grants registration as a specialist General Physician only. To practise Cardiology, or any other physician subspecialty, you should apply for an RACP specialist assessment.

Is MRCP(UK) on its own enough to be assessed as a specialist?

No. MRCP(UK) and MRCPCH are membership qualifications, usually gained during training, so on their own they do not show that you have completed specialist training. The Expedited Specialist pathway requires MRCP(UK) together with a UK CCT, and the RACP requires a CCT, CCST or equivalent completed specialist training.

Do I need a job offer before applying?

No. You can begin your RACP assessment, or apply to Ahpra on the Expedited Specialist pathway, without a confirmed job. However, you will need an approved position and supervisor before you begin clinical practice, so we recommend exploring roles in parallel.

Can I work as a physician while my RACP assessment is underway?

Only if you already hold valid medical registration with Ahpra  that permits it. An RACP specialist assessment does not grant medical registration on its own. What you can do depends on your registration category, supervision level and the requirements of the specific position.

What if the RACP finds my training is not comparable?

This outcome still leaves you with options. You may still be eligible for provisional or limited registration through alternative Medical Board pathways, and you can apply competitively for entry into RACP Basic Training, with recognition of prior learning. You can also reapply for specialist assessment after two years with further accredited training or consultant experience.

How much does RACP specialist assessment cost?

In 2026, the indicative total investment ranges from $7,499 for an interim decision to $17,391 for a partially comparable outcome with two years of workplace-based assessment. As all RACP fees are non-refundable, confirming your eligibility before you apply is a worthwhile first step.

Where can I check the very latest requirements?

Requirements and fees are updated regularly, so it is worth checking before each step. The RACP and the Medical Board of Australia websites publish the latest registration requirements. Our team is also happy to talk you through any recent changes, contact us at hello@elective.com.au

This guide reflects RACP and Medical Board of Australia published requirements as at November 2026. Registration standards, fees and processing times are subject to change. Please confirm current details directly with the RACP and Ahpra before making decisions based on this information.

About the author

Hayley Nault has over a decade of experience in medical recruitment, with a deep understanding of the unique challenges doctors can face when relocating to Australia. She specialises in supporting doctors with permanent and fixed-term opportunities across a range of medical specialties, helping candidates navigate the recruitment, registration and migration processes and make informed decisions about their next career move.