{"id":2622,"date":"2026-03-24T23:15:10","date_gmt":"2026-03-24T23:15:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.elective.com.au\/?p=2622"},"modified":"2026-03-29T22:53:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-29T22:53:12","slug":"faq-can-i-complete-plab-then-gain-my-clinical-experience-in-australia-to-qualify-for-the-competent-authority-pathway","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.elective.com.au\/faq-can-i-complete-plab-then-gain-my-clinical-experience-in-australia-to-qualify-for-the-competent-authority-pathway\/","title":{"rendered":"FAQ: Can I complete PLAB, then gain my clinical experience in Australia to qualify for the Competent Authority Pathway?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Medical<\/p>\n

The short answer is: O<\/span>nly with a mix of pathways.
\n<\/b><\/p>\n

Read on to understand why this is the case, and what options are available to complete the Competent Authority Pathway requirements.<\/span><\/p>\n

Understanding the Competent Authority Pathway<\/b><\/h2>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

One of these recognised countries is the UK, and successful completion of PLAB is one of the approved assessment components.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, completing PLAB alone is not enough.<\/span><\/p>\n

To be eligible for registration under the Competent Authority Pathway, you must meet both the assessment AND experience component:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2714 PLAB, <\/span>AND<\/b><\/p>\n

\u2714 Completed supervised practice in the UK (or another recognised competent authority country; Ireland, Canada, US or New Zealand)<\/span><\/p>\n

The supervised practice experience requirement is not optional and cannot be deferred.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Common Misconception<\/b><\/h3>\n

We often see advice suggesting that after you have completed PLAB, you can complete your supervised experience component in Australia.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Unfortunately, this is not entirely correct.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As mentioned <\/span>here<\/span><\/a> 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\u2019t already completed the required experience component you are not eligible for registration under the Competent Authority Pathway.<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the alternate pathway options to gain experience in Australia?<\/b><\/h3>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

To be eligible for the Standard Pathway, you must pass the AMC CAT MCQ written exam.<\/span><\/p>\n

This means the journey becomes:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Pass PLAB<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Pass AMC MCQ<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Obtain limited registration via the Standard Pathway<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Work in Australia under supervision to satisfy the experience component<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Apply for provisional registration under the Competent Authority Pathway<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    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.<\/span><\/p>\n

    How can Elective Recruitment help?<\/b><\/h4>\n

    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:<\/span><\/p>\n