National Assessment Processes
Competent Authority Pathway | Transitional Arrangements | Workplace-based Assessment | Mini-CEX | Related Documents
Competent Authority Pathway
The first of these three pathways to be phased in is the Competent Authority (CA) pathway. The CA pathway is the process being adopted nationally for the purpose of streamlining (fast-tracking) progression to general registration for applicants who have previously been granted general/unconditional registration within an accredited CA outside Australia.
IMGs from accredited competent authorities are eligible to apply for advanced standing towards the Australian Medical Council (AMC) certificate. If advanced standing is granted, a workplace-based assessment (such as Mini-CEX), whilst working under supervision, is required instead of the AMC Multiple Choice Questionnaire (MCQ) or AMC clinical examinations.
The processes have received endorsement by the Medical Board of WA and have received provisional accreditation from the AMC. The aim of WA Health, with cooperation of its Health Services, is to maintain the services of the IMG’s from Competent Accredited Authorities. WA Health ensures the IMG is credentialed, receives orientation and is assessed for the position.
Competent Authorities as assessed by the Australian Medical Council (AMC)
| Country | Authority | Qualification / Award / Assessment | Effective from |
| United Kingdom | General Medical Council of the United Kingdom (GMC) | Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) test PLUS# 12 months supervised training approved by the GMC OR Foundations Year 1 |
Post - 1975 |
| Graduates of Medical Schools in the United Kingdom accredited by the General Medical Council PLUS# 12 months supervised training approved by the GMC OR Foundations Year 1 |
No date limit | ||
| Canada | Medical Council of Canada (MCC) | Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC) | No date limit |
| United States of America | Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) |
United States Medical Licensing Examination Steps 1, 2 and 3 (USMLE 1, 2 & 3) PLUS# Minimum 2 years of Graduate Medical Education (GME) within a residency program accredited by the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) |
Post -1992 |
| New Zealand* | Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) | New Zealand Registration Examination (NZREX) PLUS# Evidence of satisfactory completion of rotating internship (4 runs accredited by the MCNZ)* |
No date limit |
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