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Expedited pathway

Fast-track your medical career in Australia with the new Expedited Specialist Pathway!

Exciting news for internationally trained medical specialists! Australia has introduced the Expedited Specialist Pathway (ESP) — a streamlined registration process that recognises your specialist qualification and gets you practicing faster while ensuring high-quality patient care. This pathway is designed to tackle workforce shortages, particularly in rural and underserved areas, making it a win-win for both doctors and communities in need.

We have a team specialising in the ESP who can provide information on your eligibility and we welcome you to reach out to us via the contact us button.

You may be eligible if you are a Specialist International Medical Graduate (SIMG), and…

  • Hold a recognised medical qualification—approved by both the Australian Medical Council (AMC) and the World Directory of Medical Schools
  • Have a specialist qualification on the Medical Board of Australia’s Expedited Specialist Pathway in one of these fields (as of January 2025):
    • General Practice
    • Anaesthesia
    • Psychiatry
    • Obstetrics and Gynaecology
  • Faster registration – skip the long waits! The ESP speeds up the process so you can start working in Australia sooner
  • Direct application – no need for college assessments—apply straight to the Medical Board of Australia
  • Make a real impact – work in areas that truly need doctors while gaining valuable experience in Australia’s healthcare system

Getting started is easier than you think! We have a team dedicated to supporting doctors on this pathway and their journey to Australia:

  1. Qualification verification – apply through the Australian Medical Council (AMC) to verify your qualifications.
  2. Choose your location – we can help match you to a suitable location with the right support.
  3. Submit your application – apply for specialist registration with the Medical Board of Australia.
  4. Supervised practice plan – outline your proposed position and supervisor for Board approval.

Once you are on the pathway, there are a few key steps to complete via the medical board:

  • Supervised practice – Work under supervision for six months in an approved role
  • Orientation & cultural safety – Get familiar with the Australian healthcare system and complete cultural safety training
  • Workplace assessments – Participate in feedback and competency checks
  • Progress reporting – Keep the medical board updated with supervised practice reports

If you are joining this pathway, a 10-year moratorium is still applicable, which means you will need to work in a Distribution Priority Area (DPA)—a region identified as needing more doctors. This ensures that under-served communities receive quality healthcare while giving you an opportunity to gain diverse experience.

Fellowship via the Expedited Specialist Pathway

 If you are on the Expedited Pathway, you will not automatically receive Fellowship from the GP colleges (RACGP or ACRRM), but you may apply separately.

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) now offers the option to gain Fellowship from completing the Medical Board of Australia’s Expedited Specialist Pathway.

Being part of the College comes with numerous benefits, including access to additional support, professional education, and networking opportunities, all at a reasonable cost ($990) if you have completed the Expedited Specialist Pathway.

Once you have completed the Expedited Specialist Pathway, had any conditions removed, and hold specialist registration, you can apply directly to the RACGP for Fellowship via their website.

1. Ensure RACGP membership.

2. Log in to your RACGP account and complete the online application form and upload the required documents.

Required Documents

You will need to provide:

  • Your AHPRA registration details.
  • Notice of decision from AHPRA confirming the removal of conditions on your registration.
  • Current CV.
  • Evidence of ALS 1 and BLS completion within the last 12 months.
  • Verified copies of your international medical college qualifications, including country of training and completion certificates.
  • A completed attestation and a proposal by a current RACGP Fellow via the RACGP form. To be considered admissible, your proposer must:
    • Be a current financial member of the RACGP.
    • Not have been convicted of an indictable offence in the last 10 years.
    • Not have been suspended or removed from the Register of Practitioners in the last 10 years.
    • Have known you for at least 6 months and within the last 24 months to attest to your good character.


Final steps

3. Complete the Reflection Questionnaire covering your experience in Australia, current challenges, future learning goals, and your understanding of cultural safety.

4. Pay the $990 Fellowship application fee.

5. Participate in a collegiate discussion with RACGP representatives.

The inclusion of Fellowship recognition for doctors on the Expedited Specialist Pathway is a significant milestone for international medical practitioners in Australia.

By making Fellowship more attainable to Expedited Specialist Pathway doctors, the RACGP is recognising the vital role of international medical graduates and supporting their contribution to high-quality patient care across Australia.

For more advice on the Expedited Specialist Pathway, email us at [email protected] or click the “contact us” button below!

Next steps! We're here to help

Starting your journey to Australia can feel overwhelming — but you don’t have to do it alone! Our team specialises in guiding doctors through the Expedited Specialist Pathway, making the process as smooth as possible.

Want to chat with us? Email us at [email protected] or click the “contact us” button below!

  • The Process