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Overview
An SIMG wishing to practice as a specialist surgeon in Australia requires an individualised assessment of comparability to an Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand trained surgeon in the same field of specialty practice. This is known as Specialist Assessment. SIMGs may also apply for an Area of Need Assessment if they meet the criteria at the same time as applying for Specialist Assessment.
Eligible SIMGs can apply for a Specialist and/or Area of Need Assessment in any one of RACS’ nine surgical specialties.
Key Regulations associated with Specialist Assessment
- Assessing a Specialist International Medical Graduate’s Comparability to an Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand Trained Surgical Specialist
- Specialist International Medical Graduates Assessed with a Limited Scope of Practice
- International Medical Graduate Fees Australia
The Specialist Assessment Team will guide SIMGs through the Specialist Assessment Process. The team can be contacted using the contact details listed below.
Specialist Assessment Process
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Review of ApplicationThe Specialist Assessment team will review an application to ensure it meets eligibility requirements, and that all documents have been included in the application.
Applicants will be given 30 days to submit any additional document requested by the Specialist Assessment team. If not received, a refund minus a 10% administration fee will be provided to the applicant. -
Document Based Assessment
Once all documentation is received, it will be activated to Document Based Assessment. This includes assessments by the RACS Clinical Director, and SIMG representative from the relevant Specialty Training Committee/Board.
RACS Document Based Assessment includes a review of the SIMGs:- Intended scope of practice
- Previous training and assessment
- Recent specialist practice and experience
- Continuing Professional Development
- For Area of Need applications, the suitability of the position is also assessed.
Further information regarding Document Based Assessment can be found in the following Regulations:
- Specialist International Medical Graduates Assessed with a Limited Scope of Practice
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Document Based Assessment Outcome
The recommendations that may arise from the Document Based Assessment is as follows:
- Not Comparable, no interview is required, and the interview component of the assessment fee will be refunded.
- An interview is required to finalise the assessment.
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Interview
SIMGs who progress to the interview stage will be invited to attend an online interview held via Zoom. SIMGs will receive an invitation to this interview and further details approximately 4 weeks in advance. The purpose of the interview is to clarify aspects of the SIMGs surgical training and education, and to ascertain specific aspects of the of the SIMGs surgical practice.
The interview also allows an assessment to be made on the SIMGs professional communication skills, spoken communication in English and their ability to evaluate their surgical practice and professional ethics. SIMGs will have the opportunity to demonstrate their views and knowledge on these issues by responding to a series of standard questions and scenarios.
The interview panel comprises of:- A nominee of the Committee of Surgical Education and Training.
- A representative of the Specialty Training Committee/Board of the Specialty in which the SIMG is being assessed
- Where an SIMG is identified for consideration of limited scope, the Interview Panel must include at least one Fellow who is practicing within the limited scope
- A Community or External Representative
The opinions of each panel member are considered in formulating the interim assessment recommendation. This consensus assessment recommendation is then approved by the Education Committee Executive.
Further information regarding Interviews can be found in the following Regulations:
- Specialist International Medical Graduate Assessment Interview Panels
- Assessing a Specialist International Medical Graduate’s Comparability to an Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand Trained Surgical Specialist -
Interim Recommendation
The recommendations which may be made following the assessment interview are:
- Not comparable to an Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand trained surgeon
- Partially comparable to an Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand trained surgeon
- Substantially comparable to an Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand trained surgeonPlease refer to Assessment Outcomes and Definitions for more information on each outcome and related requirements.
RACS will formally advise the SIMG and the Medical Board of Australia (MBA) of the assessment outcome and the related recommended pathway. Each assessment outcome is approved by the Education Committee Executive and cannot be altered without appropriate approvals.
SIMGs wishing to accept the recommended pathway will have 28 days to advise RACS in writing of their acceptance.
After accepting a recommendation, SIMGs are then considered to be under supervision and will be managed by the Clinical Assessment team.Find out more about the Clinical Assessment Process.
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Assessment Outcome and Definitions
In Australia, the Specialist Assessment and/or Area of Need Assessment process can result in one of three outcomes:
Not Comparable
SIMGs deemed as Not Comparable are determined as requiring more than 24 months FTE of supervised practice and further training to reach the standard of an Australian or Aotearoa New Zealand trained specialist. SIMGs who are deemed as Not Comparable are encouraged to contact the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) for guidance on alternative pathways to practise in Australia. They may also apply for the RACS Surgical Education and Training (SET) Program if eligible.
Partially Comparable
A SIMG may be assessed as partially comparable if they have satisfied RACS that they will be able to reach the standard of an Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand trained specialist commencing practice (at the level of a newly qualified Fellow) within a maximum period of 24 months FTE practice, taking into consideration the SIMGs intended scope of practice as well as their previous training and assessment, recent specialist practice, experience and CPD.
Requirements for Partially Comparable SIMGs
Before being eligible for Specialist Recognition and Fellowship, SIMGs deemed as Partially Comparable must:
- Undertake up to a maximum of 24 months FTE of supervised practice, with supervisors approved by RACS.
- satisfactorily complete further training and workplace-based assessments and may be required to undertake the Fellowship Examination.
- Meet all other requirements as listed in their recommendation and relevant regulations.For more information on requirements, visit the Clinical Assessment Page
Substantially Comparable
If a SIMG has satisfied RACS that they are suitable to undertake their intended scope of practice, taking full responsibility for individual patients with only oversight of their practice by a supervisor approved by RACS, a SIMG will be assessed as being substantially comparable.
Requirements for Substantially Comparable SIMGs:
- Before being eligible for Specialist Recognition and Fellowship, SIMGs deemed as Substantially Comparable must:
- Undertake up to a maximum of 12 months full time equivalent (FTE) supervised practice, with supervision approved by RACS.
- Meet all other requirements as listed in their recommendation and relevant regulations.For more information on requirements, visit the Clinical Assessment Page