Short term training in Australia

The Medical Board of Australia’s short-term training in a medical specialty pathway allows SIMGs to undertake a short period of training in Australia, with the objective of gaining professional skills and experience not available in their country of training.

This pathway offers short term registration and does not lead to registration as a specialist in Australia. If you are seeking specialist registration in Australia, you can apply for the Specialist pathway – specialist recognition.

The Medical Board of Australia’s short-term training wepbage provides detailed information on the short-term training program in Australia. It is recommended that SIMGs are familiar with the processes listed before applying for short-term training. 

To be eligible to apply for the short-term training pathway, SIMGs are required to meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Be a recognised specialist surgeon in another country (outside Australia) or, be an overseas surgical specialist-in-training who is no more than two years away from completing specialist training, having passed a basic specialist examination or having satisfactorily completed substantial training (generally three or more years, i.e PGY5).
• Have been offered a short-term Training position in Australia that provides suitable training.
• Have established an AMC portfolio and applied to EPIC for primary source verification of their primary medical degree and specialist surgical qualification (if awarded).
• Declare their intention to return to their home country upon completion of short-term training.

• Read the short-term training in a medical specialty pathway policy (PDF 207.09KB) 
• Read and compile documents according to the checklist for short term training (PDF 220.82KB) 

SIMGs can then apply via eHub. 

Once an application has been received, it will be picked up by a coordinator within 1-2 weeks.

The short-term training team will then work with the SIMG to supply any additional information, then progress the application to the Clinical Director, SIMG Assessment, for approval.

Once an application has been approved, and an SIMG has commenced in their role, they are considered to be on a short-term training pathway.

The short-term training application fee covers RACS’ administrative costs for processing an application and assessing your suitability for the proposed short-term training position. It is not a training fee and it cannot be refunded once an application has been processed, including in the event an applicant is unable to proceed with the training for any reason.

RACS fees are reviewed annually and listed on the College fees page.