SIMG overview

Specialist International Medical Graduates (SIMGs) with formal postgraduate specialist qualifications in surgery who wish to work in Australia can apply to RACS for an assessment of their qualifications and experience.

The RACS IMG assessment process for specialist recognition and Fellowship of RACS evaluates the training, qualifications and experience of the SIMG for comparability with an Australian or New Zealand trained surgeon.

SIMGs with formal postgraduate specialist qualifications in surgery who wish to work in New Zealand apply directly to the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ).

Guidelines for Applicants (PDF 354.17KB) provides detailed information for IMGs considering applying for specialist recognition. The website attempts to summarise this information, however it is recommended that all applicants read the guide before applying.

All SIMGs applying for a Specialist and/or Area of Need pathway must apply for primary source verification of their medical qualifications through the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials (EPIC).

The AMC is the verifications authority of Australia, responsible for maintaining the AMC's qualifications portal with information and updates on verifications processed by ECFMG. The qualifications portal is used by the Medical Board of Australia (the Board) for registration purposes and by the Australian specialist medical colleges for assessment purposes.

The AMC has no role in processing applications for registration or in granting registration, which is a function of the Medical Board of Australia (the Board).

Information on the ECFMG EPIC process is available on the Australian Medical Council website.

The Board is responsible for medical registration in Australia. The Board is supported by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). SIMGs must apply directly to the Medical Board for registration to practice in Australia. The Board receives the outcome of RACS's assessment via AMC qualifications portal, and will determine the type of registration an SIMG is eligible for. The Board makes the final decision on whether to grant registration.

Information on the registration categories and type of positions that medical practitioners in the Specialist pathway can apply for is available on the Medical Board of Australia website.

For medical registration requirements in Australia, please contact:

Australian Medical Council
PO Box 4810
Kingston ACT 2604
Australia

Telephone: +61 2 6270 9777
Fax: +61 2 6270 9799
Email: amc@amc.org.au

The MCNZ assessment process for vocational registration evaluates the comparability of an SIMG's training, qualifications and experience to that of a New Zealand vocationally registered doctor in the same specialty who holds the MCNZ prescribed New Zealand / Australasian post graduate qualification (e.g. a Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, FRACS).

The Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) is responsible for medical registration in New Zealand. SIMGs must apply directly to the MCNZ for registration to practice medicine in New Zealand. The MCNZ determines the type of registration for which an SIMG is eligible and makes the final decision on whether to grant registration. Information about registration categories and the types of positions medical practitioners can apply for is available on MCNZ's website.

For medical registration requirements in New Zealand, please contact:

Medical Council of New Zealand
PO Box 11649
Wellington New Zealand
Telephone: +64 4 384 7635
Fax: +64 4 385 8902