Which pathway applies to you
The AMC assesses IMGs on several pathways. Specialists may be assessed through a specialist medical college, and doctors who trained in some countries (for example the UK, Ireland, Canada, the USA and New Zealand) may be eligible for the Competent Authority pathway. Everyone else seeking general registration usually takes the Standard Pathway. Check your eligibility with the AMC and the Medical Board of Australia before you pay for anything.
Step by step (Standard Pathway)
- Check that your medical school and degree are eligible, then open an AMC portfolio and have your primary medical qualification verified at source.
- Meet the Medical Board of Australia's English language skills registration standard.
- Apply for a CAT MCQ authorisation (valid 12 months) and book a Pearson VUE test centre.
- Pass the AMC CAT MCQ. You can then look for supervised work under limited registration, depending on the role and the Board's requirements.
- Pass the AMC Clinical Examination or complete an AMC-accredited workplace-based assessment (WBA) program.
- Receive the AMC Certificate and apply to the Medical Board of Australia for registration; general registration follows a period of supervised practice.
AMC fees in 2026
Source: AMC Fees and charges page, checked 8 November 2026. English tests, primary source verification charges, Ahpra registration fees, travel and visas are extra. Fees change, so confirm with the AMC before you pay.
| Item | AMC fee (A$, GST-free) |
|---|---|
| Initial portfolio (one qualification) | 642 |
| CAT MCQ authorisation | 2,920 |
| Clinical examination, in person | 3,000 |
| Clinical examination, online | 3,400 (3,000 + 400 levy) |
| Workplace-based assessment (AMC fee) | 1,070 |
See where you stand in 10 minutes
Take the free AMC CAT MCQ practice test. 15 questions, every answer explained.
How long it takes
The CAT MCQ is offered at many events through the year, and results come three weeks after your exam. You can hold only one MCQ application at a time, so a fail means waiting for the result before you can apply again. Most candidates spend 3 to 6 months preparing for the MCQ, then several months more for the clinical exam or WBA.
How to study for the MCQ
- Follow the blueprint: half adult medicine and surgery, half women's, child and mental health, and population health and ethics.
- Learn current Australian guidance: Therapeutic Guidelines, the Australian Immunisation Handbook, national screening programs and the Medical Board's code of conduct.
- Practise without going back: the real exam doesn't allow review, so train yourself to commit to an answer.
- Take at least two full 150-question timed mocks before the real one.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to pass the AMC MCQ before the clinical exam?
Yes, on the Standard Pathway the CAT MCQ comes first, then the clinical examination or a workplace-based assessment.
Can I work in Australia after passing the MCQ?
Some IMGs work under limited registration (Standard Pathway) after passing the MCQ, in a supervised role. Requirements are set by the Medical Board of Australia and the employer.
Is the WBA an alternative to the clinical exam?
Yes. An AMC-accredited workplace-based assessment program, done while employed in an approved position, is an alternative to the AMC Clinical Examination.
Are AMC exam fees refundable?
Partly, in some cases. The AMC's refund structure depends on when and why you withdraw; check the Fees and charges page.
Official sources
- AMC: Standard Pathway
- AMC: Fees and charges
- Medical Board of Australia: International medical graduates
Practice tests for these certifications
This guide is general information, checked November 2026, not legal advice. the Australian Medical Council rules change; confirm with the Australian Medical Council before you apply.
