Training and education

Bridging courses are short courses that aim to help OTDs in Australia complete the Australian Medical Council (AMC) examinations.

There are 2 types of bridging course: one prepares candidates for the AMC Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) examination, and the other is aimed at candidates for the AMC clinical examination.

Courses generally run for about 10 to 26 weeks.

Note: FEE-HELP is a loan scheme for participants in the AMC bridging course program. It’s available to eligible permanent resident doctors and covers the fees for bridging courses.

FEE-HELP info

Organisations offering bridging courses

NSW - Australian Medical Review Centre (AMRC)
(Send email)

NSW - Health Education & Training Institute (HETI) Familiarisation Program for International Medical Graduates

NT - Northern Territory General Practice Education

QLD - Centre for International Medical Graduates

TAS - Postgraduate Medical Education Council of Tasmania
(Send email)

VIC - Alan Roberts International Medical Graduates Support and Advisory Service Pty Ltd (ARIMGSAS)
(Send email)

VIC - Health Education Australia Limited (HEAL) (Formerly VMPF)
(Send email)

Australia-wide - IMG SOS
(Send email)

It’s important that OTDs familiarise themselves with the Australian healthcare system, cultural values and style of communication.

Cultural awareness training - resources

Australian Indigenous Health InfoNet
An excellent source of Aboriginal health information, covering cultural, historical, social, economic and physical environment issues. Includes:

• online medical and technical dictionaries
• a list of formal training courses
• links to other websites with valuable Aboriginal cultural information.

ABC Health & Wellbeing
An excellent source of information on current Australian health issues, news and stories in both national and regional contexts. Aimed at the general public.

Australian medical expressions

Australian General Practice Training (AGPT)
The Registrar Fact Sheet explains the Medicare provider number application process for GP Registrars who are participating on the AGPT Program.

Remote Vocational Training Scheme
The Remote Vocational Training Scheme is a vocational training program for medical practitioners in remote and isolated communities throughout Australia. The training provided meets the requirements for fellowship of both ACRRM and RACGP.

Prevocational training

Taken in a public hospital. This includes the compulsory year of clinical training (the intern year) required by the State and Territory Medical Boards to achieve full (unconditional) medical registration, plus an additional year or two during which doctors consolidate their skills.

Confederation of Postgraduate Medical Education Councils
Information on prevocational medical information and training, plus links to Postgraduate Medical Councils (PMCs) in Australia and New Zealand, as well as other peak bodies.

Vocational training

Vocational training programs are run by the Specialist Medical Colleges (including the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners) and take between 3 and 7 years to complete.

Successful completion of this training leads to eligibility for recognition by the relevant College, which in turn enables OTDs to apply to a Medical Board for registration to practise independently as a specialist in Australia.

Contact the relevant Australian Specialist Medical College for more information on vocational training programs, or ask your employer for advice.