After completing MBBS in Australia

After completing an MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) in Australia, graduates typically follow these steps:

Internship

After completing your MBBS, you need to undergo a one-year internship (PGY1) in a hospital. This internship year involves working in different medical specialties such as medicine, surgery, pediatrics, psychiatry, etc.

This is a mandatory year that provides the clinical experience needed to apply for General Registration with the Medical Board of Australia (MBA).

• Required by: All medical graduates in Australia.
• Duration: 1 year.
• What It Involves: This is a mandatory year of supervised practice. During this time, you work in various clinical rotations across different specialties (e.g., general medicine, surgery, pediatrics, psychiatry).
• Goal: To meet the basic requirements for full medical registration in Australia.
• Outcome: After completing the internship year, you can apply for General Registration with the Medical Board of Australia (MBA).

Residency (Post-Internship)

After your internship, you can apply for residency programs, which are structured postgraduate training pathways. Many Australian medical graduates join resident medical officer (RMO) roles in hospitals to gain additional experience before committing to a specific specialty.

Residencies often last 1-2 years, allowing doctors to refine their skills in different areas of medicine.

General Registration

Once you finish your internship and have the required clinical experience, you can apply for General Registration with the Medical Board of Australia. This allows you to work as a fully licensed doctor in Australia.

General Practice (GP)

Becoming a General Practitioner (GP) in Australia involves a structured path that includes completing medical training, gaining work experience, and undertaking specialized training. In total, becoming a GP in Australia typically takes about 8-10 years, including medical school, internship, and training.

After obtaining general registration, you need to enter the General Practice (GP) training program. This is provided through two main organizations:

This is provided through two main organizations:

• Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP): Offers training for GPs in urban and rural areas.
• Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM): Focuses on training doctors for rural and remote practice.

The GP training program is usually 3-4 years long, depending on the program you choose and whether you wish to focus on rural or urban areas. The training program consists of both on-the-job training and academic learning. You will need to complete various assessments, exams, and assignments.

International medical graduates (IMGs) can also pursue the GP route, but they must ensure their medical degree is recognized by the Medical Board of Australia.

To bill Medicare for GP services, you will need to obtain a Medicare provider number. This can be arranged through Services Australia once you’re a fully qualified GP.

Once you become a GP, you must engage in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to maintain your registration and stay updated with medical advancements. CPD is required by the Medical Board of Australia and can include conferences, workshops, and courses.

Specialization (Postgraduate Training)

• Specialist Training: After completing the internship year, you can pursue further specialization in a field of medicine (e.g., surgery, cardiology, pediatrics, psychiatry, etc.).
• Duration: Training can last anywhere from 3-7 years depending on the specialty.
• Pathways:
  • Apply to a Specialist College in your chosen area (e.g., Royal Australian College of Surgeons for surgery, Royal Australian College of Physicians for internal medicine).
  • Enter structured training programs with a combination of supervised practice and exams.

If you want flexibility and variety, you can work as a locum doctor, filling temporary roles in hospitals or clinics. This is an option for doctors who want to gain diverse experiences or need a break before committing to a particular career path.

Work Abroad

• If you want to work outside Australia, you may need to complete additional certification depending on the country’s requirements.
• For example:
  • In the UK, you would need to go through the PLAB exam and potentially join the NHS.
  • In Canada, you would need to apply for residency programs and pass the MCCQE exams.
  • In the US, you would need to complete the USMLE exams and apply for a residency program.