Skip to main content

How To Become A GP Specialist in Australia


I have been asked to give info about the specializing in GP for IMGs. This is one topic which mostly people are well versed and is considered the easiest pathway. You need to secure a job in DWS area and then apply to AHPRA. You need to have 3 years GP experience to be considered for registration. RACGP Overseas GP assessment is recommended but not mandatory. GPS are funded federally so we have to comply certain Medicare rules. As an IMG you are restricted by generally two restrictions.
One is 19AB that you have to work in District of workforce shortage (DWS) and if you’re a permanent resident or citizen you need to get 19AA exemption which needs you need to be in a 3GA training program which is a bit more competitive and as an IMG it generally means going rurally.
There are three pathways to GP fellowship (GP is a specialist job in Australia). One is independent pathway and other is through a training program and third is ACRRM which is also another 3GA (very competitive)
Independent pathway require 4 year work as a GP as assessed by RACGP out of which one year needs to be in Australia. You don’t need to have general registration to sit the exams. IMGs who have PR and citizenship can’t go through this pathway. This pathway is least supported and mostly you’ve to work and study by yourself. RACGP is making some study modules for this pathway but it’s early stages for that.
3GA program pathway is where PR and citizens can apply. Most of IMGs end up in this pathway as most aussies don’t want to work in rural area. This training program is of 3 years and you work as a registrar in general practice. You get weekly teaching and regular visits by RTO to check your performance.
The exam for both the pathways is similar. First is AKT exam which is like MCQs and then is the dreaded KFP which has Pass Rate of 50-55% and IMGs have even lower pass rate. Once you pass that then is OSCE and if you pass all of them then you apply for fellowship and then to Medicare. One you become a fellow, 19AA restriction don’t impose on you. You can work in any region.
Third is through ACRRM pathway which is highly competitive as they’ve limited seats expect a lot of skills beforehand to consider you. The exams are generally similar but it definitely helps you in becoming a excellent clinician in rural areas where you’ve got very limited support.
In the end, just my two cent about another issues,I have many IMGs saying they can’t go to rural area due to family commitments even if your spouse/partner is working a white collar job and has to leave it to go with you, still you should consider it because GPS positions are very financially secure and will be able to bear the financial burden till you complete your fellowship. Moreover , it’s truly amazing working in the world's 2nd best health system and even if it requires going to rural area to start your career here, you should seriously consider it..
Just An Update: I'm working on a PDF file containing Interview Tips and a Collection of 120-130 Clinical Examination Recalls from the past 10 years or so. I'll upload it later today when it's ready. I don't own all the recalls they are from other respected doctors who passed the exam. Good Luck.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

USMLE 1--Score 266

My experience: To start with, i would like to thank this group and all of you, this has been a source of constant support; the past experiences, your questions, and the discussions were all so helpful. This is not the typical step one path everyone takes. I graduated last year from the University of Jordan, i started studying in August 2018 and sat for the exam on the 17th of April 2019, i had interruptions in the middle due to many reasons. At the beginning i was overwhelmed by the amount of resources available i had no idea where to start, but i had to start! I did NOT do; Kaplan nor pathoma/golgan or any book honestly for many reasons: 1) I had internship at a hospital so i didn't have enough time 2) i get bored easily from long videos. this doesn’t mean they are not good, they were just not for me. I was trying to find videos that were short and comprehensive; i started doing DIT ( i did half of them honestly I wasn't a fan) then i found about osmosis ( i abso...
Post a Comment
Read more

USMLE Step 1 Experience (262) by Rizwan Zafar

I am writing this experience because I think it might help others avoid the mistakes I made during my preparation. I started preparing for step 1 after my final year result was declared, and I took a long time preparing for it. I did all  subjects from kaplan except pathology, for which i did goljan and it was a big mistake as it took me more than 3 months to complete it along with my medicine rotation and in the end I almost retained none of it. I hadn't completed my first read until the end of my 3rd rotation of house job i.e 9 months for the first read with house job.  I read every subject from kaplan(except patho) along with video lectures for most subjects followed by relevant First aid portion after each subject. For patho I did goljan along with its lectures followed by first aid of patho.            Then I  left my last rotation of house job in view of speeding up the things a bit (no use at all) only to resume it 4 months...
Post a Comment
Read more

HAKUNA MATATA : Story USMLE from 135 to 239 Alhumdulilah.

This post is for you if, you: Have been preparing for the USMLE step 1 for over 2 years Have had several breaks and had to pick up from scratch again every time Have other responsibilities that you cannot excuse yourself from (by this i am pointing towards desi married girls) Were not an academically exceptional student in medical school I always told myself that when i score well on the Step 1, i shall reach out to everyone who maybe (even remotely) are in a place similar to mine. I want to encourage you to keep working at it, to not lose hope and to know it will pay off. Before i start off, i want to stress that Step 1 is NO JOKE. It’s an exam that truly tests you on every level. It tests your memory, understanding, concepts, concentration and patience. Do not take it lightly, do not disregard an mcq or topic thinking less of it (for lack of better words lol) or thinking it’s beyond your comprehension. That said, also engrave it into your mind- there is NO shortcu...
Post a Comment
Read more