Hi all, this is basically from the thread started by Bertuff, summarized with some points added.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How does one apply for the AMC exam? What are the requirements?
To apply for the AMC exam, you have to go through the Australian Medical Council site. You have to fill the preliminary application form and submit together with the fees to the AMC. You will receive a GP pack after around 2 weeks, containing pamphlets, information booklets and application form for the MCQ exam. All requirements will be enumerated in the handbook contained in the GP pack.
Generally to apply for the exam, one is required to have:
MBBS/MD
Minimum of Band 7 in all aspects in IELTS
Internship is not required, but advised.
The dates and fees for the exam are located at the AMC site.
Comments regarding AMC exam:
According to a post at the thread, AMC is probably more difficult than PLAB
but almost similar to MLE. Except the clinical exam is a bit tough.
What are the recommended books for the AMC exam? How are the exams conducted?
Comments regarding the recommended books by AMC: by Bertuff
Those books are just useless in my eyes. Only thing that we need is the pattern of questions. Theory material is same all over the world. Its the way of making MCQs that differs. So try for MCQs not for text books only. What ever books you have read in MBBS is sufficient.
Comments regarding the previous papers: by Bertuff
You will not be able to get the previous papers due to legal foundations and you will have to find someone in person. It is available, its just the hard work. If Australians find the paper they can charge you something like But I didn’t need them to clear AMC, so don’t be disheartened if you couldn’t get it.
Do i really need to take bridging course in Australia
to clear examinations conducted by AMC? If so, let me know the institutes providing the bridging course.
No, one doesn't have to take a bridging course to pass the exams.
Can I prepare by self study for clearing the exams?
Definitely! You just have to manage your time and study well.
Do any institutes overseas help candidates for the preparation of this examination?
For the AMC, I don't think there are institute overseas to help you prepare, unless you choose Kaplan (which is for USMLE
preparation).
Are AMC exams conducted only in Australia
?
Yes, there's no other place.
And would the 1 year period of Internship overseas be considered as 1 year of experience?
No.
After clearing the AMC exams, will one be eligible to work?
One can only get area of need job BEFORE MCQs, u can only get hospital & area of need job AFTER MCQs. After clearing both steps, sky is the limit. Once you pass AMC your chances and path is the same as local grads. Here, you start to think about PG in the 3rd year out, and as other have said before it is not a masters course, but an on the job training and course work - expect 3 odd year for basic specialisation and another 3+ for advanced training (super specialisation).
Advise from the posts in the forum:
So I think that you first work hard and clear AMC and think about PG and all later. It's going to be a long way. There is not a very good salary but for the time being that is enough. I never think of doing any thing except Medicine and can't advice you any thing other than medical job. We are doctors and we are meant for Medicine only not for other 'sort' of job.
There is NO shortage of specialists - the numbers here are extremely tightly controlled by the respective colleges - this is so they have control over supply and demand. They do not recognise overseas postgraduate qualifications, simply because they don't have to. If you are looking to move to Australia
permanently, Iwould tough out the AMC - better long term scope. If you want to make a wad of cash and move back to your own country, "areas of need " will be very fulfilling.
What are the expenses incurred when one stays in Australia
?
Expenses depend on person to person and where you will stay and lot of other things. Costs will vary - Sydney, Melbourne will be very expensive - regional areas like Newcastle, etc will be cheaper, ie. rent. Brisbane is pretty expensive now, Darwin, Adelaide, Perth will be cheaper. Costs below are fairly rough, and based on Brisbane - but around $200/week or more. Rent - $150-250 per week in a nice unit close to major, food - ~$50/week, miscellaneous - $30-60/week (e.g. public transport, textbooks, meals out, etc). Buying a car is expensive - ongoing petrol, servicing, registration, insurance, plus around $2-5K for the cheapest cars.
Cost are based from the experience of those who have posted around the forum.
Is USMLE
, PLAB
, MCCQE and other exams recognized in Australia
?
No, Australia
doesn't recognize these other exams. They have their own, AMC exams.
After clearing MRCP
, what opportunities do I have? As answered by Bertuff.
Now you have a lot of opportunities as the MRCPis well recognized in Australia
. But still you will have to clear the AMC exam. I feel you have a wonderful chance to get a excellent job with good salary in Australia
and if you have no other problem, it is worth trying it.
Is getting a job better in Australia
than in US/UK? Australia
is better than UK and also a bit to US for doctors. It's not a waste of time and money, but every good thing requires some investment.
Comments regarding Australia
, by Bertuff
Coming to Australia
vs.UK, money is far better in UK, however, working conditions, quality of life, education for kids (ie for cities and regional areas, not so much rural) is fantastic. So many UK docs are trying to get to Australia
for these very reasons. I don't know anyone in Australia
who has regretted their decision.
How does one apply for a job? Is it online?
One can apply for jobs through recruitment agencies, or directly through hospitals. If you get a job placement, the hospital will be the one to guide you through registration in the State Boards.
One can apply online, or by mail. Each State has information regarding this.
What are the guidelines of the interview with the Medical Board after you have been offered a position in Australia
? Do they give simple clinical scenarios or what exactly is the format? Do they assess my knowledge and clinical competency, or just cross-check my documentation? According to Bertuff.
For any registration in Australia
, even for the area of need, you will have to face the interview. In the interview they don’t check your knowledge, but your behaviour, and they see whether you look like doctor or not, eg tattoo, dressing style, hair style etc. They also want to know whether you know that even in area of need, you have to clear AMC as soon as possible.
Can one get into a surgery position in Australia
?
For general surgery, ENT
, and orthopaedics
, or for any surgical branch, entering is very difficult and very lengthy. Australians don't recognise degrees other than MBBS so you all will have to do the specialization again and it takes 8 to 10 years if everything goes all right. However- there is one way for specialist to practice, you can be "specialist" in the area of need.
Re: Treatment of doctors in Australia
by Bertuff
Average Australian doctor will not be very happy to take us. You can understand this, there is nothing wrong in it. I remember in India, I didn’t like doctors from overseas and donation colleges, although it can feel bad but that the truth. Similarly here they don’t like and this is well understood. There are a lot of doctors in India who get the degree without knowing the position of spleen (I know one personally), and because of that everyone suffers. So the Australians say that you are not a qualified doctors, if you are- PROVE IT. But remember, after clearing the AMC exams, there is no distinction and doctors and the patients likes you. You have proved that you are efficient. There is no race difference here. Because some fraud cases overseas, all the applications of doctors are now processed only in Australia
. You must remember that whites are very strict in doctors and once granted registration, they trust you a lot. They have their own rules and they are good that’s why you want to come here. So I say not to criticize them but prove your efficiency. They need you, its just the selection and time. Even when they need the doctors, they will not break the rules. So don’t get disheartened, you will enjoy more later if you will got it with difficulty, if it would have been so easy, there would have been no fun, like going US or UK is no fun now. And remember, Australians are learning from the mistakes of US and UK. So they will not keep the doors open for you for long.
Can a visitor's visa be changed in Australia
?
Visitor's visa can be changed to different one while you are on visit. For more information, please visit the Australia
Visa forum or more importantly, the Immigration site of Australia
.
Advise from Bertuff:
Let me clear something. Someone came here on tourist visa, gave AMC part one, cleared, now can’t apply job on tourist visa, so he changed it into temporary resident visa, then got the job. It’s a theoretical possibility.
Second person came on area of need position on temporary resident visa, got both steps of AMC cleared, applied for full condition, did internship, got full registration, got permanent residence. Cool life and safer.
Choice is yours!
Re: Migrating to Australia
from Canada
I don’t think that job wise Australia
is any better than Canada
, as I must tell you that the AMC is very influenced by the Canadian Medical Council. A lot of rules and the medical literature has been taken from Canada
! The exam I supposed, is quite similar to that of Canada
but I can’t confirm it. if you see the publications of AMC, most of them have been taken from Canadian Medical Council., so I will say that if you are settled in Canada
and practising Medicine, it would be a bad idea to come here unless you don’t like that country. If you have cleared CMC and not able to do a job, AMC exam would be easier for you. However if you can’t clear exam there, there are very little chances that you will do here as the pattern is very similar.
Final word from Bertuff: I think that none wants to read the previous discussions and a lot of posts are just repetitions! Please be serious and if I am working for nothing, I only expect reasonable questions. Please quote the previous mails if still any doubt.
Seats are limited candidates are in millions. The one with the brain or luck will get the position, otherwise "somebody" will just blame others.
Just remember, if you will get something with hard work, you will understand the value of that and there is no fun in spoonfeeding. And he ended up with these words: I guess I don't have anything to tell to this forum, and from my side this forum has been closed. Thanks for your patience and all the best....
Therefore, please do read the threads in the forum first and foremost before asking your questions, as I'm sure most of it are already in the forum.
The following is a very common question seen in the Australia
forum:
Hi, I am [person's name]. I've graduated from [University, Place] and I've [X] years of experience in [specialty, PG]. I am interested in Australia
.
Followed by the following questions:
What are my chances/prospects of getting a job in Australia
? OR Can I apply in AON? OR Can anyone guide me how to go about it?
If you've read the previous posts in this thread, I would assume your queries have been answered.
However, to recap...
Generally, For a fresh graduate, YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE AMC ROUTE (ie, take the AMC exam). After passing both exams, then that's the time you can apply for work/ registration.
For those with less than 2 years of experience, you may try to apply for work (but they usually requires a minimum of 2 years of postinternship experience), or you may opt to follow the exam route.
For those with 2 years or more of experience, or for those with a year of experience in UK (may be also in US or Canada
), can apply for an AON position.
Or one may opt to apply for a course in Australia
for a year or two, and take the AMC exam while doing the course.
Reagrding working in Australia
as a specialist, I think the State boards would be able to answer your queries.
To guide you through application for the AMC exam, go to
I would say that most of your queries will be answered when you visit that site. There are also several threads here in this forum which may give you an overview of Australia
, some of which has already been summarized for your convenience, in this thread.
Overview of the AMC exam with the URLs for the compilation of MCQs:
Another common questions: Is [other exams, eg. PLAB
/USMLE
/MCCQE] be of any help in taking the AMC exam?
Will my [other exam] be recognized in Australia
?
I would think having taken other exams would benefit one, as Nonie has already replied that:
Quote:
If you have passed PLAB
, then you have the basic knowledge of the type of questions asked. The difference is the topic a particular exam stresses more upon. That can very well be found out by reading recalls and recommended books. I think if you have passed PLAB
then you must have refreshed your MBBS knowledge which would help you in AMC as well. Also clinicals would be easier and you would feel more confident.
Other exams WILL NOT BE RECOGNIZED in Australia
, as they have their own AMC exams.
Prospects in Australia
is still good, as Rajsarin have said... it's now or never.
Remember also that they may or may not recognize your experience, but like what others have said, you have to persevere to get a position. As always, there will be exceptions as well.
"APPRECIATE NIC FOR HIS GREAT CONTRIBUTION"
Are we sure whether NIC is Him or Her?
Just a querry....
Nonethe less we must appreciate. I have been a great fan of NIC for the contributions and effort he/she has put in.
You are doing splendid job.......and all of your efforts to make things clear and simple are incredible.
I would like to have your point of view on an issue that I have also asked from Plabotomy, Nonnie and Pragathi.
In todays scenario and for the coming yr 2006.............what are the chances for getting a job ( under AON 'OR' Unaccreditated post ) for a person having cleared M.D.(Med.) from India + AMC- 1.........looking at the massive inflow of the docs to Oz.
Does clearing of AMC-2 assures for the job and training position in OZ.
I think for a person who had an MD with experience and has cleared AMC1, has a good chance of securing a post either in AON and unaccreditated post.
I would think that clearing AMC2 would assure you a job in a hospital, and a training position in the future. Australia
just opened their doors for IMG/OTD some time ago, so I think the chance of getting work as a doctor is still good.
Summary of the thread started by Dolive: Career Options in Australia
for M.B.B.S graduates
Is getting an MPH a good option?
I certainly think that it is a good option, if you can afford it! It doesn't really cost much though, with the banks offering student loans left, right & centre! Plus, you get to work too. The other thing that you should remember is that once you go & spend 2yrs on a Australian Student Visa, getting a US Visa later on might be a tad easier; should you want to shift base to U.S.
Where can I get information regarding MPH?
Go to IDP Australia
office. They have brochures of all the Australian universities & you could go through them. They will be most ready to guide you too! They don't charge you for anything, so nothing to lose! The other option would be Planet education, they have brochures too & will guide you. So take your pick.
What is the cost of the courses for MPH? What are the other expenses?
Most of the courses cost around 12k AU per year & there's a ~12k per annum of additional living expenses (according to the University Student Expenses Guidances, issued every year). Working for 20hours/week, in a job area like that of Medical Transcriptioners can pay around half of the 24k that you get to spend.
Can one apply for a PR when doing MPH?
One can apply for a PR only if you do the courses from certain regional universities, the list of which is available at the DIMIA site. As for checking the status of whether the particular campus is a regional one or not, I suggest you talk to the university representative or the education agency through which you applied. They are more in the loop & would have definite information on PR issues. One has to study for two continuous years in same university to be eligible for PR. The only advantage in studying in a rural area is you get 5 extra points. Its not easy to get PR, because you need to be talented and your skills will be assessed. (for PR, you will need 120points). The benefits of having a PR & then applying for a HMO Job are substantial. And depending upon your AMC Grades, you do have the chance of landing up a job in one of the bigger central hospitals rather than being thrown in the "Bush".
Is one allowed to take the AMC exam while doing MPH?
One is allowed to take the AMC exam while doing MPH.
What are the courses that can increase my chances of working in a hospital in the future?
There are some really good courses that can help your CV when you apply for a Medical Doctor's job in a hospital. Notably, Tropical Medicine, Infectious Diseases or EBM E-learning courses. This is certainly a good route, even better for those who have friends/family that they can put up with when in Oz. But this does take up some time (which you can use to pass both the AMC parts).
Re: MPH and Citizenship
One can get maximum points for Australian immigration when you do MPH and take research epidemiology, Biostatistics
and other research subjects which can give you recognition as a "medical scientist". I did it from University of Wollongong in 2003. Fee for one semester then was 7000 AUdollars. Living expenses in Sydney is around 700 dollar a month. You can live in Sydney and drive to Wollongong (70 km). They increased pass points for migration last year. Its better you get 7.0 or more in all modules of academic IELTS
.
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