AMC Exams and the Standard Pathway for Overseas Doctors
Information current as at October 2026. Rules, fees and lists change often, so check your own circumstances with us before you act.
If you are an international medical graduate (IMG) who is not a specialist and does not qualify for the Competent Authority pathway, you will usually register in Australia through the Standard pathway. That pathway runs through the Australian Medical Council (AMC): you verify your qualifications, pass the AMC computer adaptive test (CAT) MCQ, and then earn the AMC Certificate by passing the AMC clinical exam or completing a workplace based assessment (WBA).
This page walks you through each stage, the fees the AMC currently lists, and how the exams fit with your job search and visa. For an overview of every registration route, see Ahpra registration pathways for IMGs.
The Standard pathway in five stages
Clinical exam or workplace based assessment?
Both lead to the AMC Certificate. The right choice depends on whether you already have a job offer and how you prefer to be assessed.
- An objective structured clinical exam of about 16 stations, each around eight minutes, testing history taking, examination, diagnosis, management, counselling and communication.
- Offered in person at the AMC National Test Centre in Melbourne and in an online format.
- You can sit it before or after you obtain registration.
- Suits doctors who want to finish the exams before they look for work, because passing both exams opens provisional registration and a wider choice of jobs.
AMC fees you should budget for
The AMC sets its own fees, which are separate from Ahpra and visa charges. These are the amounts the AMC lists at the time of writing. Check the AMC fee schedule before you pay, as fees can change.
| Item | Fee (AUD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| AMC portfolio establishment | $642 | Includes one qualification; about $107 for each additional qualification |
| AMC CAT MCQ | $2,920 | Per attempt |
| AMC clinical exam, in person | $3,000 | Per attempt; a resit is charged in full |
| AMC clinical exam, online | $3,400 | Includes an online delivery charge |
| Workplace based assessment | About $1,070 | Charged by the AMC; the provider may have its own costs |
| Primary source verification | Varies | Paid through MyIntealth; depends on the number of documents |
You will also pay an English test, Ahpra application and registration fees, translations, travel to the exam if you sit in person, and later your visa charges. Our costs and timeline page brings all of these together.
English language and other registration standards
Passing the AMC exams is not the same as being registered. When you apply to Ahpra you must also meet the Medical Board’s registration standards:
- English language skills: an accepted test (for example IELTS Academic or OET) at the Board’s required scores, unless you qualify for an exemption based on your education in a recognised English-speaking country.
- Recency of practice: you must have practised recently enough, or complete a plan to return to practice.
- Criminal history: you declare and, where asked, provide checks.
- Professional indemnity insurance and continuing professional development (50 hours a year through an AMC-accredited CPD home) once registered.
How the exams fit with your job search and visa
Most doctors on the Standard pathway follow one of two routes:
- Exams first: pass the MCQ and clinical exam while you are still overseas, then apply for jobs and provisional registration. Your employer then sponsors you on a Skills in Demand (482) visa.
- MCQ then work: pass the MCQ, secure a position (often in a regional hospital or an area of need role), obtain limited registration, and sit the clinical exam or complete WBA while you work in Australia on a sponsored visa.
If you need to come to Australia only to sit the clinical exam in person, you would normally use a visitor visa. You cannot work on a visitor visa.
Regional and rural hospitals often recruit Standard pathway doctors. If you will work in general practice and bill Medicare, read our page on Distribution Priority Areas and Medicare provider numbers before you accept an offer.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to pass the AMC MCQ before I apply for jobs?
You can apply for jobs at any time, but on the Standard pathway you must pass the AMC CAT MCQ before you can apply to Ahpra for registration. Most employers will not make a firm offer until you have passed it.
Can I sit the AMC MCQ outside Australia?
Yes. The MCQ is delivered at test centres in many countries. Check the AMC booking information for available locations and dates.
How long does the Standard pathway take?
It depends on how quickly you pass the exams and find a position. Preparing for and passing two exams, plus verification and the job search, commonly takes a year or more. You then complete 12 months of supervised practice before general registration.
I am a specialist. Should I take the AMC exams?
Usually not. Specialists should first check the Expedited Specialist pathway and specialist recognition through the relevant college. The Standard pathway is mainly for non-specialists, or for specialists assessed as not comparable.
Does passing the AMC exams give me points for a skilled visa?
The exams are a registration step, not a visa step. For a skilled visa you need a skills assessment for your occupation, which for medical practitioners is based on Medical Board registration. See state nomination for health professionals.
Is there a limit on attempts?
Check the AMC rules that apply when you book. Each attempt is charged in full, so prepare thoroughly before you sit.
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