Australian Medical Council examination

The Australian Medical Council (AMC) conducts an examination process, successful completion of which confers eligibility to apply for full (also called general or unconditional) medical registration in Australia. The AMC does not actually register doctors---this is solely the responsibility of the State and Territory Medical Boards.

The AMC examination consists of:

• a computer-administered multiple choice question (MCQ) examination to test medical knowledge, in 2 parts, each of 3 hours duration, and each containing 125 questions, administered on one day.
• a clinical examination, testing clinical and communication skills, of 3 to 4 hours duration, administered in a single afternoon or morning. A re-test examination, duration of 1 to 2 hours, will be administered if required.

Candidates are required to meet the pass standard in the MCQ examination before being eligible to proceed to the clinical examination. Candidates are also required to meet English language proficiency requirements before being allowed to commence the AMC examination.

The AMC provides a practice test for the Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) examination, which is accessible online. Bridging courses are also available for the AMC examination.

The AMC recommends that you read a range of publications in preparation for the examination. These include the AMC Annotated Multiple Choice Questions, the AMC Anthology of Medical Conditions, and the AMC Examination Specifications Booklet (which provides a comprehensive reading list to candidates preparing for the MCQ and Clinical examinations). These publications can be ordered from the AMC website, but you will need to consent to the AMC recording your personal details before you will be able to view publication information (including prices) and access the order form. Please note that payment via the Internet is accepted for Bankcard or a Mastercard or Visa credit card. All quoted prices are in Australian dollars.

Steps have been taken to develop a joint AMC/Medical Council of Canada international screening examination that would be recognised as part of the requirement for Australian medical registration. You should check the Australian Medical Council’s website for updates on any developments towards introduction of this computer-administered examination.

The AMC examination process is one pathway an overseas trained doctor can take to obtain full medical registration in Australia. Information on other pathways to becoming registered to practise as an overseas trained doctor in Australia can be found in the Registering and qualifying section on DoctorConnect.