Area of Need pathway

Areas of Need (AONs) are declared by the States and Territories in Australia. The Area of Need pathway allows an overseas trained specialist (OTS) the opportunity to:

• practise in Australia while pursuing specialist recognition by the relevant Australian Specialist Medical College under the Standard pathway; or
• undertake any further training or fulfil other assessment activities that the Australian Specialist Medical College may require.

To apply under this pathway, you must have identified an AON position for which an employer considers you suitable and has offered you employment. You can find sources of employment for AON positions in the Finding a job section.

The rest of the process is similar to that of the Standard pathway, but assessment of an OTS’s skills by the relevant Australian Specialist Medical College for an Area of Need position will be against the position requirements rather than against equivalence to an Australian trained specialist. For this reason, an OTS seeking recognition by one of the Colleges, or wishing to eventually practise independently/unsupervised, should also apply for assessment under the Standard pathway.

Applicants under the Area of Need pathway are fast-tracked so that College assessments are typically completed in 6 to 8 weeks following the submission of a satisfactory application. Applicants should submit 2 applications simultaneously, one to the Australian Medical Council and one to the relevant Specialist College, in order to assist them in meeting this timeframe.

If the doctor is assessed by the College as suitable for the AON position, then they may apply to the relevant State or Territory Medical Board for conditional registration to practise in that position. Other conditions may also be imposed by the Medical Board, such as supervision and ongoing assessment requirements.

If the OTS will be treating private patients in the position, he/she will also need to understand Medicare provider number restrictions and obtain specialist recognition for Medicare billing purposes.

OTSs are also required to meet English language proficiency requirements if undertaking the Area of Need pathway for specialist assessment.