Specialist recognition

There are 2 types of specialist recognition in Australia. They are:

• recognition by an Australian Specialist Medical College of an overseas trained specialist's (OTS) qualifications as being equivalent to those of an Australian trained specialist currently entering the workforce; and


• recognition as a specialist by Medicare Australia for Medicare billing purposes.

The first type of specialist recognition listed above relates to medical registration and allows the OTS to practise independently/unsupervised as a specialist in Australia. You can find more information about this kind of recognition on DoctorConnect under standard pathway for specialist assessment in Australia.

Information on the Area of Need assessment pathway for specialists in Australia can also be found on DoctorConnect. However, employers should note that the Area of Need pathway does not provide full specialist recognition in Australia.

The second type of specialist recognition listed above allows a specialist to provide services that attract a higher ‘specialist’ rebate under Medicare. This is explained in more detail below.

An OTS must have specialist recognition from Medicare Australia if they wish to be eligible for Medicare rebates at the higher specialist or consultant physician rates.

Temporary and permanent resident OTSs are treated slightly differently under these arrangements and details of application processes for recognition as a specialist for Medicare billing purposes can be found on Medicare Australia's website.

For further information on specialist recognition for Medicare billing purposes, phone Medicare Australia on +61 2 6124 6028 (international) or (02) 6124 6939 (in Australia) or email srac@medicareaustralia.gov.au.