Training options

Training and education has a vital and ongoing role for the medical profession---whether to assist in gaining recognition, registration or Fellowship, or as part of ongoing professional development and maintenance of skills.

As an employer, you should try to facilitate opportunities for your overseas trained doctors (OTDs) to undertake further study and training. This can range from providing appropriate time for them to study and to attend examinations, to helping them to find and access relevant professional development and training courses. The resources listed in this section should help point you in the right direction.

Naturally, the ability to speak and understand English proficiently is a vital (and compulsory) part of medical registration for OTDs in Australia. There are a number of English language training options available to help OTDs get up-to-speed with general English communication skills or more specific communication issues for the medical profession in Australia.

A number of Bridging courses have been designed to assist OTDs to gain Australian medical registration and introduce them to the Australian health system. Alternatively, your OTD may be specifically interested in Postgraduate training. There is also information here on the Australian General Practice Training Program.

If you have an Occupational or Postgraduate trainee position available for an OTD, make sure you review the requirements under Medical registration first.

Other sources of information about training programs and related assistance available to OTDs can be found from the organisations listed under the section Ongoing professional support.

You should also check under Orientation programmes for training information relating to the Australian healthcare system and cultural awareness.