Australia is one of the most sought-after destinations for Indian doctors — excellent salaries, structured training pathways, and a clear route to permanent residency. But the journey from Indian MBBS to practising in Australia runs through the Australian Medical Council (AMC), and it involves multiple exams, English testing, and a registration process that requires careful planning. This guide walks you through the entire standard pathway.
Step 1: Meet the Basic Requirements
- A recognised primary medical qualification — your MBBS from an NMC (formerly MCI) recognised institution.
- Completion of your rotating internship.
- A valid English language test result (see Step 2).
Your Indian MBBS is recognised by the AMC, but you must demonstrate equivalence to Australian medical standards through the AMC examination process.
Step 2: Pass Your English Language Test
AHPRA requires English proficiency with no exemptions:
- IELTS Academic: 7.0 in each individual band
- OET: Listening 350, Reading 360, Writing 350, Speaking 360 (April 2026 numeric thresholds)
- PTE Academic: 65 in each communicative skill
Score combining is permitted from two sittings within twelve months. Start this step early — it is the most common bottleneck and takes most doctors 2 to 4 months of preparation.
Step 3: Pass AMC CAT MCQ Examination
The AMC Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) is a multiple-choice exam testing clinical knowledge across all core medical disciplines. It is available at Pearson VUE test centres worldwide, including India.
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- Format: Computer-adaptive, 150 questions
- Duration: 3.5 hours
- Content: Medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, psychiatry, public health
- Pass mark: Determined by standard-setting; approximately 60–65%
- Cost: Approximately AUD 2,970
The AMC CAT covers breadth rather than depth. It tests your ability to make safe clinical decisions across the full scope of general practice. Most Indian MBBS graduates find the medical content familiar but need to adjust to the Australian clinical guidelines and decision-making frameworks.
Step 4: Pass AMC Clinical Examination
The AMC Clinical Examination is an OSCE-style practical exam conducted in Australia. It tests your ability to take a history, perform a focused examination, interpret investigations, and communicate with patients.
- Format: 16 stations, 8 minutes each
- Content: History-taking, examination, communication, clinical reasoning
- Location: AMC centres in Australia only — you must travel for this exam
- Cost: Approximately AUD 3,680
Alternatively, some doctors choose the Workplace Based Assessment (WBA) pathway, where clinical skills are assessed during supervised practice in an AMC-accredited hospital over 6 to 12 months. The WBA pathway avoids the high-stakes single exam but requires you to be in Australia on a suitable visa.
Step 5: Apply for AHPRA Registration
With both AMC exams passed and a valid English test, apply for medical registration through the AHPRA practitioner portal. Processing takes 60 to 90 business days. The annual registration fee is approximately AUD 1,058.
Step 6: Secure a Visa
- Subclass 482 (TSS): Employer-sponsored temporary visa. Most common for doctors with a confirmed job offer. Leads to permanent residency after 2 years.
- Subclass 189/190: Independent skilled migration. Requires high points (age, English, experience) but does not need employer sponsorship.
- Subclass 500: Student visa if you enter a WBA or bridging program first.
Total Costs
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- English test: AUD 250–590
- AMC CAT MCQ: AUD 2,970
- AMC Clinical Exam: AUD 3,680
- AHPRA registration: AUD 1,058/year
- Visa (Subclass 482): AUD 1,330
- Total: Approximately AUD 9,000–10,000 (INR 5–5.5 lakh) excluding travel
Timeline
Typical timeline from starting English preparation to practising in Australia: 12 to 24 months. The biggest variables are English test preparation time, AMC Clinical Exam scheduling (limited dates, high demand), and visa processing.
Salary
Doctors in Australia earn AUD 100,000 to 200,000+ per year depending on specialty, seniority, and location. Junior hospital medical officers start at approximately AUD 90,000 to 110,000. General practitioners typically earn AUD 150,000 to 300,000. These figures are before tax but significantly higher than comparable positions in India even after accounting for cost of living.
The AMC pathway is demanding but well-defined. Start with your English test, pass AMC CAT while in India, then plan your move to Australia for the Clinical Exam or WBA. Every step has a clear requirement and timeline — the key is starting early and maintaining momentum.
Where to next?
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