First in-depth look at IMG expedited pathway’s popularity

As new overseas-trained doctors join Australia’s GP workforce via a fast-tracked pathway, the RACGP is emphasising the need to provide them with support to succeed professionally and practice safely.
 
Despite concerns raised last year by the RACGP, the expedited pathway opened on 21 October to fast-track the registration of eligible Specialist International Medical Graduates (SIMGs), with GPs the first profession chosen for the change.
 
The move was designed to help increase workforce numbers and remove ‘unnecessary regulatory barriers’, according to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
 
Now, six months on from the program going live, new data shows 127 specialists have been registered, including 125 GPs, one anaesthetist and one psychiatrist.
 
Since the pathway opened, 251 internationally qualified specialists have applied for registration in Australia and, of these, 223 applications were from GPs, 13 from anaesthetists, 13 from psychiatrists and two from obstetricians and gynaecologists.
 
AHPRA reported a flow of around 10–15 applicants per week, with 84% looking to come to Australia from the United Kingdom.
 
Under the scheme, eligible SIMGs from the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Ireland can apply directly to the Medical Board of Australia, rather than be assessed individually by a specialist college.
 
AHPRA chief executive Justin Untersteiner welcomed what he described as an ‘encouraging start’ to the new pathway. 
 
‘It is great to see so many practitioners from similar health systems wanting to work in Australia and doing their bit to ease workforce shortages,’ he said.
 
The shortfall of GPs in Australia is predicted to hit 8600 by 2048, and while GP numbers rose 5.1% between 2019 and 2024 to 39,449, the number of full-time equivalent GPs dropped 1.3% during the same period.
 
With a wave of IMGs now entering the GP workforce via the expedited pathway, RACGP President Dr Michael Wright emphasised the importance of working together to ensure these doctors are brought into the profession as colleagues.
 
‘We have to set these doctors up to succeed as they progress through the Medical Board program. It’s vital they have the support of peers and a college,’ he told newsGP.
 
‘The system has to support them to succeed professionally and practice safely.
 
‘Working as a GP in Australia is different to working in the UK, where most of these new GPs are coming from. Health conditions might be similar, but patients’ presentations, priorities, and expectations can differ.
 
‘So, it isn’t just a matter of understanding how Medicare works – although that has its own challenges.’
 
Dr Wright added that the RACGP has introduced support for expedited pathway GPs to ensure they are onboarded into Australian general practice.
 
‘Once the Medical Board has provided us with their contact details, we have a dedicated team to help them navigate their program requirements and advise them of the range of supports and benefits the RACGP can offer,’ he said.
 
Medical Board of Australia Chair Dr Susan O’Dwyer assured patient safety and medical workforce supply are being balanced in the new pathway.
 
‘Patients need to feel safe seeing any medical specialist in Australia and be able to get an appointment when they need one. It’s great the new pathway is starting to help make this happen,’ she said.
 
‘There is stiff global competition for skilled medical specialists, and the data shows the new pathway is helping make Australia a more attractive destination.’
 
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AHPRA IMGs International Medical Graduates Medical Board workforce