Prevocational training is the foundation of medical education from which doctors develop competencies and skills after completing their basic medical qualification.

Australia

In Australia medical graduates spend a minimum of one year of their prevocational training primarily in public hospitals and /or community settings. Postgraduate Medical Education Councils (PMCs) have been established in all Australian states and territories to oversee prevocational medical training and educational opportunities during these postgraduate years.

The core responsibility of PMCs is the oversight of the education and training of doctors in their first postgraduate year (PGY1). However, the PMC responsibilities vary and some have responsibility for the education and training of doctors in their PGY2 years, and other PMCs extend responsibility to doctors not in college training programs.

For information on the current review of the National Framework for Medical Internship being undertaken by the Australian Medical Council, please click here.

International Medical Graduates in Australia

International Medical Graduates (IMGs) or former overseas medical students, that is persons who were not an Australian citizen or permanent resident when they commenced study for their medical degree in Australia, can come to Australia on either a temporary basis or a permanent basis.

Rules regarding the registration of IMGs differ depending on:

  • immigration status, that is permanent or temporary;
  • whether the primary medical qualification was obtained in New Zealand; and
  • the requirements of the Australian State and Territory medical registration authorities

Each Postgraduate Medical Council or equivalent body has information for IMGs on their respective websites.

International Medical Graduates should also refer to the Medical Board of Australia for the process for assessing the knowledge and clinical skills of graduates seeking to qualify for registration in Australia.

Aotearoa New Zealand

Graduates of Aotearoa New Zealand and Australian accredited medical schools complete prevocational training. This programme ensures that postgraduate year 1 (PGY1) and postgraduate year 2 (PGY2) doctors continue to build on their undergraduate education. Interns complete a minimum of 12 months in each postgraduate year, in an intern training programme, provided by an accredited training provider.

Details about the PGY1 and PGY2 requirements are available on Te Kaunihera Rata o Aotearoa | the Medical Council of New Zealand website.

International medical graduates in Aotearoa New Zealand

There are several different registration pathways for international medical graduates (IMGs) in Aotearoa New Zealand. IMGs should refer to the ‘Getting registered’ section of the Te Kaunihera Rata o Aotearoa | the Medical Council of New Zealand website.