Australian Medical Council
Overview
The Australian Medical Council (AMC) recognises NUMed as an institution that issues degrees from Newcastle University UK for the purpose of degree source verification. The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) considers NUMed to be an "eligible offshore course." Students who graduate from NUMed are considered to have a degree from a competent authority country, the UK, which makes them eligible for the Competent Authority Pathway.
The Competent Authority Pathway is for International Medical Graduates who are non-specialist or specialists (including general practitioners) and are seeking general registration with the Medical Board of Australia (the Board). This pathway typically does nort require additional examinations.
Eligible offshore courses
To be eligible for the Competent Authority pathway, via a course conducted wholly or partially outside the competent authority country, the course must be on this list. NUMed is listed in the eligible offshore courses. This list will be reviewed regularly.
Additional information for applicants (Category B)
NUMed graduates are eligible to apply for Competent Authority Pathway under Category B.
Pathways for NUMed Graduates
1. Graduates with Completed 12 Months Supervised Practice
Graduates who have completed 12 months of supervised practice in a competent authority country are eligible to apply through the Competent Authority Pathway. They are granted provisional registration with the medical board, requiring 12 months of supervised practice as a Post Graduate Year 2/Foundation Year 2 or later Resident Medical Officer/Senior House Officer position across general medicine (10 weeks), surgery (10 weeks), and emergency medicine (8 weeks). No restrictions are placed on the remaining weeks. After meeting these requirements, individuals may apply for general registration with AHPRA.
2. Graduates without Completed 12 Months Supervised Practice
In Western Australia, internship positions are regulated by the Post Graduate Medical Council Western Australia (PMCWA). The PMCWA programme provides a pathway for new graduates who have completed their studies in a competent authority country, including NUMed, and who are citizens or permanent residents of Australia or citizens of New Zealand. The programme allows those who have never practiced or registered to complete their internship (F1) in Western Australia.
In cases where graduates are eligible, they apply through the standard pathway for limited registration. As part of the application, candidates must complete the AMC MCQ examination prior to receiving provisional registration and practicing.
Is it possible for NUMed graduates to complete their house officer training or Foundation Year 1 (F1) in GMC-approved hospitals in Malaysia, obtain full registration with GMC and then apply for Competent Authority Pathway?
Unfortunately no. The supervised house officer training or F1 must be completed in a competency authority country. Although NUMed is recognized as an eligible offshore course of Newcastle University, house officer training or F1 in Malaysia do not count as being from a competent authority country, even if approved by the GMC.
Graduates would need to complete their house officer training or F1 year in the UK or another country with a competent authority.