Workplace based assessment for international medical graduates

Medical practitioners who have obtained a primary medical qualification from a training institution in a country other than Australia or New Zealand are known in Australia as international medical graduates (IMGs).

An IMG seeking general registration with the Medical Board of Australia (MBA) via the standard pathway requires an Australian Medical Council (AMC) Certificate.

To achieve the AMC certificate via this pathway, IMG applicants must first pass the AMC computer adaptive test multiple choice questionnaire (AMC CAT MCQ) (external site) and then pass either:

• the AMC clinical examination (external site)

or

• a workplace based assessment (WBA) (external site) of clinical skills and knowledge through an AMC accredited authority.

On completion of one of the above pathways and awarding of the AMC certificate, it will need to be submitted to the MBA standard pathway (external site) for general registration purposes.

Our WBA program

The WBA program assesses an IMG’s clinical skills and knowledge across 6 different clinical areas in the everyday workplace against the level expected of an Australian medical graduate at the end of postgraduate year 1 (PGY1) or internship level. These clinical areas are:

• adult medicine
• adult surgery
• emergency medicine
• obstetrics and gynaecology (women’s health)
• paediatrics (child health)
• psychiatry (mental health).

Throughout the 12-month assessment program, candidates are provided regular feedback to allow for self-assessment, self-correction and reflection as needed. This feedback loop supports candidates to identify their strengths and development areas. The WBA is not a bridging or training course.

To ensure consistency across programs and with AMC examinations, the content and the assessment standard of all accredited WBA programs are approved by the Australian Medical Council (AMC) and overseen by the AMC Board of Examiners.

Throughout the WBA program in Western Australia (WA), IMGs are assessed by experienced senior clinicians across a range of clinical areas, skills and domains. Using multiple assessors broadens the scope of assessment and ensures a more robust assessment process.

Successful completion of the WBA program results in the candidate being awarded the AMC Certificate. Participation in the WBA program does not guarantee general registration; candidates must meet all the requirements of the Medical Board of Australia prior to being granted general registration.

It is the responsibility of each IMG candidate to:

• ensure they obtain sufficient experience across the 6 clinical areas
• complete all assessments in accordance with the AMC approved WBA requirements
• undertake pre-reading and appropriate clinical experience to develop skills in preparation for assessments.

Positions and remuneration

Rockingham General Hospital is accredited for a total of five WBA candidates. Candidates who are successful in their application to participate in the WBA program undertake paid employment at registered medical officer (RMO) level as per the WA Health System Medical Practitioners AMA Industrial Agreement 2022 (external site).

Opportunities to apply for participation in the WBA program have been advertised for places in the 2025 WBA program. Future program opportunities will be advertised on MedCareersWA (external site).

IMGs new to Australian health workforce

The IMG Observership Program is part of a broader WA Health initiative – the IMG Pathway to Registration Project – which aims to support eligible IMGs. The program offers IMGs an opportunity to spend time in a Western Australian hospital to help them understand how the Australian health system works. As part of this initiative, observership placements are being offered at Rockingham General Hospital.

About observerships

Applications for the 2024 observership program have been advertised. Future program opportunities will be advertised on MedCareersWA (external site). 

Candidates who successfully complete the observership program may be eligible to apply to undertake a WBA program – please note completion does not guarantee to entry in a WBA program. 

The length of observership ranges from 6 to 16 weeks, depending on an individual’s level of experience and competency. Observerships are unremunerated positions.

Eligibility

The following are mandatory requirements stipulated by the AMC for participation in the WBA program:

The candidate has authorised the AMC to begin the primary source verification process through the Electronic portfolio of international credentials (EPIC).

The candidate has passed the AMC computer adaptive test (CAT) multiple choice questionnaire (MCQ) examination (onshore or offshore).

The candidate has been assessed as eligible for the standard pathway and has been granted limited registration by the MBA. The MBA requires all applicants for initial registration to demonstrate English language skills to be suitable for registration.

Cost

Successful candidates are required to pay a $12,500 fee to the hospital providing the WBA program. This can be paid in instalments.

This fee funds:

• program-related expenses associated with the management of the program
• delivery of training workshops for supervisors and assessors
• assessor fees
• program governance.

Applicants are also required to pay an administration fee directly to the AMC (external site).

Candidates accepted into the WBA program will be contacted to pay the appropriate fees.

More information

• Information for international medical graduates (WA Health)
• Visit the Australian Medical Council (external site)

Contact us

For further information on our WBA program please email RGH Medical Education.