Haloo pips!
I have gotten quite a few PMs asking me regarding the process of registration, examination, migration etc. Ngayon ko lang nabasa most of those PMs. So those of you who have sent those messages awhile back, my apologies talaga, I haven't managed to get back to this site for awhile now. I also think it prudent to post here so more interested parties can read. So, I will just hijack this thread and try to put in my 2cents dito.
While I am no migration agent, I also think that the visa part is probably the least worrisome of the entire process. We should probably start with examinations.
CAT MCQ - computer assisted test, multiple choice type. Main book yung MCQ purple book which is available on the AMC website for a fee. There is no online AMC MCQ to do practice tests on. Rough equivalent is the Canadian one. My experience was that it was VERY similar to the actual exam. This makes sense actually because the Australian GP has reciprocity with the Canadian GP college. A bit of caveat though is that I used this online practice test in 2013, 4 years ago na. There might be newer, better options out there. Bottomline I think, is use as much practice test as you can.
CLINICALS - actual, 16-station test. There are scenarios in each room/station. You are expected to pass 12 out of the 16 stations. You are given 8 minutes each station to read any information available, do history, do PE, diagnose/investigate, treat, counsel. Crazy stuff honestly. The patients are actors or medical students or even non-medical people. This requires lots of practice - there are tons of study centres mostly based in Sydney and Melbourne, but they unfortunately run into thousands of dollars. If you can get an equally serious study partner, that can save you precious dollars. Dr Johannes Wenzel used to run Thursday scenarios for clinicals for free in Melbourne but he has recently retired from that due to health issues. Dr Arnab is doing Clinical Hangout on Air - google this and ask to join for regular updates.
WBA - workplace based assessment, alternative to the Clinicals. What it essentially is that you are assessed of your clinical competence while at work. So, instead of taking the exam, you will do assessments in 6 areas (medicine, paeds, ED, surgery, obstetrics, mental health) with 29-30 assessments plus logbook of procedures. Duration is 6-12 months, dependent on the centre. There are only 6 hospitals in Australia offering the WBA, some states do not have centres. Now why would a lot of IMGs compete for a place into the WBA, despite being more expensive and longer than clinicals? Passing rate is 90-99% vs the clinicals which I think currently is 10-30%, do check the latest statistic as I could be way off with current trends. But the clinicals will not be anywhere near the passing rate of the WBA, by any measure.
PESCI - requirement ONLY if you do not have FULL registration with AHPRA, and you want to work in QLD hospital in a level higher than resident physician or you want to work as a GP anywhere in Australia. It is an hour long with panel consultants. You do not need PESCI if working as resident or intern in QLD or any hospital doctor in other states.
Now, regarding obtaining registration (limited or full general):
To be able to obtain medical registration (or license to practice), you will require MCQ+IELTS, the minimum. But obviously you will not be able to even apply for registration if you do not have an employer sponsor. It is a bit counter-intuitive when employers require minimum registration, but you can't get registration without employer sponsorship - duh, right. BUT that is the crux of the matter,folks and nothing much we can do about. Also, if registration given, it will be LIMITED. Meaning limited to the employer and any restriction within such as supervision etc. You can apply for a job armed with MCQ+IELTS only and obtain employer sponsorship. Most employers nowadays however prefer all exams in place already. The employer restrictions will cease if you get FULL (or general) registration. To get full general registration, you will have to pass all the exams, including IELTS and get ONE year of employed supervised practice anywhere in Australia, be it hospital or general practice centres. AHPRA requires at least 12 weeks surgery, 12 weeks medicine and 8 weeks ED to count as sufficient for hospitals plus any other discipline to complete the 1-year. OR one year as a GP.
Also, all these is to get GENERAL registration. To get specialist or consultant registration is a different matter for which requires a whole different discussion. You have to have general registration to do specialty training, then do specialty exams, then be on the way to becoming consultant/specialist. But first things first - get general exams sorted. I think this is the takeaway message here.
Lastly, people have asked if it is worth it? Can't really tell you not knowing your circumstance. Also, I am still in the process myself so don't really know what lies ahead, I am yet to start the road towards specialty exams as well. The opportunities here are far-reaching and extends beyond the medical profession though. It is difficult and expensive process (no doubt an understatement), but medical professionals are generally well-compensated and respected in their communities.
Hope this helps, this is a pretty long post, but hopefully covers the basic. Goodluck to everybody!