The Practice Experience Program (PEP) Specialist Stream is a crucial component of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners’ (RACGP) Fellowship Pathways for International Medical Graduates (IMGs). This programme offers a structured and supportive pathway for IMGs seeking to become specialist general practitioners in Australia.

The PEP Specialist Stream is tailored to IMGs with prior general practice experience and significant qualifications in the field. This programme is essential in recognising the skills and knowledge these doctors bring to the Australian healthcare landscape. Through a combination of supervised practice, assessments, and educational support, the PEP Specialist Stream ensures that IMGs are well-prepared to provide high-quality care to the diverse Australian patient population.

The PEP Specialist Stream is a testament to the commitment of the RACGP to maintain the highest standards in general practice and ensure that all doctors, regardless of their background, can deliver exceptional care to the Australian community. By offering a structured and supportive pathway, the programme is a win-win for both IMGs and the Australian healthcare system, contributing to the overall health and well-being of the nation. For IMGs seeking to practice as specialist general practitioners in Australia, the PEP Specialist Stream is a vital and valuable opportunity and Medfuture is there to help you find the best possible vacancies.

The comparability assessment!

This assessment plays a crucial role in evaluating the compatibility of an IMG’s overseas qualifications, skills, and experience with the Australian standards for general practice.

The assessment process takes into account various factors, including the IMG’s medical degree, postgraduate qualifications, and years of experience in general practice. It aims to determine the level of comparability between the IMG’s qualifications and experience and the requirements for general practice in Australia. This evaluation is crucial as it helps identify any gaps in knowledge or skills that the IMG may need to address before they can practice independently. The strength and benefit of the Comparability Assessment is that it allows for a tailored approach.

The main goal of the Comparability Assessment is not to facilitate their integration into the Australian healthcare system. By identifying areas where additional training or support may be required, the assessment helps IMGs bridge any gaps and ensures that they can provide safe and high-quality care to Australian patients.

Eligibility Requirements

The eligibility requirements for the Practice Experience Programme (PEP) Specialist Stream, as outlined by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), are designed to ensure that International Medical Graduates (IMGs) with prior general practice experience and qualifications meet the necessary standards for practicing as specialist general practitioners in Australia. These requirements are a crucial step in maintaining the high quality of healthcare delivery in the country.

• Medical Qualifications: IMGs must have a recognised primary medical degree or equivalent qualifications. This is a fundamental requirement to ensure that the applicant has a solid foundation in medical knowledge and practice.

• General Practice Experience: To be eligible for the PEP Specialist Stream, IMGs must demonstrate prior experience in general practice. This experience typically involves working in a general practice setting and gaining the skills and knowledge required for primary healthcare.

• Eligibility Pathways: IMGs may choose from three distinct eligibility pathways, each tailored to their individual qualifications and experience. These pathways include the Standard Pathway, Specialist Pathway, and Competent Authority Pathway, allowing flexibility to accommodate a variety of backgrounds.

• Language Proficiency: Adequate English language proficiency is a must to ensure effective communication with patients and colleagues. IMGs may need to provide evidence of their English language skills through standardised tests such as IELTS or OET.

• Medical Registration: IMGs must hold medical registration or be eligible for registration in Australia. This ensures that they meet the legal requirements to practice medicine in the country.

• Professional and Medical Indemnity Insurance: IMGs are required to have professional and medical indemnity insurance coverage to protect themselves and their patients in the event of any unforeseen circumstances.

These eligibility requirements are designed to ensure that IMGs possess the necessary qualifications and experience to practice safely and effectively as specialist general practitioners in the Australian healthcare system. And if you have all these necessary requirements, we at Medfuture can help you in obtaining great placements throughout Australia.

Applying for the PEP Specialist Stream

The application process for the Practice Experience Programme (PEP) Specialist Stream, administered by the RACGP, is a critical step for International Medical Graduates (IMGs) seeking to become specialist general practitioners in Australia. This streamlined process is designed to assess the eligibility, qualifications, and readiness of IMGs to practice in the Australian healthcare system.

Key Steps in the Application Process:

• Pre-Application Preparation:

Before applying, IMGs should carefully review the eligibility requirements for the PEP Specialist Stream to ensure they meet all the criteria, which may include prior general practice experience and recognized medical qualifications.

Additionally, you should ensure they have the necessary documentation, such as transcripts, language proficiency test results, and other relevant certificates.

• Submit an Online Application:

The application process begins with the submission of an online application via the RACGP website. IMGs need to provide accurate and complete information to initiate the assessment process.

• Payment of Application Fee:

A non-refundable application fee is typically required, and applicants must pay this fee as part of the application process. The specific fee amount may be subject to change, so it’s essential to check the RACGP website for the most current information.

• Eligibility Assessment:

Once the application is submitted, the RACGP conducts an eligibility assessment to ensure that the applicant meets the programme’s criteria. This includes verifying qualifications, general practice experience, language proficiency, and other prerequisites.

• Interview and Assessment Day:

If the applicant’s eligibility is confirmed, they may be invited for an interview and assessment day. This step is crucial in evaluating the applicant’s knowledge, skills, and readiness for the programme.

• Outcome Notification:

After the assessment day, applicants will receive notification of the outcome of their application. Successful applicants will be invited to participate in the PEP Specialist Stream.

• Enrolment and Orientation:

Enrolled IMGs will need to complete the necessary paperwork and participate in an orientation process to familiarise themselves with the programme’s structure and requirements.

• Commencement of the Programme:

Once enrolled, IMGs will embark on their PEP Specialist Stream journey, which typically includes supervised practice, ongoing assessments, and educational support to enhance their skills and knowledge.

The application process for the PEP Specialist Stream is a comprehensive and thorough procedure designed to ensure that IMGs have the qualifications, experience, and readiness to provide high-quality healthcare in Australia.

Fees for the PEP certification

The PEP specialist programme fee covers medical educator meeting support, workplace-based assessments, multisource feedback tool, access to the PEP portal learning units, provider number authorisation and administration and general programme administration, which all sums up to AU$8000 for substantially comparable applications and partially comparable applications.

RACGP membership fee (Registrar) (pro-rata) for substantially and partially comparable sum up to AU$ 474. Exams such as AKT, KFP, CCE sum up to AU$ 9430 for partially comparable whilst substantially comparable applications do not have fees to pay. When looking at the grand total for Substantially comparable applications come up to grand total of AU$ 9049 and partially comparable applications come up to AU$ 18,479.

Frequently asked questions

• How long will it take to process an application and receive an outcome?

An application is only considered finished when no more comments are received asking for more details or supporting materials. Within ten weeks of submitting a completed application, applicants will get a notification regarding the status of the application. Assessment times beyond this point may be delayed if requests for more information are not fulfilled.

• Can an extension be requested to complete the online application?

After making a deposit, applicants have six months to finish their online application. To obtain an extension, submit an email to educationsupport@racgp.org.au if you are unable to finish your application within the allotted six months. Changing the expiration date of your most recent outcome letter is not covered by this extension.

• How long is the outcome letter valid for?

The validity period of all comparability assessment results is 12 calendar months from the date of the evaluation. Within this time, you must begin the programme and finish all application requirements. If the results of your comparability evaluation expire before you start the programme, you have to reapply.

• What from the training can be included in recency/ general practice experience?

Your evaluation of recent experience and general practice experience may be influenced by the general practice training you have received. Ensure that the supporting documentation you have comes from the practices themselves, not just a training organisation. Please refer to the instructions for finishing the PEP Specialist Stream Comparability Assessment for information on letter of support requirements.

• What is needed for a job offer to be approved?

The Australian government has approved the Practice Experience Program (PEP) Specialist Stream, a 3GA programme that aims to give medical services to communities that are most in need. In order to be eligible for Medicate rebates under section 19AB of the Health Insurance Act 1973, international medical graduates with an overseas specialised diploma have been required by the Australian Government to work in a Distribution Priority Area (DPA) as of July 1st, 2019.

Provider numbers will only be given to SIMGs who offer the following jobs:

It is housed in a Modified Monash Model (MMM) 2–7 location, which satisfies the RACGP criteria of comprehensive general practice.

• If the health workforce certificate is obtained, is it necessary to get the job offer approved?

Yes, the Health Workforce Certificate is not proof that a position satisfies the comprehensive general practice definition as stated by the RACGP.

• If the Specialist qualification is not listed, how do you undertake a comparability assessment?

A curriculum assessment is a prerequisite for applying for a comparability assessment. Please see the PEP Specialist Stream Eligibility page for instructions on how to obtain a curriculum comparison.

• How to access a provider number?

Before applying for a provider number through the RACGP, eligible specialist international medical graduates (SIMGs) must have their job offer accepted by the RACGP and have registration with the Medical Board of Australia (MBA).

The processing of these applications may take up to 12 weeks, and they are only accepted for the authorised practice. An applicant must reapply and get their new practice approved if they change their ways.

•  How long does an individual have to complete the fellowship requirements?

It is your comparability result that determines this.

To be qualified for the Practice Experience Programme (PEP) Specialist Stream, you must be classified as partially or substantially equivalent. You begin working toward the Fellowship criteria the day you start working in Australia.

If the result of your comparability is:

Substantially comparable: if you work a full-time job, you must become a Fellow of the RACGP (FRACGP) within a year.

Partially comparable: If you work full-time, you must obtain FRACGP within 24 calendar months. This includes passing the exams required for RACGP Fellowship.

It will take longer to finish your Fellowship requirements if you work part-time.

• What is the exam eligibility for partially comparable doctors?

Before taking examinations, partially equivalent doctors must:

Finish the workplace-based assessment (WBA) satisfactorily after completing six months of full-time equivalent (FTE) work in an extensive Australian general practice in a position that has been authorised by the RACGP.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the RACGP offers a specialised track called the PEP Specialist Stream as a part of their Practice Experience Programme. The purpose of this programme is to help international medical graduates (IMGs) who want to work in Australia as licensed general practitioners advance their careers. IMGs have the chance to concentrate on developing their clinical knowledge and abilities in certain medical specialties that fit with their desired career paths by means of the Specialist Stream.

Candidates must satisfy the standards and criteria set forth by the RACGP in order to be considered for the PEP Specialist Stream. These requirements usually involve possessing a complete medical license, proving that one has a defined scope of practice, and committing to ongoing professional development.

Apply through Medfuture! Medfuture is committed to matching qualified healthcare workers with appropriate employment opportunities. All you need to do is look through the Medfuture job board or contact us for a consultation.