What is the AHPRA Expedited Specialist Pathway?

Are you a GP qualified in the UK, NZ or Ireland and considering relocating to Australia?  AHPRA’s Expedited Specialist Pathway offers a streamlined, faster route to gaining specialist registration, meaning you could be practising as a GP in Australia sooner than you think.  This pathway is also often referred to as the AHPRA Fast-track specialist pathway.

This pathway allows applicants to bypass the lengthy college‑based comparability assessments that were previously required under the RACGP’s PEP Specialist Stream. This pathway offers a faster, and much more affordable option for GPs to gain Specialist Registration in Australia, while still earning the same as GPs on the RACGP PEP pathway. 

Who is eligible for the Expedited Specialist Pathway?

UK GPs must hold:

  • MRCGP (Membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners)
  • CCT (Certificate of Completion of Training, under any RCGP curriculum from 2007 onwards

Irish GPs must hold:

  • Membership of the Irish College of General Practitioners (MICGP), together with a Certificate of Satisfactory Completion of Specialist Training (CSCST) from 2009 onwards.

NZ GPs must hold:

  • Fellowship of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (FRNZCGP) from 2012 onwards
  • Satisfactory completion of the General Practice Education Programme (GPEP)

What are the Key Benefits for GPs moving to Australia

  • Direct application to AHPRA/Medical Board. No specialist college comparability required meaning you no longer need to complete multiple applications to different agencies.  Letters of support from previous employers, and complex recency of practice details are no longer required.  The application can be more easily and quickly prepared.
  • Faster pathway to starting your career in Australia. This new pathway has reduced timeframes by around 3 months (and hopefully will continue to speed up). With expert guidance through the process you should be able to relocate within 6-7 months of submitting your paperwork.

  • Lower costs. The PEP specialist stream application currently costs $AUD 11,900  whereas the application to AHPRA’s fast track pathway is $AUD 2,575.  Please note, with PEP you will receive a formal qualification – FRACGP, but currently this is not possible with the AHPRA Expedited Specialist Pathway. Although this will not impact your earning capacity and we believe there will be an avenue to the qualification soon.

  • Focused support and supervision meaning all GPs must complete six months of supervised practice in Australia. A GP at your new practice will be allocated to be your supervisor to ensure you are practicing safely and will be available to discuss any problems or issues you may face. You will also be required to complete some cultural awareness and safety training as part of your initial six months of practice.

Key Information About the AHPRA Expedited Specialist Pathway

  • Applications are now completed online. Processing times vary but are generally around 3 months.  GPs need to allow additional time for the AMC, EPIC, Visa and Medicare applications to be processed.

  • Supervision paperwork is more detailed, and the supervisor plays a greater role than with PEP, and supervision must be arranged before applying.

  • Recency of practice requirements are flexible: either 4 weeks FTE in the past 12 months OR 12 months FTE in the past 3 years.

  • Application cost: $2,575 (slightly less in NSW).

  • Doctors must complete mandatory orientation and cultural safety training, plus 50 CPD hours per year to maintain registration.

  • Medicare rebates are linked to specialist registration, not college membership so you will have full access to MBS A1 items (you can earn the same as a GP on PEP pathway or a GP with FRACGP).

  • Other specialties such as psychiatry, anaesthetics, and O&G are also eligible for this pathway. Please contact us in relation to these pathways specifically.

How We Can Help You with Registration

At Alecto, we know that the registration process can feel overwhelming when you’re moving countries. That’s why we have a dedicated registration team who will guide you step-by-step through the AHPRA Expedited Specialist Pathway.

  • No cost to you if you’ve found your GP job through Alecto, we handle the paperwork and process so you can focus on planning your move.

  • Found a job elsewhere? We can still support you with registration as a stand-alone service. You’ll find all the details on our Registration Assistance page.

Our team has years of experience helping NZ, UK and Irish GPs through this process and understands the common pitfalls. With our support, you’ll have the confidence that everything is handled correctly the first time.

Do I need to sit any exams?

No, under the expedited specialist pathway you will not be required to complete any exams.

You will need to complete six months supervised practice including an orientation to the Australian health system and cultural safety education. Complete the required work-placed based assessments and any additional assessments or requirements specified by AHPRA

Will I need supervision in Australia?

Yes, for your initial 6 months of full time equivalent work you will be required to have an appointed GP in the practice as your supervisor. They will be on hand to assist with any questions and check in for case discussions when needed but your supervision level is minimal and means you take full responsibility for your patients.

Do I need a provider number or prescriber number?

Yes. Once your AHPRA registration is approved, you’ll need to apply for a Medicare provider number and prescriber number to start billing in Australia. We’ll help you with these steps.

Will I be restricted to rural areas under the 10-year moratorium?

With specialist registration, you’ll still need to comply with 19AB restrictions for 10 years, with DPA locations being a type of 19AB restriction during your 10 year moratorium, and there are a variety of urban and regional options available. We can guide you to locations that suit your family and lifestyle.

How much does this pathway cost?

The AHPRA application costs $2,575 (slightly less if applying for NSW locations). As part of your overall pathway you will also have costs associated with your EPIC/AMC applications (approx. $1,079) and Visa process (approx. $3,210 for primary applicant)

Is the fast-track specialist pathway the same as the AHPRA Expedited Specialist Pathway?

Yes, AHPRA’s Expedited Specialist Pathway was originally referred to as the new fast track pathway so you may here this terminology but it is the same pathway. There are other pathways called Specialist pathway – specialist recognition and Specialist Pathway – Area of Need, these pathways are different ones so make sure you are looking at the Expedited Specialist Pathway.

Do I need a job before applying for registration on the pathway?

Technically no, you can start your application prior to having a job however part of the application is detailing the supervision details and location – which you need a practice to complete. So your application can’t progress without having secured a job. Incomplete applications often take longer to process.

To ensure your application gets through the process fast, we recommend finding a job first so that you can submit a complete application and limit any potential problems.

How much will I earn working as a GP in Australia?

GP salaries vary depending on the city you live in, metro, regional or rural, whether your work in a bulk or mixed billing practice and other factors. We have a full salary guide and information gained from our Annual GP Salary survey here.

Want to talk about your job options in Australia?

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