The Expedited Specialist Pathway for general practitioners is on the horizon!

and Martina Stanley, one of Alecto Australia’s directors, has shared some key insights following her recent advisory meeting with AHPRA (expediated specialist pathway) 

The pathway is expected to launch on 21 October, pending ministerial approval, and brings the potential for a quicker, more affordable registration process. However, it’s important to stay informed and rely on official AHPRA updates as the definitive guide. Read on for details about eligibility, registration conditions, and recommendations for those navigating this new opportunity.

Detailed information is being provided through regular updates on the AHPRA website.  Please note that the AHPRA website is the only official source of information and should be used as the basis for all decision making.

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On an informal basis, Martina has provided some observations:

  • The pathway is on track for a 21 October start date for GPs as the first ‘cab off the rank’ – subject to Ministerial Approval
  • The list of qualifications that will be considered as eligible for the Expedited Pathway has not been released, but each of the Specialist Colleges aware of the relevant qualifications proposed for their Specialty.
  • Only qualifications that previously were recognised as being ‘substantially comparable’ to an Australian qualification will be eligible.  This will not be available for qualifications that were previously assessed as ‘ non comparable’ or ‘partially comparable’.
  • AHPRA will be making a self-assessment tool available on the website which will allow doctors to assess their eligibility for a registration pathway.
  • Successful applicants will be awarded Specialist Registration with conditions.  After six months of supervised an supported practice in Australia, applicants can apply to have the conditions on their registration removed, but they must meet the requirements stipulated by AHPRA which will be outlined in the guidelines.
  • It is assumed that Medicare will follow the usual guidelines for 19AB exemptions based on the GP’s registration as a Specialist.  Details have not been provided by Services Australia/Medicare.  All overseas trained doctors or IMGS will be subject to the 10 year moratorium which is a Medicare requirement.   Rumours to suggest that doctors on this pathway can circumvent the moratorium are highly likely to be incorrect.
  • GPs who have commenced a pathway to registration via another route (e.g PEP Specialist Pathway) will be allowed to make the decision to switch pathways.
  • There is still no information regarding the pricing for this pathway. At this stage we expect that it will be considerably cheaper than the PEP pathway.

Overall, the pathway appears to lead to a quicker and less expensive pathway to Specialist Registration and most of our concerns with the pathway seem to have been addresses – given current available information.  However this pathway will not allow GPs to be awarded FRACGP at the end of their initial six months of supervised practice in Australia.   This will be available via the PEP Specialist pathway.

Our Recommendation

At Alecto Australia, we recommend that GPs commence on the PEP Specialist Pathway if they are considering coming to Australia.  This provides them with the opportunity to seek Fellowship with the RACGP without excluding them from the new Expedited Pathway, should they choose to switch pathways. Given current information, it would seem the AHPRA pathway is more suited to those coming to Australia for just a few years, whereas the RACGP PEP Pathway is more suitable if you are planning to stay in Australia for the long term.