Eligibility criteria

To apply for specialist assessment at RANZCP you must meet the following criteria.

Highest psychiatry qualification in your home country 

Hold the highest psychiatry qualification obtainable as a specialist clinical psychiatrist in your country of origin at the time of qualification. 

You must have gained that qualification through an appropriately supervised specialist training program which: 

• was at least three (3) years in duration 
• included at least 12 months general adult training, of which six (6) months was acute in-patient. 

UK applicants: The MRCPsych qualification without a CCT/CCST will not be recognised as the highest specialist qualification. An MRCPsych with CESR will considered on a case-by-case basis. 

AMC Primary Source Verification 

You must have primary source verification of your primary and specialist psychiatry qualifications from the Australian Medical Council (AMC).  

All qualifications included in your application must be verified. 

For example, Sri Lankan applicants must get both the MD(Psych) and Board Certification verified. 

Evidence of English language proficiency 

Provide evidence of English language proficiency. For example, an overall score of 7 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Please refer to the AMC website for acceptable tests and score results. 

Registration in home country 

You must have attained registration as a specialist psychiatrist in your home country. 

Intend to live and work in Australia or Aotearoa New Zealand permanently 

It's expected that if you are applying for this pathway you intend to live and work in Australia or Aotearoa New Zealand permanently. If you are looking for a short-term placement with no pathway to Fellowship, see Specialist Specified Training.

Have a job offer in Australia or Aotearoa New Zealand 

You must have applied for and been offered an appropriate position in Australia or Aotearoa New Zealand to apply for this assessment.

Additional requirements to qualify for Substantial Comparability

 To be considered for substantial comparability you must also: 

• hold current medical registration in Australia or Aotearoa New Zealand or be registered at the time of starting the placement 
• provide confirmation of employment as a consultant/specialist psychiatrist within Australia or Aotearoa New Zealand for the required placement period, plus a position description  
• be employed for at least 0.6 FTE in a suitable position and work at least 0.3 FTE in a clinical role 
• have a statement of employer support for the full placement period and for all required WBAs, including support for external assessor access to relevant clinical files 
• have nominated a supervisor who holds current accreditation as a RANZCP Substantial Comparability Supervisor 
• have sufficient comparability status time to complete the placement requirements (for existing SIMG candidates) 
• have completed a 3-month job orientation period prior to starting the placement (for new applicants).

Additional requirements to qualify for Partial Comparability

 To be considered for partial comparability you must also: 

• provide confirmation of employment as a psychiatrist within Australia or Aotearoa New Zealand for the required placement period, plus a position description
• hold current medical registration in Australia or Aotearoa New Zealand or be registered at the time of starting the placement
• be employed for at least 0.5 full-time equivalent (FTE) in a suitable position
• have a statement of employer support for the full placement period and for all required Fellowship Program workplace-based assessments
• have nominated a supervisor who holds current accreditation as a RANZCP Supervisor at the time of starting the placement.