Substantial Comparability Placement

This training placement is for Specialist International Medical Graduates who have been assessed by the RANZCP as substantially comparable.

The placement involves:

• supervised work placement for 12 months full-time equivalent (FTE)
• satisfactory completion of regular Workplace-Based Assessments during the placement period.

This placement is a pathway to Fellowship of the RANZCP.

Your outcome letter

If your experience or training is found to be incomplete as compared with RANZCP training, these additional requirements, usually referred to as ‘gaps in training’ will be listed in your specialist assessment outcome letter. All identified gaps in training must be completed and approved before you can start the Substantial Comparability Placement.

Starting your placement

There are three placement start dates each year. You may choose to start your job earlier while waiting for your placement to begin.

To begin your substantial comparability placement candidates must: 

• hold current medical registration in Australia or Aotearoa New Zealand or be registered at the time of starting the placement
• be employed forat least 0.6 FTE in a suitable position and work at least 0.3 FTE in a clinical role
• provide confirmation of employment as a consultant/specialist psychiatrist within Australia or Aotearoa New Zealand for the required placement period
• provide a position description for the above job
• have a signed Statement of Employer Support [PDF; 40KB] for the full placement period and for all required workplace-based assessments, including support for external assessor access to relevant clinical files
• nominate a supervisor who holds current accreditation as a RANZCP Substantial Comparability Supervisor.

You have 1 year from the date of your outcome letter to enter the country, obtain medical registration and start your job and the placement. 

You will only move to a cohort waiting list when a signed and accepted job contract and AHPRA or New Zealand Medical Council registration certificate has been provided to the RANZCP. This ensures that the RANZCP doesn’t hold places for candidates who have not yet moved to Australia or Aotearoa New Zealand and / or have not yet gained the required immigration and registration status to work.

Applicants who are offered and accept the conditions of the Substantial Comparability Placement will be required to pay a placement fee. Failure to pay the placement fee may cause delay or deferral of the placement.

Orientation period

If you are new to the country, you must start your job at least 3 months before the placement starts in order to complete the required orientation period. 

This orientation period ensures that you are familiar with your health service, the health system, the Mental Health Act, and to build a sufficient case load. This time is not inclusive of the 12-month placement period.

You and your supervisor must fill out the form below following your orientation, to indicate you are ready to begin your placement:

• Readiness for Substantial Comparability Placement form [PDF; 92 KB]

College membership

As a SIMG on a Specialist Pathway to RANZCP Fellowship, you are automatically an Associate Member of the College. Learn more about Associate membership for SIMGs.

Comparability status

Once you begin your placement, you are granted 1 year of comparability status to complete the training and assessment requirements for this placement. 

Any extensions beyond 12 months FTE are considered on a case-by-case basis by the Committee for Specialist International Medical Graduate Education (CSIMGE). The maximum time on this pathway is 2 years.

Placement requirements

Your workplace-based assessment requirements are summarised in the below handbook.

Substantial Comparability WBA handbook [PDF; 200 KB]

You will be issued with an assessment schedule (including assessment due dates) prior to commencing the placement as outlined below.

Contact

simgehelp@ranzcp.org.