More international medical practitioners are being registered to work in Australia in faster clearance times, according to data released by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra).
Action to streamline Ahpra’s registration processes has seen a surge in new international medical practitioners registered to enter the Australian workforce, with 1,205 more overseas qualified doctors registered in the 2023-24 financial year than in the previous 12 months.
The influx equates to a 27% annual increase in the number of international applicants approved to work in Australia, with a 26% decrease in the time taken to assess their applications.
That will be of particular interest to Australia’s ophthalmology community.
Fast-track entry of overseas ophthalmologists is expected to begin some time next year, as part of moves to increase the healthcare workforce in this country.
The Australian Society of Ophthalmologists (ASO) has been critical of some aspects of the scheme, including plans to bypass RANZCO and other medical colleges in the accreditation process for overseas professionals.
Earlier this year, ASO president Dr Peter Sumich said that would “disempower our colleges”.
Changes implemented on 18 December last year mean that overseas-based applicants are no longer required to undergo an in-person identity check before coming to Australia. Having provided sufficient documents to verify identity while offshore, overseas applicants must provide further evidence of identity operating in Australia once registered and living in Australia. This further evidence is required at the time of first renewal of registration.
This has had a significant impact in improving the number of international doctors registered, as well as the time taken to assess their applications.
Ahpra CEO Mr Martin Fletcher said the figures were proof that improvements to the registration process were better serving practitioners, health systems and, most importantly, Australian patients.
“We want to do everything possible to make Australia an attractive work destination for international medical graduates by simplifying the process while not compromising on safety,” Fletcher said.
“We are in a time of unprecedented demand for health services and practitioners. State and territory health systems are aiming to recruit thousands of international health workers to ease the strain on our health systems, and Ahpra is working closely with our health partners to ensure they are safe, qualified and ready.”
To be registered to work in Australia, internationally trained medical practitioners must provide proof of their training and qualifications, international criminal history checks, English language skills, Australian employer documentation, application forms and identity checks, among other safeguards.
In the 2023-24 financial year, 5,717 international medical graduate applications were finalised, an increase of 1,205 on the previous financial year. The average time taken to assess those applications decreased significantly from 110 days in 2022-23, to 87 days.
Ahpra has worked hard to improve the registration system, while maintaining all the necessary quality and safety checks, in line with recommendations from the Kruk Review into health practitioner regulatory settings that was released in December last year.
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