What Is AHPRA?

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) is the national body responsible for regulating health practitioners across Australia. It works in partnership with 15 National Boards — including the Medical Board of Australia — to protect the public by ensuring only qualified, competent, and fit practitioners are permitted to work in Australian health care.

Established in 2010 under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, AHPRA now oversees more than 800,000 registered health practitioners, including doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, and allied health professionals. For doctors specifically, AHPRA works alongside the Medical Board of Australia, which sets the standards, policies, and codes of conduct that all doctors must meet. The Medical Board makes the registration decisions; AHPRA administers the process and maintains the national register.

A critical point for any overseas doctor to understand: no doctor can legally practise medicine anywhere in Australia without current AHPRA registration. This is not merely an administrative formality — practising without registration is a criminal offence under Australian law, carrying penalties including fines and imprisonment. It makes no difference how experienced you are, who your employer is, or what arrangements have been made — unregistered practice is illegal and puts patients at serious risk.

AHPRA maintains a publicly searchable national register, available at any time to employers, hospitals, Medicare Australia, private health insurers, and members of the public. Your registration type, status, registration number, any conditions or notations on your registration, and your principal place of practice are all publicly visible. This transparency is a deliberate feature of the Australian regulatory system — it protects patients and creates accountability. As a registered practitioner, keeping your registration details current is your ongoing legal obligation.

Types of Medical Registration

There are several distinct types of medical registration in Australia. The type of registration you hold determines where you can work, what supervision conditions apply, and whether you can bill independently through Medicare. Understanding these distinctions before you apply is important because they have direct practical consequences for your career.

General Registration

General registration is the full, unrestricted form of medical registration. Doctors with general registration have met all requirements set by the Medical Board of Australia and can work anywhere in Australia, in any clinical setting, without supervision conditions attached to their registration. General registration is the prerequisite for obtaining a Medicare provider number, which enables billing independently through the Medicare Benefits Schedule. This is the goal for most overseas doctors completing the Standard Pathway, and it is typically the initial registration type granted to doctors who arrive via the Competent Authority Pathway having met all requirements upfront.

It is important to note that general registration does not, by itself, authorise you to perform every medical procedure in every specialty. Scope of practice, hospital credentialling, and specialist recognition are separate matters governed by your employer, relevant colleges, and hospital policies. General registration is the regulatory foundation — not a comprehensive licence to practise in any specialty area.

Specialist Registration

Specialist registration is granted to doctors who are formally recognised as a specialist in a defined medical specialty by an Australian specialist college. Examples include Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP), Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS), Fellowship of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (FRANZCOG), or Fellowship of the Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (FRANZCR). Specialist registration appears on the national register alongside the specific specialty and any sub-specialty. It enables higher Medicare rebates for specialist consultations and underpins independent specialist practice. Overseas-trained specialists seeking this category of registration in Australia apply through the Specialist Pathway, with assessment conducted by the relevant college rather than the AMC.

Provisional Registration

Provisional registration is granted to doctors who have met the majority of the Medical Board's requirements but are still completing a mandatory period of supervised practice before they can transition to general registration. It is most commonly held by doctors following the Standard Pathway who have passed both AMC examinations and have secured a supervised practice position in an Australian hospital or health service. Provisional registration always carries conditions — typically specifying that the doctor must practise only under the supervision of a named, approved supervisor and within a defined scope of practice. The supervisory arrangement must be approved by the Medical Board.

Provisional registration is not a lesser or temporary status — it is a legitimate, legally recognised form of registration that permits clinical work in Australia. Many Australian hospitals actively recruit international medical graduates specifically for provisionally registered positions. Transitioning from provisional to general registration is typically a straightforward process once the required supervised practice period is satisfactorily completed.

Limited Registration

Limited registration is granted for specific, defined purposes and is always tied to a particular employer, location, and scope of practice. The main categories relevant to overseas doctors are:

  • Limited registration for area of need — allows overseas doctors to work in a supervised capacity in a position approved as an area of need, typically in rural, remote, or otherwise under-served communities. This can enable doctors to begin working in Australia before completing all standard requirements, provided a suitable position is confirmed.
  • Limited registration for postgraduate training — for doctors undertaking a specific approved postgraduate training program in Australia (such as college-accredited specialist training rotations).
  • Limited registration for teaching or research — for doctors visiting Australia for academic rather than clinical purposes.

Limited registration always specifies the approved employer, location, and permitted scope of clinical activity. It cannot be used to work for a different employer or in a different location without a new application to AHPRA.

Non-Practising Registration

Non-practising registration is for doctors who wish to maintain their registration but are not currently engaged in clinical practice — for example, those on extended parental leave, those working exclusively in research or academic roles, or those temporarily pausing clinical work for personal reasons. Doctors holding non-practising registration cannot provide clinical services. The annual renewal fee is lower than for practising categories. Transitioning back to a practising registration type before returning to clinical work requires notifying AHPRA and meeting any returning practitioner requirements that may apply.

Documents Required for an AHPRA Application

AHPRA applications are completed online. Gathering every required document before beginning your application prevents it from stalling part-way through. Incomplete applications are held pending further information — each delay costs you weeks. The following documents are required for most international medical graduate applications:

  • Completed AHPRA online application form — create an account at ahpra.gov.au, select "Medical Practitioner", and complete all sections. Choose the registration type that matches your pathway and circumstances.
  • AMC certificate or pathway assessment letter — for Standard Pathway applicants, the AMC certificate following passing both examinations. For Competent Authority applicants, the AMC's assessment letter confirming eligibility. For Specialist Pathway applicants, the relevant college's written assessment outcome.
  • EPIC verification completion confirmation — confirmation from ECFMG or the AMC that primary source verification of your credentials through the EPIC system is complete. AHPRA will not proceed with your application until this is in place.
  • English language test results — official results from an approved test (IELTS Academic, OET, PTE Academic, or TOEFL iBT) demonstrating that all minimum scores were met in a single sitting, and that the results are still within their two-year validity period at the time your application is lodged. Do not submit your application if your test results will expire before AHPRA is likely to finalise assessment.
  • Certified copy of your primary medical degree — your MBBS, MD, or equivalent qualification certificate. AHPRA specifies acceptable certifiers — typically a Justice of the Peace, notary public, solicitor, or similarly authorised person. Check AHPRA's current certifier requirements as these are updated periodically.
  • Certified copies of postgraduate qualifications — all relevant postgraduate medical degrees, fellowships, or diplomas.
  • Certificates of good standing — from every medical regulatory authority with which you have been registered, in every country. The certificate must confirm your registration was in good standing with no disciplinary findings. Certificates must generally be recent, typically dated within three months of your application lodgement date. Allow adequate time to obtain these from overseas authorities.
  • Identity documents — a certified copy of your current passport (bio-data page). If your name has changed from that shown on any of your qualifications, provide certified documentary evidence of the name change (marriage certificate, deed poll, or statutory declaration).
  • Recent passport photographs — as specified in AHPRA's application instructions.
  • Police clearances — from every country in which you have lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Australian National Police Check (obtainable through accredited agencies) plus international clearances from each relevant country. Requirements vary significantly between countries — some provide official certificates quickly; others require substantial lead time. Apply for all clearances as early as possible, as some countries take 8 to 12 weeks or more.
  • Evidence of recency of practice — employment references from current and recent employers (including job title, employment dates, and description of clinical duties), payslips, or job descriptions confirming you have been engaged in clinical medical practice recently. AHPRA expects recent evidence of clinical work, generally within the past 12 months.
  • Professional indemnity insurance evidence — confirmation that you hold or have arranged professional indemnity insurance, or that your employer's institutional policy covers you from your first day of practice.
  • AHPRA application fee — approximately $780 to $900 AUD, paid online at the time of application lodgement. The fee varies slightly by registration type and is reviewed annually. It is non-refundable regardless of outcome. Retain your payment receipt.

Step-by-Step Application Process

  1. Gather all required documents — compile every item listed above before starting the online form. Certify documents that require certification. Obtain and chase up police clearances and certificates of good standing early, as these typically take the longest. Do not submit an incomplete application.
  2. Create your AHPRA online account — visit ahpra.gov.au and register as a new practitioner. Select "Medical Practitioner" as your profession and your intended registration type. Save your login credentials securely — you will return to this account repeatedly throughout the process.
  3. Complete the online application form — answer every question fully and accurately. The form covers your qualifications, registration history in all countries, criminal history, health disclosures, employment history, and contact details. Providing false or misleading information is grounds for refusal and potential prosecution under the National Law.
  4. Upload all supporting documents — scan each document clearly and in full (no cut-off edges, no blurring). AHPRA specifies accepted file formats and size limits. Label files logically so the assessor can match them to the relevant question in your form. Poor quality scans are a frequent cause of follow-up requests.
  5. Pay the application fee — complete payment of the non-refundable application fee online. Your application does not enter the assessment queue until payment is received and confirmed. Keep your payment confirmation.
  6. Await assessment — AHPRA allocates your application to an assessor who reviews your documents and may consult with the Medical Board. Typical processing time for complete applications is 4 to 12 weeks. Do not call AHPRA to chase progress unless you have specific reason to believe there is a problem — routine status enquiries do not speed up processing.
  7. Respond promptly to any requests for further information — if AHPRA needs additional documents, clarification, or a statutory declaration regarding any aspect of your application, they will contact you by email. Set up email notifications so you do not miss these messages. Respond as quickly and completely as possible — every day of delay adds to your total waiting time.
  8. Receive the registration decision — AHPRA notifies you of the outcome by email. If approved, your registration appears on the national register from the effective date. If refused or referred to the Medical Board for further consideration, you will receive a detailed explanation of the reasons and information about your right to seek a review of the decision.

Processing Times and What to Expect

AHPRA's target processing time for complete applications is generally 4 to 12 weeks. However, actual times vary considerably based on several factors:

  • Completeness of the application — the most important variable within your control. Complete applications with all documents correctly certified and all questions fully answered move through assessment without interruption. Incomplete applications are put on hold and can sit for weeks before the issue is identified and communicated to you.
  • Complexity of your registration history — applicants who have held registration in multiple countries, have any disciplinary history, have had health conditions that required disclosure, or have complex name changes will have longer processing times. AHPRA must carefully assess each element before making a decision.
  • Pathway — Competent Authority pathway applications that are complete tend to process faster, often 4 to 6 weeks, because the preliminary AMC assessment reduces AHPRA's verification workload. Standard Pathway applications with complex international histories, or those requiring Medical Board consultation, can take 10 to 14 weeks or more.
  • Volume and seasonal factors — AHPRA processes significantly higher volumes of applications at certain times of year, particularly in the October to December period when new junior doctor cohorts register. Applications lodged at peak times may take longer than at quieter periods.

Track your application status through your AHPRA online account. AHPRA does not provide proactive updates unless an action is required from you or a decision has been made. If your circumstances change significantly while your application is being assessed (for example, a new criminal charge or a change in health status), you must notify AHPRA immediately — failure to do so is an obligation breach.

If you have accepted an employment offer contingent on AHPRA registration, keep your future employer informed of your application status. Most Australian employers who recruit internationally are experienced with the AHPRA process and will accommodate reasonable start date adjustments.

After Registration — Immediate Next Steps

Receiving AHPRA registration is a major milestone, but several important practical steps follow immediately:

  • Verify your entry on the national register — search for your name on the AHPRA public register (ahpra.gov.au) to confirm your registration type, status, and details are displayed correctly with no unexpected conditions or errors.
  • Apply for a Medicare provider number — if you hold general registration and are eligible (based on your visa status, employment type, and practice location), apply through Services Australia's Health Professional Online Services (HPOS) portal. Your provider number enables you to bill Medicare for patient services. Without it, you cannot claim Medicare rebates for your patients — a critical issue for most clinical positions.
  • Notify your employer — provide your employer with your AHPRA registration number, registration type, and any conditions. Hospital and health service HR and credentialling departments require this information before you can begin seeing patients. Some employers require a printed or certified copy of your registration certificate — download this from your AHPRA account.
  • Confirm professional indemnity insurance — if relying on your employer's institutional policy, obtain written confirmation that you are covered from your first day of practice. If arranging individual cover, ensure it is in place before you see any patient.
  • Understand and enrol in a CPD program — all practising registered doctors must complete AHPRA-approved Continuing Professional Development. Enrol in an approved CPD home promptly — this is a registration condition, and non-compliance at renewal time can result in conditions on your registration.
  • Record your registration renewal date — registration expires on 30 September annually. Note this date and set calendar reminders well in advance. Renewal notices are sent approximately six weeks before expiry, but it is your responsibility to renew on time regardless of whether you receive a notice.

Maintaining Your Registration

Registration is an ongoing responsibility, not a one-time achievement. Failing to meet maintenance obligations can result in conditions on your registration, suspension, or cancellation — all of which have serious consequences for your ability to work and your career.

Annual Renewal

Medical registration in Australia must be renewed each year. The renewal period runs from 1 October to 30 November, and registration expires on 30 September. Renewal is completed online through your AHPRA account and requires payment of the annual registration renewal fee (approximately $780 to $900 AUD, varying by registration type). At renewal, you must confirm that all your registration details are current, declare any changes to your circumstances since your last renewal, and confirm compliance with CPD requirements. Allowing your registration to lapse means you cannot practise and requires a new application (with fees and full processing time) to be reinstated.

Continuing Professional Development

All practising registered doctors must complete a minimum of 50 CPD hours annually, with at least 12.5 hours in each of three defined activity categories: educational activities, performance review, and outcome measurement. CPD requirements apply from the date your registration commences. You must be enrolled in an AHPRA-approved CPD home — this is typically your specialist medical college. If you are not a college fellow, AHPRA publishes a list of approved CPD homes for doctors who are not yet affiliated with a college. Non-compliance with CPD requirements at renewal is a registration condition breach and is taken seriously by the Medical Board.

Notifiable Events — Your Legal Reporting Obligations

Under the National Law, you have mandatory self-reporting obligations as a registered doctor. You must notify AHPRA if you are charged with or convicted of a criminal offence, if a health condition arises that may affect your ability to practise safely, if your registration in any other country is restricted, cancelled, or made subject to conditions, if any complaint or investigation is raised against you by any regulatory authority or tribunal in any jurisdiction, or if you change your principal place of practice.

Beyond self-reporting, you have mandatory obligations to report colleagues who you reasonably believe are practising while impaired by physical or mental illness, or whose conduct places the public at serious risk. These reporting obligations are enshrined in the National Law and are not optional — failure to comply is an offence.

Plan your complete registration journey. Read the Registration Timeline for a realistic month-by-month breakdown, and the Registration Costs guide for a full fee breakdown by pathway. For AMC exam preparation, see the AMC MCQ Exam guide and the AMC Clinical Exam guide.