Expedited Specialist Pathway
The fastest route to specialist GP registration in Australia for holders of recognised international fellowships.
The Expedited Specialist Pathway (also known as the Competent Authority pathway) was introduced by the Medical Board of Australia in October 2024 and expanded to two new specialties in January 2026. It streamlines registration for GPs who already hold a recognised specialist qualification from a comparable healthcare system. This pathway requires 6 months of supervised practice, cultural safety education, orientation, and work-based assessments — but avoids the full RACGP/ACRRM assessment process, saving approximately 4-5 months and ~$10,000 AUD compared to other pathways.
This pathway recognises that GPs from the United Kingdom, Ireland, and New Zealand have completed rigorous training programs that are substantially equivalent to the Australian FRACGP. The qualifying qualifications are:
MRCGP with CCT
United Kingdom (from 2007 curriculum)
MICGP with CSCST
Ireland
FRNZCGP
New Zealand (from 2012 onwards)
Step-by-Step Process
Estimated Costs
AMC Portfolio
Portfolio establishment (one qualification)
PSV / EPIC Verification
Primary Source Verification through ECFMG
AHPRA Annual Registration
Annual fee (2025/26, 3% increase from $1,027)
FRACGP Fellowship (optional)
Assessment fee + RACGP annual membership
Estimated Total (Year 1)
Excluding optional FRACGP fellowship
Including optional FRACGP ($990 + GST) and RACGP membership ($1,567/yr)
~$6,000-7,000+ AUDAll fees are approximate and subject to change. Check the latest fee schedules on the AMC, AHPRA, and RACGP websites before budgeting. Currency conversions may also affect the total cost depending on your home currency.