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Overseas Trained Doctors

Victoria has long relied heavily on International Medial Graduates for its workforce. This has been especially the case in the west of the State. Many UK doctors came out, and there was quite a contingent of doctors who worked in various parts of the "Empire" before coming to rural Australia to earn money for their retirement. There were mission doctors, armed forces doctors, and doctors who had partial specialist training, or UK specialist fellowships, who preferred the generalist practice and country living.

The UK allowed free immigration of Commonwealth residents from the 1950s so that a huge proportion of hospital and community doctors were from Asia and Africa by the 1970s. These doctors were not required to take extra exams for General Practice in the UK until Vocational Registration was introduced.

In 1986 New South Wales attempted to bring down 'doctor costs' and allowed many IMGs to come in, thereby setting the pattern for what would be needed once the graduate shortage became established.

Roughly a third of Victorian rural GPs are now trained overseas and without them the rest of us would have to shut up shop. Despite worries that Developing Countries are being deprived of their intellectual capital, we acknowledge that individuals have the right to determine to move to where they can better themselves and their families.

Assistance to Pass Exams

We hugely appreciate those that decide to stay on in rural, which is why we freely give assistance to those wanting help to pass their exams. We work closely with the Rural Medical Family Network to assist families to settle in and stay rural.

To anyone experiencing difficulty, feel free to contact us or one of our members and we'll try to push things along for you. We know how difficult it is, but if you stay in there, things usually work themselves out in the end.

We are painfully aware that newer IMGs generally are too much overwhelmed by their commitments to work and examinations to think about RDAV membership. We could do with some active members from amongst you. We have input into many processes at State and National level which require representatives.

National Level

We have been actively lobbying at the National level for over 10 years to make it easier for entry into Australia and have had a few wins. We want better conditions for you when you come, less onerous examination requirements, and private medical insurance provided for the family until you are permanent residents.

The FACRRM examination, recently recognised as an alternative to the FRACGP, allows "recognition of prior learning". This means that the previous training and experience that many of you have may count towards the FACRRM. It had been our aim to achieve this for over 10 years. So you should seriously consider applying for the FACRRM. Contact ACRRM on 1800 223 226.