SPECIALIST PATHWAYS FOR TRAINING DERMATOLOGISTS
Specialist Recognition
The Specialist Recognition Assessment Pathway is for International Medical Graduates (IMGs) who are recognised dermatologists in their country of training and have passed all of their training and examination requirements.
IMGs are required to apply under the Specialist Recognition Assessment Pathway if they wish to obtain specialist medical registration and practise independently as a specialist dermatologist in Australia.
PLEASE DO NOT APPLY FOR SPECIALIST RECOGNITION ASSESSMENT IF YOU ARE NOT A DERMATOLOGIST IN YOUR COUNTRY OF TRAINING.
Prior to an IMG’s application to ACD, applicants must apply to the AMC for verification of their qualifications and issuing of an ECFMG International Credentials Services (EPIC) number. Refer to the AMC website for verification of qualification time frames.
Once the AMC has issued the IMG applicant with an AMC number and EPIC number, the applicant should complete the pre-application questionnaire available on the College website. College will assess this questionnaire within 5 working days to determine eligibility to apply for Specialist Recognition.
If the IMG is eligible for Specialist Recognition they will be invited to submit an application and may be required to attend an interview. College will provide the necessary information and fees will apply.
Incomplete applications will be returned after a period of 6 months and any fees paid will be non-refundable.
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Applicants must first complete the IMG Questionnaire. You should not complete this questionnaire if you have not applied to the Australian Medical Council (AMC) for primary source verification of your qualifications.
After submitting your questionnaire a college staff member will contact you within 5 working days with further details on how to access the application.
As of 1 January 2024 the assessment fees for Specialist Recognition are:
- Pre-Assessment Fee: AUD $500
- Interim Assessment Fee: AUD $5,000
- Interview Fee: AUD $2,750
A full list of fees including annual training program and examination fees can be downloaded:
The Specialist Recognition assessment interviews are conducted up to 4 times per year. Eligible/Selected applicants will be advised of the interview date and time.
Interview Panel and Structure
The interview is conducted by the IMG Assessment Committee, comprising Fellows of the college and a community representative.
IMG Assessors take into consideration the knowledge, skills and experience of the applicant, as well as the upskilling and level of supervision and supports that will be required.
Interview guidelines: 
Advice to Applicants SR – Post Jan 2021.pdf
Interview Confirmation
If you have been invited for an interview please click the link below:
All applications received on or after 1 January 2021 and receive an outcome of substantially comparable will require applicants to undertake a minimum of 3 months supervised practise before being recommended for specialist recognition.
Upon completion of the College’s assessment of the IMG the following outcomes are possible:
- Not comparable: The process is complete, and the applicant is ineligible for specialist recognition.
- Partially comparable:
- undergo further training of 6, 12 or 24 months supervised clinical training
- be required to sit part or all of the Fellowship examinations if required to do 24 months upskilling
- undertake further training within an approved College accredited training position
- be required to apply for a training position, if any become available
- may have to wait 1-3 years before being offered a training position
- upon successful completion of the training the IMG is recommended for specialist recognition to the Medical Board of Australia and Fellowship of the College.
- Substantially comparable:
- Undertake a minimum of 3 months supervised practise
- Upon successful completion of the supervised practise the IMG is recommended for specialist recognition to the Medical Board of Australia and Fellowship of the College.
All substantially comparable applicants recommended for specialist recognition will be recommended for full scope of practice. Please note, the college does not offer assessments for limited scope of practice.
The table below provides information on the assessment outcomes of applications received in the last five years:
| Year | Number of Applications | Not comparable | Partially comparable: 24 Months exams | Partially comparable: 12 Months | Partially comparable: 6 months | Substantially comparable |
| 2016 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 2017 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2018 | 10 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 2020 | 16 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 7 |
| 2021 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 2022 | 24 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| 2023 | 19 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 1 |
Due to the high volume of applications we receive every year, your application will be reviewed in the order that we receive your completed application.
If from the written application, it is evident that you are not comparable to an Australian trained dermatologist then you will not be invited for an interview
OR
If your written application is deemed adequate, then you will be invited to the next available interview slot.
We aim to process your application and invite you to the next available interview slot within 6 -12 months of your completed application being received.
All International Medical Graduates (IMGs) who are assessed as being Partially Comparable by the College’s IMG Assessment Committee will be required to undertake a period of 6, 12 or 24 months (full-time equivalent) clinical training and may be required to sit the Fellowship examinations.
The purpose of the clinical training is:
- to familiarise the IMG with dermatology practice in Australia
- facilitate assessment of practice performance
- address any deficiencies
- to confirm that the IMG has the skills and attributes to an Australian dermatologist
- to confirm the recommendations of the assessment
It is the responsibility of the IMG to obtain a training position for the designated supervised clinical training period. IMGs are encouraged to contact hospitals and training sites for any training opportunities. Occasionally, the College may be able to advise on the availability of suitable training positions.
All training positions must be accredited by the National Accreditation Committee, and final approval is given by the IMG Assessment Committee. The timelines for accreditation and approval are approximately three (3) months. The positions must align with the training assessment requirements as determined by the IMG Assessment Committee, and this information will be detailed in the assessment outcome letter. Once the position has been offered to the IMG and the College has approved the position, the supervised clinical training period will formally commence and the IMG has four years to complete the requirements for Fellowship.
The table below provides information on the average waiting period in the last 4 years to obtain a required training position.
| Partially Comparable – Required Training Period | Average waiting period to secure an accredited position |
| 6 Months | 1 year |
| 12 Months | 1-2 years |
| 24 Months | 1-3+ years |
The table below highlights the number of fellows and trainees there are in Australia as of 31 December 2022 and where they are located:
| State | Fellows | Trainees |
| New South Wales* | 204 | 38 |
| Queensland | 112 | 27 |
| South Australia** | 48 | 10 |
| Victoria*** | 157 | 30 |
| Western Australia | 47 | 10 |
| 568 | 115 |
* Includes Australian Capital Territory
** Includes Northern Territory
*** Includes Tasmania
