Australia has expanded its Expedited Specialist Registration pathway, creating faster and clearer routes to medical registration for internationally trained doctors. As of January 2026, general medicine and general paediatrics have been added as priority specialties, offering new opportunities for eligible specialists from the UK and Ireland.
This update is particularly significant for general medical physicians and paediatricians seeking to work in Australia as a specialist, with reduced assessment timeframes and a more streamlined registration process.
At Head Medical, we are already supporting doctors exploring eligibility under this new pathway.
What Is the Expedited Specialist Registration Pathway?
The Expedited Specialist pathway allows eligible specialist international medical graduates (SIMGs) to apply directly for specialist registration with Ahpra and the Medical Board of Australia, without undertaking prolonged comparability or supervised practice pathways.
All qualifications accepted under this pathway have been formally assessed by the Australian Medical Council (AMC) and approved as substantially comparable to Australian specialist standards.
This pathway is designed to reduce delays in specialist registration, address workforce shortages in priority specialties, and support internationally trained doctors from comparable health systems.
New Priority Specialties Added in 2026
From 19 January 2026, the following specialties have been added to the Expedited Specialist Registration pathway:
These additions reflect Australia’s increasing demand for experienced hospital specialists across metropolitan, regional, and remote healthcare services.
Expedited Specialist Registration for General Paediatrics
Doctors specialising in general paediatrics may now be eligible for expedited registration if they hold recognised postgraduate qualifications from the United Kingdom or Ireland.
Accepted General Paediatrics Qualifications
Membership of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (MRCPI – Paediatrics), plus a Certificate of Satisfactory Completion of Specialist Training (CSCST) in Paediatrics, awarded from July 2010 onwards.
Membership of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (MRCPCH), plus a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in Paediatrics, awarded from August 2007 onwards.
Additional Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate recent and relevant clinical experience in general paediatrics. Completion of an Australian child protection course and Advanced Paediatric Life Support (APLS), or an approved equivalent, is also required.
Expedited Specialist Registration for General Medicine
The pathway has also expanded to include general medicine physicians trained in the United Kingdom.
Accepted General Medicine Qualifications
Eligible applicants must hold Membership of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP UK) together with a CCT in General Internal Medicine or an approved dual-training CCT pathway.
This includes:
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General Internal Medicine (stand-alone training) from August 2007 onwards
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Dual General Internal Medicine and Acute Internal Medicine from August 2009 onwards
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Approved dual CCT pathways, including General Internal Medicine, from August 2019 onwards
Applicants must also show current, relevant clinical practice in general medicine.
Why This Matters for International Medical Specialists
The inclusion of general medicine and general paediatrics builds on earlier pathway expansions, which added general practice, anaesthetics, obstetrics and gynaecology, and psychiatry during 2024 and early 2025.
For eligible doctors, the Expedited Specialist pathway offers faster access to Australian specialist registration, greater certainty around eligibility, reduced administrative burden, and clearer timelines for relocation and employment.
How Head Medical Supports Your Move to Australia
Navigating Australian medical registration, visas, and relocation can still be complex, even with an expedited pathway. Head Medical provides end-to-end support for international doctors, including specialist eligibility and pathway assessments, guidance through Ahpra and Medical Board registration, support with visas and immigration in collaboration with trusted partners, job opportunities across public and private healthcare providers, and relocation and settlement assistance.
If you are a UK- or Ireland-trained general physician or general paediatrician considering Australia, now is the ideal time to explore your options.
Speak to Head Medical today to assess your eligibility for the Expedited Specialist Registration pathway and take the next step towards working in Australia.
0131 226 2200 | info@headmedical.com