AMC Exam Complete Guide
for Pakistani Doctors 2026 —
Steps, Fee & Application

AMC stands for Australian Medical Council. It is the body responsible for assessing the medical qualifications of international medical graduates (IMGs) who want to practise medicine in Australia. Furthermore, the AMC assessment pathway is the primary route for Pakistani doctors seeking Australian Medical Board registration through AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency).

Australia is an increasingly attractive destination for Pakistani doctors for several reasons. First, the quality of life and remuneration in Australian medical practice is among the highest in the world. Second, Australia has an ongoing shortage of doctors — particularly in rural and regional areas — which creates genuine employment pathways for IMGs. Third, the AMC examination is considered achievable relative to USMLE, and the timeline to registration is shorter.

However, the AMC pathway involves a mandatory in-person clinical examination in Australia — which adds significant cost and complexity compared to pathways like HAAD/DOH where the exam can be taken internationally. Consequently, understanding the full process before committing is essential.

The AMC assessment has two separate components — both must be completed to obtain AMC certification. Furthermore, they must be taken in a specific order — CAT before Clinical. Additionally, each component has its own fee, preparation requirements, and timeline.

AMC has specific eligibility requirements for international medical graduates. Furthermore, the requirements differ between the standard AMC assessment pathway and the competent authority pathway — which provides a more direct route for graduates of certain recognised programmes.

Core Eligibility Criteria

First, you must hold a primary medical qualification — your MBBS — from an AMC-recognised institution or country. Furthermore, your qualification must be listed on the AMC’s recognised qualifications register. Second, English language proficiency is required — IELTS Academic with 7.0 overall and minimum 7.0 in each band, or OET Grade B. Third, AMC requires primary source verification of your credentials through a verification service before you can sit the examination.

Additionally, while AMC does not technically require a home country medical licence for initial CAT registration — unlike HAAD/DOH — having PMDC registration is strongly recommended. Moreover, AHPRA (the Australian registration body) typically requires evidence of home country medical registration when you eventually apply for full Australian medical registration. Consequently, completing NRE before AMC application remains the most practical sequence.

The AMC application is managed through the AMC online portal. Furthermore, the process involves credential verification, English language testing, and two separate examination registrations. Understanding the sequence prevents common errors that delay applications.

The AMC pathway is expensive — particularly because the clinical exam requires travel to Australia. Furthermore, the high AUD to PKR exchange rate makes costs substantial in Pakistani rupee terms. Understanding the full financial picture is essential before committing.

Understanding where AMC sits relative to other international options helps you make an informed decision about your career pathway. Furthermore, the right choice depends on your specific career goals, financial situation, and personal circumstances — not just the exam difficulty.

While AMC does not technically require a home country licence for CAT registration — unlike HAAD/DOH — completing NRE before AMC is still strongly recommended for three practical reasons.

First, AHPRA requires a Good Standing Certificate from your home country medical authority when you eventually apply for Australian registration after passing both AMC components. For Pakistani doctors, that means a PMDC Good Standing Certificate — which requires active PMDC registration — which requires passing NRE. Therefore, you will need NRE eventually regardless of when you start AMC.

Second, NRE Step-1 and Step-2 preparation directly reduces your AMC preparation burden. Furthermore, the clinical reasoning skills from NRE Step-1 transfer to AMC CAT preparation, and the OSCE skills from NRE Step-2 transfer directly to AMC Clinical. Consequently, doing NRE first is not just a licensing requirement — it is the most efficient preparation sequence.

Third, working as a registered Pakistani doctor while preparing for AMC provides income, clinical experience, and professional references that strengthen your AHPRA application. Moreover, the 18–24 month AMC preparation timeline is easier to sustain financially when you have a regular doctor’s income from Pakistan practice.