Area of Need


Assessment for suitability for an Area of Need position

Background

This guide is intended for overseas trained physicians (OTPs) who wish to apply for assessment for suitability to work in a designated Area of Need position in Australia. Please note that a separate process exists for applications for Specialist Registration and Fellowship of the College and more information about these pathways is available on the College website.

An Area of Need assessment relates solely to the suitability of the applicant for the position applied for and is undertaken by the College’s OTP Assessment Panel. If the applicant is approved to work in the Area of Need position they are required to successfully complete a period of 12 months practice under peer review in that position. If this period is completed satisfactorily then the College will then have no further involvement. If the applicant then wishes to apply for specialist registration or FRACP, this would involve a new application procedure. An OTP who is approved for an Area of Need position is only permitted to work in the position applied for, and cannot work in other centres in Australia without undertaking further assessment by the RACP. The College discourages applicants from applying concurrently for both Area of Need and specialist registration.

An application for specialist registration involves a more thorough assessment of an OTP’s overseas training, qualifications and experience. Applications for specialist registration are currently assessed the OTP Sub-Committee and more information is available on the College’s website under ‘Assessment Processes - Specialist Registration via the AMC’. Once specialist registration has been granted the OTP is able to apply for any position within Australia (in the sub speciality in which they were assessed).

OTPs who hold qualifications that allow practice and recognition as a specialist physician/paediatrician in another country may apply to have their specialist training and experience assessed by the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) with a view to gaining approval to work in a designated Area of Need position in Australia.

The process is one in which the formal training and assessment, clinical experience and standard of practice of the applicant are assessed. In addition, significant weight is placed on the suitability of the candidate to the Area of Need position applied for. The process does not solely consider formal training and assessment but takes into consideration subsequent clinical experience and the nature of the OTP’s current practice including participation in continuing professional development activities. This is a comprehensive process that involves:

  • an application using a standardised pro forma;
  • referees’ reports; and
  • an interview.

For more detailed information about the Area of Need process please download the Area of Need - OTP Information Sheet.

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