Indian MBBS doctors can sit the AMC exam - but only if specific conditions are met first. This is not a free for all open exam. There are eligibility checks, a verification process, and a fixed sequence of steps you must follow.
Australia currently needs 13,000 additional doctors by 2026. The AMC Standard Pathway is the primary route for Indian graduates to fill that gap. From your MBBS degree to general registration in Australia, expect the entire process to take 2.5 to 3.5 years. That number surprises most people. It should not surprise you.
Are Indian MBBS Doctors Eligible for the AMC Exam?
Before you book anything, confirm you meet every item on this list. Missing even one point will stall your application.
- Your MBBS must be from an NMC-recognized medical college in India
- Your college must be listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS) - but a listing alone is not enough. It must carry an active ECFMG Sponsor Note
- You must have completed, or be currently completing, your 12-month compulsory rotating internship. You can sit the MCQ during internship, but the AMC Certificate is only issued after internship is fully done
- You need a valid passport - this is required for identity verification during the EPIC process
- You need proof of English language proficiency: OET Medicine (minimum B in each component) or IELTS Academic (minimum 7.0 in each band). Scores must be less than 2 years old at the time of your AHPRA application
Important: If your college appears in WDOMS without an ECFMG Sponsor Note, the Dean of your institution must initiate a request through ECFMG. This review checks your college's accreditation and government recognition. This may take time, so do not assume your listing is complete.
The AMC Standard Pathway: Phase-by-Phase Overview
Most Indian doctors do not fail the AMC exam . They lose time initially because they do not understand the full sequence. Look at the standard timeline.
| Phase |
What Happens |
Expected Duration |
| Phase 1 |
EPIC Verification + AMC Account Creation |
3-6 months |
| Phase 2 |
AMC Part 1 MCQ Preparation + Exam |
6-8 months |
| Phase 3 |
Clinical Exam Booking or PESCI (if GP) |
4-6 months |
| Phase 4 |
AMC Part 2 Clinical Exam or WBA |
6-12 months |
| Phase 5 |
Supervised Practice (Provisional Registration) |
12 months |
| Total |
MBBS to General Registration |
2.5-3.5 years |
Each phase is connected to the others. You cannot skip ahead.
Step 1: EPIC Primary Source Verification
Many students start by buying question banks. That is the wrong move.
You cannot book the AMC MCQ exam until EPIC verification is complete. EPIC stands for Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials. It is managed by Intealth, formerly known as ECFMG. Its job is to confirm your MBBS degree is real, directly with your Indian university.
Here is how it works, step by step:
- Create a MyIntealth account at the Intealth platform.
- Complete a virtual notarization session via NotaryCam - a live video call with a licensed US notary who verifies your identity against your passport. You receive a unique 9-digit MyIntealth ID after this.
- Upload your MBBS degree and transcripts to the EPIC portal.
- ECFMG contacts your Indian university directly to confirm the documents.
- Once your university responds and ECFMG completes its review, the verified status is sent to the AMC automatically.
- Your AMC portfolio is updated and MCQ booking opens.
ECFMG typically completes its review in 30 to 90 days. But the total process often runs past 10 weeks. The reason: Indian medical colleges are slow to respond to ECFMG's verification requests. Administrative backlogs are common.
Start EPIC early - in your final months of internship. Do not wait until your internship is over.
Step 2: AMC Part 1 MCQ Exam
Exam Format
The AMC MCQ exam format is a Computer Adaptive Test (CAT). This means the difficulty of each question adjusts based on your previous answer. No two candidates sit the exact same exam.
- 150 single-best-answer questions
- 3.5 hours total
- 30 of the 150 questions are unscored pilot questions used for future calibration. They are not labeled. Treat every question the same.
- Pass score: 250 out of 500. In 2026, the underlying cut score has been raised. This means the exam now demands a deeper understanding of Australian clinical guidelines, not Indian protocols. Rote memorization will not get you to 250.
AMC exams can be tough and you would need an AMC exam coach who can mentor you through your preparations.
Syllabus Weightage
| Clinical Domain |
Weightage |
High-Yield Topics |
| Adult Health - Medicine |
30% |
ACS, COPD, diabetes management |
| Adult Health - Surgery |
20% |
Trauma, surgical emergencies |
| Women's Health |
12.5% |
Antenatal screening, labour management |
| Child Health |
12.5% |
Neonatal checks, febrile seizures |
| Mental Health |
12.5% |
Suicide risk assessment, substance use |
| Population Health and Ethics |
12.5% |
Consent, cultural safety, screening |
The biggest shift for Indian doctors: the AMC tests based on the Therapeutic Guidelines (eTG) and the RACGP Red Book - not Harrison's or API. Questions are scenario-based and test clinical reasoning, not recall. If you are studying the way you studied for NEET-PG, you are preparing for the wrong exam.
Step 3: AMC Part 2 - Clinical Exam or Workplace-Based Assessment
Clinical Examination (OSCE)
The AMC Clinical Examination is an Objective Structured Clinical Examination held only in Melbourne, Australia.
- 16 stations total - 14 are scored, 2 are unscored pilot stations
- Each station runs for approximately 10 minutes
- Pass requirement in 2026: 9 out of 14 scored stations (reduced from 10)
- Station types: history taking, physical examination, diagnostic formulation, management and counselling
The biggest gap for Indian graduates is not medical knowledge - it is communication style. Australian clinical consultations are collaborative and non-paternalistic. Patients are partners in decision-making. If your instinct is to be directive, that will cost you stations.
Scheduling is competitive. May-August 2026 slots were fully booked by early 2026. Plan your target window at least 6 months in advance.
Workplace-Based Assessment (WBA) - The Alternative Route
For applicants who initially find work in Australia, the WBA is a legal option for the Clinical Exam.
To be eligible, you need:
- A passing AMC MCQ result
- A job offer from an Australian hospital or general practice
- Limited Registration granted by the Medical Board of Australia
The WBA runs for 6 to 12 months. You are assessed in six clinical areas: Adult Medicine, Adult Surgery, Child Health, Emergency Medicine, Mental Health, and Women's Health. Cost is AUD $12,000 to $15,000, though this is often offset by the salary you earn while being assessed.
AMC Exam Total Cost for Indian Doctors - Fees in INR (2026)
| Component |
Fee (AUD) |
Approx. Fee (INR) |
| AMC MCQ Authorisation |
$2,920 |
Rs.1,59,000 |
| AMC Clinical Examination |
$3,000 |
Rs.1,63,000 |
| EPIC Verification |
$150 |
Rs.8,200 |
| NotaryCam Virtual Session |
$100 USD |
Rs.8,400 |
| AHPRA Application (IMG) |
$742 |
Rs.40,500 |
| AHPRA Registration Fee |
$1,058 |
Rs.57,500 |
Total direct cost: approximately Rs. 3.5 to Rs. 4.5 lakh
This does not include-
- OET or IELTS fees
- Australian visitor visa
- Flight to Melbourne
- Accommodation during the clinical exam, or living expenses.
Step 4: AHPRA Registration - When Can You Actually Practice?
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) grants the actual legal authority to practice. This is done through the Medical Board of Australia.
English Language Requirements
- OET Medicine: minimum B in each component
- IELTS Academic: minimum 7.0 in each band
- PTE Academic: minimum 65 overall and 65 in each section
- All scores must be less than 2 years old at the time of application
Documents Specific to Indian Doctors
You must arrange a Certificate of Good Standing (COGS) from the National Medical Commission or your State Medical Council. It must be sent directly to AHPRA - you cannot submit it yourself.
A COGS is valid for only 3 months from the date of issue. If your registration process stretches past that window, you will need to request a fresh certificate or submit a statutory declaration. This is a common source of delays that most candidates do not anticipate.
The Most Common Mistake Indian Doctors Make on the AMC Pathway
Most candidates open a question bank on day one. That is the wrong starting point.
EPIC verification takes 3 to 6 months, and you cannot book the MCQ exam until it is done. If you spend those months studying and then start EPIC, you have added half a year to your timeline for no reason. Start EPIC first. Study in parallel.
The second mistake is ignoring recency of practice. AHPRA requires a minimum of 152 hours of clinical work in the previous 12 months. Candidates who spend a full year only studying, with no active clinical role, may be asked to complete a supervised practice period before getting full registration. Keep your clinical hours active throughout.
AMC Exam for Indian Doctors - Key Facts at a Glance
- Eligibility: NMC-recognized MBBS + WDOMS listing with ECFMG Sponsor Note + 12-month internship
- Start with: EPIC verification via MyIntealth, not exam registration
- AMC Part 1 MCQ: 150 questions, 3.5 hours, CAT format, pass score 250 out of 500
- AMC Part 2: 16-station OSCE in Melbourne, or WBA completed in Australia
- Total direct cost: Rs. 3.5 to Rs. 4.5 lakh
- Total timeline: 2.5 to 3.5 years from MBBS to general registration
The AMC pathway is long, but it is not complicated once you understand the sequence. Start with EPIC. Clear the MCQ. Book the Clinical Exam early. And keep practicing clinically the entire time.
To Conclude
The AMC exam pathway is long, but the sequence is clear. Start EPIC verification early, study Australian guidelines - not Indian protocols - and keep your clinical hours active throughout. Indian MBBS doctors who plan ahead and follow the steps in order give themselves the best shot at practicing medicine in Australia.
