What is the difference between AMC and PLAB for Indian medical graduates?

The AMC exam is for medical registration in Australia. The PLAB test is for GMC registration to work in the UK. There are two separate pathways for two different countries.

Can PLAB help me get AMC exemption or skip AMC exams in Australia?

No. The AMC and PLAB are completely independent. You must pass the required exams for the country where you want to practice medicine.

What is the duration of completing AMC vs PLAB and finding work in abroad?

PLAB typically takes 1-1.5 years. It usually takes the AMC pathway 1.5-2+ years because the clinical examination process may prolong waiting times.

Do Indian doctors find PLAB or AMC more costly, including travel and preparation expenses?

Generally, the AMC is more costly. The PLAB exam cost is lower upfront, but both require budgeting for travel, preparation courses, and living costs for clinical exams.

Do I need an internship or clinical experience before PLAB or AMC?

Yes. Both pathways require you to have a completed 12-month rotating internship. You also need a passing score in an English language test (IELTS/OET) before applying.

AMC vs PLAB for Indian Doctors 2026: Eligibility, Cost & Career Path

If you're an Indian MBBS graduate looking to practice abroad, you're likely comparing the AMC and PLAB exams.

The key difference is location. PLAB is your pathway to work as a doctor in the UK and get GMC registration. The AMC is the mandatory exam to practice medicine in Australia.

For cost and timeline, PLAB is often faster and less expensive upfront to start working. The AMC pathway can be longer, but it is seen as a more direct route to permanent residency in Australia.

Quick verdict: Choose PLAB for the UK if you want to start your medical career abroad quickly. Choose the AMC for Australia if your main goal is long-term settlement and PR.

In this article, we will clearly compare both medical licensing exams - the AMC for Australia and the PLAB for the UK. This will help you find your best path forward.

What Are AMC and PLAB?

If you're feeling overwhelmed by terms like AMC and PLAB, don't worry. Think of them simply as your ticket to practice medicine in two great countries. Both are mandatory licensing exams for international medical graduates.

What is the AMC?

The AMC exam is your gateway to practice medicine in Australia. It is run by the Australian Medical Council. Passing it is the key step to getting registered with the Medical Board of Australia and AHPRA, the country's medical regulators.

What is the PLAB?

The PLAB test is your pathway to work as a doctor in the UK. It is conducted by the General Medical Council (GMC). Success in PLAB leads directly to GMC registration. This allows you to join the NHS or other UK healthcare services.

In short, each exam is your formal qualification to start your medical career abroad in your chosen destination.

Eligibility Criteria for Indian Doctors

Is your first question, "Am I even eligible?". As an Indian MBBS graduate, you are eligible for both pathways. But you must meet these basic requirements.

Primary Requirements for Both:

MBBS Degree: A recognized primary medical qualification. It includes degrees from India or abroad for foreign medical graduates (FMGs).
Internship: A completed 12-month rotating internship.
English Test: A high score in IELTS or OET for doctors.

Key Eligibility Comparison:

Factor	AMC (Australia)	PLAB (UK)
MBBS Degree	Recognized by the Australian Medical Council	Recognized by the GMC (UK)
Internship	Must be completed	Must be completed
English Test	IELTS or OET required	IELTS or OET required
Attempt Limits	No official limit	Maximum of 4 attempts for PLAB 1

Important Note: You do not need an Indian Medical Council registration (MCI/NMC) to apply for AMC or PLAB exam. This is a major advantage for FMGs seeking an international career right after graduation.

AMC & PLAB Exam Pattern & Structure Comparison

Both the medical licensing exams are in two clear parts: a written test and a hands-on clinical exam. How is each one structured?

The AMC Exam Format

AMC CAT MCQ Exam: This is a computer-based, multiple-choice question test. It evaluates your applied medical knowledge.
AMC Clinical Exam: This is a practical exam with stations where you interact with simulated patients. You may also hear about the Workplace-Based Assessment (WBA) pathway, which is a different, longer route to registration in Australia.

The PLAB Exam Format

PLAB 1: A written exam of 180 multiple-choice questions, held in many countries including India.
PLAB 2 OSCE: This is the clinical test. It is an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) held only in the UK. It involves acting out real-life scenarios at different stations.

Exam Structure Comparison

Feature	AMC	PLAB
Written Exam	AMC CAT MCQ (Computer Adaptive Test)	PLAB 1 (Multiple-choice, paper-based)
Clinical Exam	AMC Clinical Exam (Structured scenarios)	PLAB 2 (OSCE format in the UK)
Exam Locations	Written part in India; Clinical in Australia	PLAB 1 in India; PLAB 2 OSCE only in the UK
Assessment Style	Tests knowledge and clinical application	Tests practical skills and clinical judgement for the NHS

This structure is the first step to building a confident exam preparation plan.

AMC & PLAB: Planning Your Budget in INR

A major worry for most students is cost. These are the approximate expenses in Indian Rupees to give you clarity for budget planning. Remember, these are estimates, and careful planning is key.

Official Exam Fees (in INR)

AMC Fees (Australia)

MCQ (CAT) Exam fee: AUD 2,920 = Rs.1,58,000 - Rs.1,62,000 (varies with exchange rate)
Clinical Exam (in-person): AUD 3,000 = Rs.1,65,000 - Rs.1,70,000 (new reduced fee from July 2025)
Clinical Exam (online): AUD 3,400 = Rs.1,90,000 - Rs.1,95,000

(These are the core AMC fees. Portfolio setup and result verification are smaller additional charges.)

PLAB Fees (UK)

PLAB 1: £283 = Rs.34,000 - Rs.36,000
PLAB 2: £1,036 = Rs.1,24,000 - Rs.1,30,000

Cost Comparison - AMC vs PLAB (Approx INR)

Expense	AMC (Australia)	PLAB (UK)
Core Exam Fees	Rs.3,20,000 - Rs.3,55,000	Rs.1,60,000 - Rs.1,70,000
English Test (IELTS/OET)	Rs.15,000 - Rs.35,000 (approx)	Rs.15,000 - Rs.35,000 (approx)
Travel & Stay	Rs.1,50,000 - Rs.4,00,000 (approx)	Rs.1,50,000 - Rs.3,00,000 (approx)
Preparation	Rs.50,000 - Rs.2,00,000 (approx)	Rs.30,000 - Rs.1,00,000 (approx)
Total Estimate	Rs.6,00,000 - Rs.10,00,000+	Rs.3,50,000 - Rs.6,00,000+

Notes Readers Should Know

Why this matters:

The AMC fees for Indian doctors include two major parts (MCQ + Clinical). The clinical part has decreased recently (July 2025).
PLAB examination in India consists primarily of the test itself (PLAB 1 + PLAB 2). The PLAB 1 is taken in India and the PLAB 2 in the United Kingdom.
Prices of travel & visa differ greatly depending on season, length of stay, and origin of flight.

Quick Tips for Budget Planning

AMC route overall costs more because you pay higher exam fees and likely travel to Australia for the clinical exam.
PLAB is cheaper upfront but includes travel + stay for PLAB 2 in the UK - and that can add significantly.
Preparation & coaching vary widely - some students self-study, others join structured courses.

Difficulty & Timeline: What to Expect

It's normal to ask, "Which exam is harder?" or "How long will this take?" AMC as well as PLAB are not easy. But it is manageable with solid exam preparation. Look at this table -

Difficulty & Timeline Comparison

Factor	AMC (Australia)	PLAB (UK)
Perceived Difficulty	Considered harder; deeper clinical theory.	Tough, but focused on NHS practice.
Attempts Allowed	No strict limit.	Max 4 attempts for PLAB 1.
Time to Practice	Longer (1.5 - 2+ years).	Shorter (1 - 1.5 years).
Slot Availability	Good for written; clinical slots can have waits.	PLAB 1 is easy; PLAB 2 slots in the UK can be competitive.

What This Means for You:

PLAB offers a faster pathway to GMC registration and starting work in the UK.
Most of the time, the AMC journey takes a long way and the exam is tough. But it leads to medical registration in Australia.
The two are having good pass rates for well-prepared candidates. Your success depends on a study plan and preparation.

Your Career After the Exams: Jobs, Salary & Future

What does life look like after you succeed? See this table.

Career Outcomes at a Glimpse

Aspect	UK (After PLAB)	Australia (After AMC)
Job Roles	Start as an NHS doctor in foundational or senior house officer (SHO) posts.	Begin as a resident medical officer (RMO) or intern in a public hospital.
Starting Salary	Approx. Rs.45-55 lakhs per year.	Approx. Rs.60-75 lakhs per year (higher base pay).
Work Environment	Structured NHS training system; can be busy.	Generally good staffing ratios; emphasis on work-life balance.
PR Pathway	Skilled Worker Visa leads to ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) in 5 years.	More straightforward route to permanent residency for doctors.
Lifestyle	Fast-paced, multicultural cities. Easy travel to Europe.	Outdoor, relaxed lifestyle with great weather. Family-friendly.

The Bottom Line:

The PLAB pathway gets you into the UK healthcare system faster. The AMC pathway often leads to a higher starting salary and a more direct route to permanent residency in Australia. It all depends on your priorities of having a faster start or a long-term settlement.

The Final Weigh-In: Pros and Cons

The following is a list of the most common pros and cons of each of the medical licensing paths.

Exam	Pros	Cons
PLAB (UK)	Faster pathway to GMC registration. Lower total upfront cost. Easier access to NHS jobs and training.	Skilled Worker Visa requires ongoing sponsorship. Longer route to permanent settlement. Highly competitive PLAB 2 exam slots.
AMC (Australia)	Clear, relatively fast track to permanent residency for doctors. Higher base salary for medical officers. Strong focus on work-life balance.	Higher total exam and travel costs. Longer overall timeline to start practicing. Can be perceived as more academically challenging.

The Summary

The choice between AMC and PLAB is a major decision. A clear, personalized plan is your key to avoiding costly delays and mistakes.

Common missteps include poor exam timing, choosing the wrong preparation resources, and underestimating visa processes. This is where expert guidance helps.

You will need a clear roadmap. Book a free consultation with MOKSH Academy for a personal profile evaluation. You are just a call away from your medical career abroad.