Posted February 21 2021
By Alasdair Spinner
Frequently asked question.
Q. I’m a UK based Professor and consultant psychiatrist - CCT and FRCPsych. When flights to Australia resume I want to do a 3 month locum there to get a tan and learn to surf whilst everyone freezes back in the UK. Can I?
A. No. No you can't.
Regardless of your qualifications, years of experience, international standing etc. all IMG (international medical graduates) psychiatrists cannot locum in Australia until they become a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (FRANZCP).
So how do I get FRANZCP? If you're an IMG, this is how it works:
1.Secure a job offer for a substantive post.
2. Have your qualifications, training and experience assessed by RANZCP to be assessed as substantially comparable to a psychiatrist trained in Australia.
3. Complete medical registration and go through the visa process.
4. Start work, and following a period of 12 months in which you complete a workplace based assessment, get awarded FRANZCP.
Simples.
Once you're FRANZCP you can locum and work in private practice (with conditions) - both lucrative options. Further, you're in the mix for management opportunities should the temptation arise.
That’s the gist of it. If you want more detail on your own eligibility to be assessed as ‘substantially comparable’ to a psychiatrist trained in Australia, current or future job openings, salaries, working conditions and to find out it's true everyone in Australia goes surfing after work - get in touch!