Specialists who trained in countries other than Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand are referred to as Specialist International Medical Graduates (SIMGs) and International Medical Graduates (non-specialists) are referred to as IMGs.
Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand
Specialist Assessment is the assessment of your international emergency medicine specialist qualifications and experience, as comparable to a Fellow of ACEM (FACEM).
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SIMG application statistics and Emergency Medicine Specialist demographics in Australia and New Zealand
Applications for Specialist Assessment received in 2017: 22
Countries of applicants’ specialist qualification:
- United Kingdom (includes England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) - eight
- USA - four
- Egypt - two
- Qatar - two
- France - one
- Jordan - one
- Republic of Korea - one
- Netherlands - one
- South Africa - one
- Syrian Arab Republic - one
Of 290 new FACEMs elected to Fellowship in 2017, 14 came through the SIMG pathway.
Assessments made in 2017: 17
- Substantially Comparable: eight (UK seven, US one)
- Partially Comparable: seven (US two, one each from Egypt, Netherlands, Qatar, South Africa, Syrian Arab Republic)
- Not Comparable: two (Korea, France)
Fellows of ACEM (FACEM) Demographics
- FACEMs working in Australia in 2017: 2151, of these 23.5% work in non-metropolitan areas and 35% are female.
- FACEMs working in Aotearoa New Zealand in 2017: 283, of these 43.3 % work in non-metropolitan areas and 41.7 are female.
- 65.3% of all FACEMs work in the eastern states of Australia: NSW, Victoria or Queensland.
- The average age of FACEMs: 45.4 (Australia) and 45.8 (Aotearoa New Zealand).
- A total of 978 active FACEMs (39%) gained their primary medical degree overseas and as such are classified as International Medical Graduates. Of these some completed the FACEM training program and others with specialist qualifications in emergency medicine came to Fellowship through the SIMG pathway.
- Currently 10.3% of active FACEMs came to Fellowship through the SIMG pathway.
The college suggests that you investigate the size and location of the Emergency Medicine Specialist workforce in Australia to better understand your opportunities for employment. You may find the Department of Health's Australia's Future Health Workforce – Emergency Medicine report, and the MCNZ's New Zealand medical workforce useful.
For further information on statistics relating to the SIMG process (including the number of substantially, partially and not comparable applicants over the last 12 months) please download the AHPRA "Report on Specialist Medical Colleges Specialist Pathway Data".
Australia only
Area of Need position assessment is the assessment of your international emergency medicine specialist qualifications and experience, as comparable to a FACEM, to work as an emergency medicine specialist in a designated Area of Need position (typically in a rural or regional location).
Concurrent assessment - If you apply for an Area of Need position, you may apply for Specialist Assessment concurrently.
Short Term Training position assessment is the assessment of your qualifications and experience for short term employment in an emergency department training position. Applicants must have completed specialist training or be in the final two years of their international specialist training.
Pathway selection
The flowchart below provides a guide:
SIMG Pathway Fees 2018/2019
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Specialist Assessment
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Australia ($)
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Initial Assessment (processed once application documentation is complete).
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$2039
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Structured Interview (if eligible, processed 4 weeks prior to interview).
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$4966
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SIMG Annual Registration (required while completing pathway requirements).
- Includes Educational Affiliate Membership and ACEM CPD Program Enrolment.
- Required on an annual basis while completing any of the pathway requirements.
- Amount credited towards Fellowship payment if mid-year completion.
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$1641
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Election to Fellowship Application.
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$1822
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Annual Fellowship Subscription (including CPD).
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$2004
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An SIMG assessed as Partially or Substantially Comparable would expect to pay in total, between $10,831 (if assessed as Substantially Comparable with no pathway requirements) to $20,125 (if assessed as Partially Comparable with a two year pathway requirement) and even more if their pathway is extended beyond two years. (Estimations based on current fees).
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Area of Need Position Assessment (No Specialist Assessment)
| |
Australia ($)
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Area of Need Position Assessment.
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$2039
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Annual Educational Affiliate Membership/CPD Program Enrolment (optional).
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$1641
|
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Concurrent Application (Specialist Assessment and Area of Need Assessment)
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Australia ($)
|
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Initial Assessment and Area of Need Position Assessment (processed once application documentation is complete).
|
$2039
|
|
Structured Interview (if eligible, processed 4 weeks prior to interview).
|
$4966
|
|
SIMG Annual Registration (required while completing pathway requirements).
- Includes Educational Affiliate Membership and ACEM CPD Program Enrolment.
- Required on an annual basis while completing any of the pathway requirements.
- Amount credited towards Fellowship payment if mid-year completion.
|
$1641
|
|
Election to Fellowship Application.
|
$1822
|
|
Annual Fellowship Subscription (including CPD).
|
$2004
|