AHPRA application process

Applying for registration with AHPRA can be a rather stress-free process, if you know what documents they need/expect from the applicant. I have gone through it twice (once for limited registration for teaching or research, once for limited registration for postgraduate training or supervised practice) and have noticed a few similarities which may apply in general. This post is mainly geared towards those applying for limited registration for postgraduate training or supervised practice.

• Preparing the required documents

You should start off by downloading the application form and going through it. I must say that the forms are rather well structured and self-explanatory. Other than the main application form (ALPS-30 for limited registration for postgraduate training or supervised practice), you will need the following documents:

1. Certified copy of passport¹
2. Certified copy of Australian visa (if applying onshore)¹
3. Certified copy of another proof of identity document under Category C and/or D (if applying onshore)¹
4. Certified copy of MBBS/MD certificate¹
5. Certified copy of internship certificate (i.e. Certificate of Completion of Housemanship Training)¹
6. Curriculum Vitae²
7. Reference page of your International Criminal History Check³
8. English language test results (IELTS/OET/TOEFL)
9. Training plan (check with your employer if they already have one)
10. AMC MCQ results
11. Supervised practice plan (SPPA-30)
12. Employment contract
13. Job description
14. Certificate of Good Standing (COGS) emailed directly from the relevant medical councils to cogs@ahpra.gov.au

¹ Guidelines for certifying documents for AHPRA can be found here. The easiest (and free) method would probably be to call up a friend who is already practising in Australia to certify your documents for you.

² Common CV pitfalls: Your CV should account for every single day since the date listed on your MBBS/MD certificate, as well as state whether each position is full-time or part-time (list no. of hours/week). For those who spent months waiting to start their HOship, explaining that gap can be as simple as “waiting for housemanship placement in a Ministry of Health hospital”. The CV should also include a signed and dated declaration – refer here for the full details.

³ The ICHC vendor has to be AHPRA-approved – either Fit2Work or AIS International. I went with AIS; they provided the reference page within 24 hours and results within 1 week.

• Submit your application form and supporting documents via the online portal

Applications should be submitted via the online portal. Those without an account will be asked to register for one prior submission. It is ideal to have all required documents on hand, so that you can complete the submission process at one go and have the application assessed smoothly.

Nevertheless, if you have already collated the majority of documents and are waiting for just a few of them, you could still go ahead to lodge a submission with the documents you currently have, then add on the remaining documents through the same portal. You should select “SDOC: Supporting Documents” for form type when making subsequent uploads (see below).

• What to expect after submission

You will receive a confirmatory email from AHPRA almost immediately stating that your online upload has been received. Your application will then be placed in a queue for awaiting evaluation by an AHPRA Regulatory Officer.

Ensure that you maintain sufficient funds in your bank account if you are paying for the application and registration fees by debit card. In case you receive a notification that the transaction failed to clear, you can always call up the AHPRA hotline to make the payment via phone. There is no need to pre-emptively call up to make payment, as your invoice might not be ready even if you get through (I’ve tried).

If AHPRA requires more information or documents, the next time you hear from them would be by email with the subject of Notice to provide further information under section 80(1)(b) of the National Law. They will then list out the additional items needed to progress your application.

Once you’ve fulfilled AHPRA’s requirements, you will get an email from your assigned officer that they “can confirm that your application has progressed and has been referred to a delegate of the Medical Board of Australia for consideration”. After this email, you will receive an update regarding the application outcome within 10 business days (it took 3 days in my case).

• Employer verification of identity

[For offshore applicants]: If your application is successful, you will receive an in-principle approval that is subject to in-person verification of your identity documents by your employer. This in-principle approval is not the same as approval to practice.

Instructions for in-person identity verification will be specified in the letter from AHPRA, but basically you will need (1) your passport, (2) boarding pass stating date of entry into Australia, and (3) an original signed statement from your employer verifying your identity.

[For onshore applicants]: After you submit your application, make an appointment with your employer to get your identity verified. You will need (1) your passport, (2) Australian visa, and (3) documents stating your name and current Australian residential address. They will make copies and certify the documents for submission to AHPRA. This has to be done prior approval of registration.

After your AHPRA registration is approved, you can then proceed with your 482 Temporary Skills Shortage visa application (if applicable).

Hope this helps!