u/DrLaraMcGirrPhD

Something that I haven't really seen discussed here and wanted to touch on:

The Australian government is currently investing significantly in how internationally qualified health practitioners (IQHPs) are oriented and supported when they enter the Australian healthcare system. I know this because I worked on it from the inside, including contributing to the implementation of recommendations of a multi-million dollar government review focused specifically on this area.

Workforce shortages are documented and they are a federal policy priority. The infrastructure being built around IQHP onboarding exists because the demand is real.

That's not to say the Australian job market for clinicians isn't extremely competitive. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't. It absolutely is and I wouldn't want anyone to pursue the pathway to practising in Australia blindly.

However, most IMGs are highly competent clinicians who weren't trained to navigate this particular system. The Australian hiring process has a specific logic to it, and understanding that logic changes what's possible. That knowledge gap is closeable.

The process can feel opaque and arbitrary from the outside which can make it feel impenetrable and overwhelming. But it can feel a whole lot more doable once you understand it. And that's the work I'm really passionate about.

Accurate information about how this system actually works is genuinely hard to find. So if you have questions, ask them below. I'll do my best to help. And I'll be transparent about anything outside my scope.

I'll drop a link in the comments to my website in case it's useful.

I'm running free group Q&A sessions for IMGs who want to ask questions and get some clarity on the pathways available or support on preparing their applications for Australian jobs.

Sessions are open to anyone at any stage, whether you're still overseas, recently arrived, or actively applying.

Based on feedback, sessions are now scheduled at 7pm Sydney time, which works well for India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.

I will try to add a few sessions each month so if you can't make it in May, come back and check times again later on.

Details and registration: https://laramcgirr.com/img-drop-in

I spent years working inside the NSW health system, including time on the Kruk Review, and I can tell you that selection criteria responses are where most IMG applications fall apart.

In Australia, when a hospital asks for a response to selection criteria, they're not asking for a summary of your experience. They're asking for a specific example of a time you demonstrated that skill. A story. Evidence.

"I have strong communication skills developed across 8 years of clinical practice" tells a panel nothing they can assess.

"During a night shift in [context], I had to communicate a deteriorating patient's status to a specialist who was resistant to reviewing. Here's what I did and what happened"—that's what they're looking for.

Most IMGs write the first kind. The panels are looking for the second.

Happy to answer questions. I also built a free quiz for IMGs navigating the Australian pathway, and I've opened some drop-in group coaching sessions for anyone wanting clarity on specific questions. I'll link in comments if either are useful.

In case it's useful to anyone, I've put together a quiz to help give you more information on what the next steps may be for you, depending on where you're currently at with AMC or in your training, if you're working toward practising here in Australia.

I really hope it's helpful. Happy to answer any questions you might have too 😊

https://laramcgirr.com/img-pathway-quiz/