Overseas trained specialists who have obtained specialist Sport and Exercise Medicine qualifications outside of Australia and New Zealand can apply to the ACSEP for an assessment by the Overseas Trained Specialist (OTS) Committee.
Application for Specialist Assessment
Overseas training in the speciality of Sport and Exercise Medicine overseas does not always correspond to the Australian and New Zealand context. Even where training programs have similar structures and assessments to the ACSEP, there may be differences in scope of practice, core competencies and methods of assessment.
Therefore every Specialist International Medical Graduate (SIMG) applying for specialist assessment requires an individualised assessment of comparability to the Australian and New Zealand trained SEM Physician.
Assessment of SIMGs is guided by the ACSEP Overseas Trained Specialist policy available ACSEP Policies
Assessment of Eligibility to Practice
To be eligible to apply for assessment with ACSEP applicants must:
- Hold a primary degree in medicine and surgery issued by a recognised international medical school and verified by the Australian Medical Council (AMC)
- Have completed formal post-graduate training in Sport and Exercise Medicine
- Have obtained specialist recognition from a recognised college or equivalent body and provide evidence of specialist recognition
- Have participated in a continuing professional development program since obtaining the specialist qualification
- Have recency of practice in the relevant scope of practice
- Demonstrate they have the necessary English language skills for the purpose of registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency (AHPRA).
Applicants must provide documentary evidence of post-training experience, including:
- Clinical expertise in the relevant Scope of Practice
- Medical coverage experience
- Current overseas registration as a Specialist in Sport and Exercise Medicine Physician
- Recency of practice in Sport and Exercise Medicine
- Involvement in SEM research
Applicants must also provide information and evidentiary documentation to demonstrate that their previous training meets that of the the ACSEP in that:
- The training program was a structured postgraduate course of at least four (4) years duration with published standards that are comparable to that of the ACSEP Training Program
- There has been a documented and systematic in-training assessment system incorporating regular, ongoing formative and summative performance-based assessments including an entrance and exit examination comparable to that undertaken by ACSEP Registrars
- The training program is accredited against published standards by an external body and was subjected to assessment for reaccreditation at regular intervals.
There are different assessment processes for applicants seeking assessment in Australia or New Zealand.
Applicants may request the ACSEP Curriculum to understand the full scope of training to become a specialist Sports and Exercise Physician in Australia and New Zealand.
assessment of eligibility to practice in Australia
Please review Find out more about practicing as an SEM Physician in Australia.
1. Application Process
Australian applicants MUST be assessed by the Australian Medical Council (AMC) prior and provide their AMC confirmation number or EIS number in their application form to ACSEP. Applicants must submit an OTS Application Form and a copy of their CV to ots@acsep.org.au. There is a fee associated with OTS application assessment. Applicants should consult ther latest ACSEP FEE schedule for fee information. Once an application is received, applicants will be sent payment information. Upon successful payment, a link will be provided to upload supporting documentation.
2. Assessment Process
The Australian OTS assessment process is facilitated by the OTS committee and is summarised below:
3. Outcomes
Applicants will be eligible to commence on the OTS pathway to specialist recognition in Australia if their application is deemed substantially comparable or partially comparable. Applicants who are deemed not comparable will not be eligible to commence on the OTS pathway to specialist recognition in Australia.
4. Review, reconsideration and appeals
Applicants may request a reconsideration, review or appeal the decision made on their comparability. Applicants wishing to do so should consult the Review, Reconsideration and Appeals Policy available on the website.
Applicants can apply for re-assessment of application if they undertake further study or training that may update deficits identified in their initial application. Enquiries must be directed to ots@acsep.org.au. A re-assessment fee applies and applicants should consult the latest ACSEP FEE schedule for more information.
Assessment of eligibility to practice in New Zealand
SIMGs to review Find out more about practicing as an SEM Physician in New Zealand for information on the process for assessment for recognition to practice in New Zealand. New Zealand applicants will apply and gain specialist recognition as SEM Physicians through MCNZ.
1. Application process
Applicants MUST apply to the Medical Council of NEw Zealand (MCNZ) to be assessed for vocational (specialist) registration. Applications should refer to the MCNZ website for fees for registration to practise in New Zealand
2. Assessment Process
MCNZ may refer applications to ACSEP for assessment and equivalent to those of New Zealand trained Sports and Exercise Medicine Physicians. The ACSEP will provide assessment feedback to MCNZ only and MCNZ will advise applicant of outcome and recommended outcomes.
3. Outcomes
Applicants will be eligible to commence on the OTS pathway to specialist recognition in New Zealnd if their application os deemed equivalent to or satisfactory to a New Zealnd-trained Physician. Applicants will be able to apply for any one of the two provisional vocational pathways: "supervised" or Assessment" details here
Please submit the OTS Application Form form and send all supporting documentation, including a copy of your Curriculum Vitae to ots@acsep.org.au. Please also note the relevant fees associated with the processing of this application. Applicants will be invoiced for this amount once the College has received your documentation.
Applicants who are neither equivalent to nor satisfactory will have their application declined.
Application for Fellowship
Following completion recommended requirements, OTS pathways trainees may apply for ACSEP fellowship. Applicants must provide supporting documentation that they have met the requirements, which will be reviewed and approved by the OTS committee. Final approval for all ACSEP fellowship applications is made by the ACSEP board.
If an OTS pathway trainee has been elevated to fellowship, they gain Fellow membership at the ACSEP and no longer come under the Overseas Trained Specialist membership category. All Fellows must fulfil all college CPD and financial obligations of a full paying Fellow. Fellows should consult the latest ACSEP FEE schedule for fee information and latest CPD manual for CPD information.
Additional RESOURCES
AMC - Primary Source Verification
AHPRA- Requirements for translating documents
Australian Government Health Workforce Data
MBA reports on specialist pathway data.