Migrate to Australia as a Specialist Physician NEC (ANZSCO 253399) — 2026 Pathway Guide

This is a working migration guide for Specialist Physicians NEC under ANZSCO 253399 in 2026. NEC code that captures internal medicine sub-specialties not in defined 253311-253324 codes.

For costs and timelines see the 253399 cost & timeline case study. For RACP, see the skills assessment guide.

What 253399 covers

ANZSCO 253399 covers internal medicine sub-specialties not separately coded:

• Geriatric Medicine — RACP advanced training
• Palliative Medicine — RACP / RACGP joint
• Infectious Diseases — RACP advanced training
• Immunology and Allergy — RACP advanced training
• Sleep Medicine — RACP advanced training
• Sports and Exercise Medicine — ACSEP separate college
• Addiction Medicine — Australasian Chapter of Addiction Medicine (RACP)
• Public Health Medicine — Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine (RACP)
• Occupational and Environmental Medicine — Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (RACP)
• Rehabilitation Medicine — Australasian Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine (RACP)
• Pharmacological Medicine / Clinical Pharmacology (RACP)
• Other internal medicine sub-specialties not in defined codes

Visas open to 253399

See Subclass 189, 190, 491, 186, 494, and 482.

RACP Specialist Pathway (NEC sub-specialties)

Standard RACP Specialist Pathway with sub-specialty endorsement:

1. Application + qualifications + experience review (6-12 months)
2. Outcome: Substantially Comparable / Partially Comparable / Not Comparable
3. Medical Board Specialist Registration with sub-specialty endorsement
4. 12 months supervised practice (Substantially Comparable)
5. FRACP + sub-specialty Fellowship granted

Expected evidence:

• Primary medical degree (MBBS / MD / equivalent)
• Internal medicine Fellowship (MRCP UK / FRCPC / ABIM)
• Sub-specialty CCT / Fellowship (e.g., CCT in Geriatric Medicine, Palliative Care, Infectious Diseases)
• Origin-side specialist registration with sub-specialty endorsement
• Clinical experience evidence
• Continuing professional development records
• English language test (typically OET B grade)

RACP Specialist Pathway fees: ~AUD 5,000-12,000.

Sponsors that hire 253399 (by sub-specialty)

• Geriatric Medicine — public hospital geriatrics, aged care providers (Bupa, Regis, Estia)
• Palliative Medicine — palliative care services, hospices, community palliative
• Infectious Diseases — public hospital ID services, sexual health clinics
• Immunology and Allergy — tertiary allergy centres, private allergy clinics
• Sleep Medicine — sleep clinics, private sleep specialists
• Rehabilitation Medicine — rehab hospitals, RACS
• Public Health Medicine — state DoH / DCCEEW / Communicable Diseases units

Common mistakes

• Sub-specialty not specified. State your sub-specialty clearly in application
• Wrong code. If your sub-specialty has a defined code (cardiology / haematology / etc.), use that — not 253399
• English test too old. OET / IELTS validity ~2-3 years
• Origin-side sub-specialty endorsement absent. Required for streamlined pathway

Tools

• Eligibility wizard
• ANZSCO search — verify 253399 vs defined sub-specialty codes
• Document checklist
• Visa fee calculator

Where to verify

• RACP — including all faculties (AFRM, AFOEM, AFPHM, AChPM, AChAM)
• Medical Board of Australia

Next step

Want help mapping your sub-specialty profile to RACP + Medical Board? Book a 30-minute free strategy call.