RACP Specialist Pathway for General Physician (ANZSCO 253311) — 2026 Guide

This is the practical RACP Specialist Pathway guide for ANZSCO 253311 General Physician. For pathway view, see the pathway guide. For costs, see the cost case study.

RACP Specialist Pathway sequence

1. Submit application with qualifications + experience evidence
2. RACP Specialist Assessment — committee review (6-12 months)
3. Outcome: Substantially Comparable / Partially Comparable / Not Comparable
4. Medical Board Specialist Registration — based on RACP outcome
5. Supervised practice period (12 months for Substantially Comparable; longer for Partially)
6. FRACP Fellowship granted

Outcome categorisations

Substantially Comparable

• MRCP + CCT in General Internal Medicine + extensive consultant practice
• Direct pathway to FRACP
• 12 months supervised practice
• No examinations required

Partially Comparable

• Some gaps in training/experience identified
• Targeted top-up assessment + supervised practice
• May require RACP Final Examination
• 24-36 months to FRACP

Not Comparable

• Substantial training gaps
• Full RACP training program required (~6+ years)
• Most candidates pivot to RMO + RACP basic training instead

Qualification evidence

Submit:

• Primary medical degree (MBBS / MD / equivalent) certificate + transcript
• Specialist Fellowship (MRCP UK + CCT, FRCPC, ABIM, etc.)
• Origin-side specialist registration
• CCT / equivalent training completion certificate
• Continuing professional development records (5+ years recent)

Clinical experience evidence

Each role:

• Hospital employer letter
• Title — Consultant Physician / Senior Physician / Lead Physician
• Dates and FTE hours
• Caseload (general medicine, acute care, complex multi-morbidity, etc.)
• Subspecialty interests (if any)

For locum / agency:

• Agency letters
• Hospital reference letters

English requirement

RACP + Medical Board requires:

• OET — grade B each component (most popular)
• IELTS Academic — 7.0 each band
• PTE Academic — 65 each

Common reasons assessments stall

• Insufficient consultant-level evidence. Need post-Fellowship consultant practice
• Origin-side registration restrictions. Unrestricted origin registration essential
• English test too old. Test must be valid (typically 2 years for OET)
• Sub-specialty profile under-emphasised. General medicine specifically needs documentation if you sub-specialised

Tools

• Document checklist
• Eligibility wizard
• ANZSCO search
• Visa fee calculator

Where to verify

• RACP
• Medical Board of Australia
• Royal College of Physicians (UK) — origin reference

Next step

Want a RACP pre-flight on your physician profile? Book a 30-minute free strategy call.