The Australian Medical Council (AMC) is an independent national standards and assessment body for medical education and training, established in 1985. According to the AMC, its purpose is “to ensure that standards of education, training, and assessment of the medical profession promote and protect the health of the Australian community.”
One of the key ways the AMC fulfills this role is by assessing international medical graduates (IMGs) through the AMC examinations, which are required for doctors seeking to practice medicine in Australia.
AMC MCQ Exam
The AMC examination process consists of two parts. The first is the AMC MCQ exam, a 150-question multiple-choice assessment delivered as a Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) over three and a half hours.
In a CAT format, each candidate receives a unique exam. The first question is selected randomly from the item pool. If the candidate answers correctly, the next question increases in difficulty; if answered incorrectly, the following question is easier. This adaptive process continues until the final question is completed. The scoring is calculated dynamically after each response.
At least half of the questions are drawn from previously used items, while the remaining questions are new. The exam content covers the following domains:
- Adult Health (Medicine)
- Adult Health (Surgery)
- Women’s Health (Obstetrics & Gynecology)
- Child Health
- Mental Health
- Population Health
- Ethics
AMC Clinical Exam
After successfully passing the AMC MCQ exam, candidates become eligible to sit for the AMC Clinical Exam, which is conducted in an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) format.
This exam assesses clinical competence at the level of a final-year medical student entering internship. It consists of 16 active stations and 4 rest stations, completed over 3–4 hours in a single day. Candidates are given 10 minutes per station—2 minutes to read the scenario and tasks, followed by 8 minutes to complete them.
Tasks may include:
- Taking a focused medical history
- Performing a physical examination
- Suggesting differential diagnoses or investigations
- Counseling or educating patients
Stations may involve simulated patients, video scenarios, medical charts, images, or other clinical materials.
Following an extensive review, the AMC updated its passing criteria for the Clinical Exam, reducing the required number of passed stations from 10 out of 14 to 9 out of 14.
AMC Workplace-Based Assessment (WBA)
For candidates who prefer an alternative to the Clinical Exam, the AMC offers a Workplace-Based Assessment (WBA) pathway. This assessment evaluates a doctor’s real-world clinical performance over time in an accredited workplace setting.
The WBA focuses on:
- Clinical knowledge and decision-making
- Communication skills
- Professionalism and teamwork
- Patient safety and risk management
This pathway allows IMGs to demonstrate competence in everyday clinical practice rather than a single examination setting.
AMC Eligibility Requirements
To apply for AMC examinations, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Hold a medical degree from a school listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools
- Demonstrate English language proficiency through IELTS or OET
- Hold Australian or New Zealand citizenship, permanent residency, or an appropriate work visa
Required Documents
- Final Medical Diploma / Primary Qualification (e.g., MBBS)
Verified through the EPIC (Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials) system - Proof of Identity
Government-issued photo ID such as a passport - English Language Test Results
IELTS or OET (if applicable)
AMC Exam Venues
The AMC MCQ exam is conducted year-round at approved testing centers within Australia and internationally. Pearson VUE manages the exam venues and scheduling. Candidates may select their preferred exam date up to 12 months in advance through their AMC candidate account.
The AMC Clinical Exam, which was previously conducted online, is now fully in-person and held at the AMC test center in Melbourne throughout 2026.
Steps to Apply for the AMC Exam
Step 1: Visit the official AMC website
Step 2: Create an AMC candidate account
Step 3: Set up an EPIC account and submit credentials for verification
Step 4: Establish your AMC Portfolio
Step 5: Complete the AMC application form
- MCQ Exam: Submit credentials, pay fees, and schedule your exam
- Clinical Exam: Apply after passing the MCQ exam
Step 6: Pay the applicable AMC exam fees
Step 7: Receive authorization via email
Step 8: Book your exam date and venue through Pearson VUE
AMC Exam Fees (2026)
Following benchmarking reviews, the AMC revised its fee structure. Current fees include:
- AMC Portfolio setup: AUD 642
- MCQ Exam registration: AUD 2,920
- In-person Clinical Exam: AUD 3,991
- Online Clinical Exam (if applicable): AUD 4,391 (includes levy)
- Workplace-Based Assessment: AUD 1,070
AMC Exam Dates 2026
In 2026, the AMC MCQ exam is expected to be held for approximately five days each month. While exact dates vary by location and availability, anticipated exam windows include:
- February 2026: Mid-February to mid-March
- April 2026: Early to mid-April
- May 2026: Mid-May
- June 2026: Mid to late June
- July 2026: Mid-July
- August 2026: Early to mid-August
Registration deadlines are typically one month before each exam window. Candidates should regularly check their AMC candidate portal for updated availability.
AMC Clinical Exam Dates 2026
Clinical exam sessions are scheduled periodically throughout the year, with limited slots available. Candidates are strongly advised to monitor the AMC website and candidate portal for the latest scheduling announcements.
Why Use CanadaQBank for AMC Exam Preparation?
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Benefits of CanadaQBank
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