From PLAB to Australia

Where you stand, in three cases

• You passed PLAB 1 only: you take the standard pathway — the AMC MCQ exam. Your PLAB 1 preparation is a strong base; the new work is Australian guidelines and practice.
• You passed PLAB 1 and 2 but have not worked in the UK: still the standard pathway. But your PLAB pass is accepted as evidence of English for Australian registration — check that it is recent enough.
• You passed PLAB and completed Foundation Year 1, or 12 months of supervised training, in the UK: you may be eligible for the Competent Authority pathway. No AMC exams — you secure an approved position in Australia and complete 12 months of supervised practice (at least 47 weeks full-time equivalent) before general registration.

What carries over from PLAB to AMC Part 1

Both are clinical single-best-answer exams, so your question-reading skills carry over directly. What changes is the reference point: the AMC expects Australian practice — Australian guidelines, prescribing, screening and public health — where PLAB expected NICE and the NHS.

English: the part you may already have

• IELTS Academic: 7 overall, with 7 in listening, reading and speaking and 6.5 in writing (tests taken on or after 23 April 2026).
• OET: listening 350, reading 360, writing 350, speaking 360.
• PTE Academic and TOEFL iBT are also accepted — check Ahpra for the current scores.
• A pass in the PLAB test (UK) or NZREX (New Zealand) is also accepted as evidence of English.
• Results are valid for two years before the date you apply for registration.

Questions

Can I skip the AMC exam with PLAB?

Only if you also completed Foundation Year 1 or 12 months of supervised training in the UK. That makes you eligible for the Competent Authority pathway. PLAB alone does not.

Is AMC harder than PLAB?

They test different things. The AMC is computer-adaptive and tests Australian practice; PLAB tests UK practice. Doctors who passed PLAB usually find the question style familiar and the Australian specifics the main new work.

Does PLAB count for Australian English requirements?

Yes — the Medical Board of Australia accepts a pass in the PLAB test as evidence of English language skills. Check Ahpra for how recent it must be.

Official sources

• Medical Board of Australia — Competent Authority pathway
• Ahpra — Accepted English language tests
• Australian Medical Council — MCQ examination

Rules change. Always confirm with the Australian Medical Council and the Medical Board of Australia before you book or apply. DuoVa is an independent study tool and is not affiliated with either.

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