Australia’s WBA Program: Getting Registered Through Real Clinical Work

When IMGs without specialist qualifications wish to practise clinically in Australia, they must first complete what’s called the Standard Pathway to register with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

This pathway generally requires passing three major exams:

English language test – IELTS, OET, TOEFL, or PTE
AMC MCQ – the Australian Medical Council multiple-choice exam
AMC Clinical – the clinical skills assessment

Among these, the AMC Clinical Examination is known for its low pass rate and lengthy preparation period.

Because it’s a performance-based practical exam, many candidates find it difficult to predict success even after extensive study.

An alternative to this route is the WBA (Workplace-Based Assessment) program.

n this article, we’ll explain what the WBA is, how it works, and who it’s suitable for.

What Is the WBA?

Unlike the AMC Clinical Examination, the WBA allows candidates to demonstrate their clinical and communication skills while actually working in a supervised hospital position.

It’s best understood as a kind of probationary training period, during which performance is assessed in real-life settings.

The program usually lasts about 12 months.

At the end of this period, your supervisors evaluate your clinical competence, communication, and professionalism.

If you meet the required standards, you can proceed to full medical registration.

Key Advantages

You gain local clinical experience and build professional connections.
Your skills are evaluated over time, not in a single test day.
High pass rate (often reported as above 90%).
You receive a salary during the assessment period.

(Reference: Medical Jobs WA – Mercury eRecruit)

Eligibility Requirements

To apply for the WBA, candidates must:

Have passed the AMC MCQ Examination
Hold Limited Registration granted by the Medical Board of Australia
Secure a clinical position at an AMC-accredited WBA provider hospital

Having a clinical position means you must go through the standard recruitment process—submit your CV, attend interviews, and receive a job offer.

This requires careful preparation of your resume and interview strategy. Since WBA positions are limited, securing one also depends on timing and a bit of luck.

Accredited WBA Hospitals

The WBA can only be conducted at hospitals approved by the AMC.

A full list of accredited providers is available here:
➡️ WBA Providers – AMC

You’ll need to contact each hospital’s WBA coordinator directly.
It’s common not to receive replies, so persistence and a broad search strategy are recommended.

If you are already working in Australia at a hospital not yet recognised as a WBA provider, it’s sometimes possible for that hospital to apply for provider status through the AMC.
In that case, speak with your hospital’s HR or medical education office.

(Reference: AMC Contact Form)

How to Apply for the WBA

Before applying, you must already:

Pass the AMC MCQ Examination, and
Hold Limited Registration with the Medical Board of Australia.

Since Limited Registration depends on having an employer, your English language results are the first step toward eligibility.

Here’s a simplified summary of the WBA process:

Pass an approved English test (IELTS/OET/TOEFL/PTE)
Pass the AMC MCQ Examination
Contact WBA-accredited hospitals and apply for employment (CV + interview)
Apply to the AMC for entry into the WBA program

Although you can technically take the AMC MCQ first, it’s usually more efficient to build English proficiency early, as it helps in both exams and interviews.

Both the English tests and the AMC MCQ can be taken in your home country, making it feasible to plan long-term preparation while still employed domestically.

Summary

The WBA is a program that evaluates your clinical and communication skills through real work experience rather than a one-day exam.

Benefits

Learn essential workplace skills while practising clinically
Build local professional networks
Receive ongoing, holistic evaluation
Earn a salary during the process

However, because the WBA has become increasingly popular, finding an available provider hospital is becoming more difficult, especially in urban centres where waiting lists exist.

Depending on your timeline, it may still be faster to prepare for and sit the AMC Clinical Examination directly.

Both paths—WBA and AMC Clinical—offer valid routes to registration, so your choice should depend on your timeline, strengths, and access to opportunities.

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Registration & Pathways