Substantial Comparability Pathway

Please note: The Substantial Comparability Pathway is currently closed in Australia. It is unclear when the Substantial Comparability Pathway in Australia will re-open. If approved by the relevant College bodies, significant modification of Phase I is required before Phase II can be introduced. It is worth regularly checking this web page for updates on the re-opening of the pathway.

If working in Australia, you are encouraged to apply for the Specialist Pathway and when the Substantial Comparability Pathway re-opens, you will be able to transfer at that stage if you wish.

The Substantial Comparability Pathway is an assessment pathway to RANZCP Fellowship, open to Specialist International Medical Graduates holding one of the Specialist qualifications deemed Substantially Comparable (see below) and able to meet all the Substantial Comparability eligibility criteria (also listed below).

The forms of assessment during the Substantial Comparability placement period are three (3) Supervisor Reports; three (3) Case based Discussions (CBDs) and a 360° Feedback assessment. These are to be completed at specified intervals during the placement. Please see the Handbook for Workplace based Assessments below for further details.

The implementation of the Substantial Comparability Pathway will be completed in two phases. See below for details.

Flowchart of Substantial Comparability process
 

Opening of Substantial Comparability Pathway in New Zealand – Phase IC

The Committee for Specialist International Medical Graduate Education (CSIMGE) is provisionally announcing the opening of a Substantial Comparability Pathway package (Phase IC) on Monday 3 June 2013 for all New Zealand Specialist International Medical Graduates.
 
Please note: the New Zealand Substantial Comparability package will only go ahead once the Board of Education and General Council approve its implementation.
 
Phase IC will be available to New Zealand Specialist International Medical Graduates who meet all four eligibility criteria below and who hold one of the four specialist qualifications currently considered Substantially Comparable, also listed below.
 
The pathway will open for ten eligible applicants initially.
 
The first ten applicants who meet all four eligibility criteria, including one of the four qualifications considered Substantially Comparable, and submit all documents listed below, will be accepted for review by the CSIMGE.
 
New Zealand Specialist International Medical Graduates who are interested in applying will be required to submit the following:
 

• Covering letter - should include a brief overview of current professional activity;
•  Application Form (Form A2) - see under 'To apply' below;
•  payment of Application fee;
•  Up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (in RANZCP CV template only) - template available on 'Forms & Documents' web page;
•  Names and contact details (including email addresses) of three (3) current referees to confirm clinical expertise;
•  Certified copies of certificates of Primary Qualifications (e.g. MBBS);
•  Certified copies of certificates of Specialist Qualifications (e.g. MRC Psych + CCT);
• Employer Support letter - must supply period of time of employment, support of the Employer for the entire Substantial Comparability placement period and support for all the Workplace based Assessments;
•  Position/Job Description from employing Health Service;
• Certified Certificate of Good Standing/Certificate of Registration Status from New Zealand Medical Board for most recent two year period;
•  A statement regarding work performance from each hospital/training scheme or practice at which you have been employed at during the last two years - the statement needs to be a signed original on letterhead;
• CPD statement from time specialist qualification/s was obtained;
•  Copy of Supervisor’s Accreditation Certificate.

 Those interested should not start submitting applications for Phase IC until 3 June 2013.
 

Re-opening of Phase I (Phase IB) - now closed

Phase IB has now closed as 18 complete applications, which meet the four Substantial Comparability eligibility criteria below, have been received. 

The next possible opportunity to apply for the Substantial Comparability Pathway will probably be in Phase II.  Please see 'Phase II' below.
 

Assessor training

• Fellowship of the RANZCP for a minimum of three years – this should include one year post-Fellowship and the rest may be made up with appropriate prior experience as a Consultant taking into account experience in supervision in training and assessment;

• An interest in and previous experience in supporting Specialist International Medical Graduate Psychiatrists.

Expressions of interest will be reviewed by the Committee for Specialist International Medical Graduate Education (CSIMGE).

Assessor Role Description

Phase IA

Phase I of the Substantial Comparability Pathway for Specialist International Medical Graduates was implemented by the College on 1 July 2011. 

It is anticipated that the number of applications selected for Phase I of the process will be limited to the first 20 (approx) applications received that meet the below eligibility criteria and have a nominated Supervisor who has completed the required training, as well as employer support at the time of application.

For Existing Exemptions Candidates, the Committee for Specialist International Medical Graduate Education (CSIMGE) will assess the Substantial Comparability Pathway applications at their monthly meetings. 

New applicants will be assessed by the relevant State Assessment Panel, following a similar assessment process to that of the Specialist Pathway/Area of Need Assessment.

Substantial Comparability Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the Substantial Comparability Pathway applicants must:
 

• Hold a qualification that has been identified by the College as acceptable for the pathway (see below);
• Hold current medical registration in Australia or New Zealand (or able to be registered at the time of starting the pathway for new applicants to the Specialist Assessment process);
• Have confirmed employment in a position as a Specialist Psychiatrist within Australia or New Zealand for the required placement period (this may or may not be in an Area of Need position);
• Nominate a Supervisor who has completed the RANZCP Substantial Comparability Supervisor training.

Qualifications

In Phase I, Specialist International Medical Graduates who hold one of the following qualifications and who can demonstrate currency of good standing as a Medical Practitioner shall be eligible to be assessed as Substantially Comparable:

• MRCPsych with Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT)/Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training (CCST) -training must have been completed in the UK or Ireland.
• Membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists UK (MRCPsych) prior to 01/01/97 – training must have been completed in the UK or Ireland.
• Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons Canada (FRCPC) Certification in Psychiatry.
• United States Board Certification in Psychiatry (ABPN).

Workplace based Assessments (WBAs)

Information regarding the Workplace based Assessments to be completed during the Substantial Comparability Pathway is available in the Handbook for Workplace Based Assessments.
 

Workplace based Assessment tools

Supervisor Report Form

Supervisor & Employer Declaration Form

Case based Discussion Rating Form

Case based Discussion Final Assessment Form

Case based Discussion Incident Report Form - for Substantial Comparability candidates, Supervisors or Assessors to report any concerning incidents they may have with a Case based Discussion

360 Feedback Instructions

360 Feedback Form A (co-workers, colleagues & community contacts to complete)

360 Feedback Form B (patients/family/carers to complete)

360 Feedback Form C (Substantial Comparability candidate to complete self-assessment) 

To apply

As with Specialist Pathway assessment, new applicants who are applying for the Substantial Comparability Pathway are first required to submit an application to the Australian Medical Council (AMC). Please contact the AMC directly or go to their website, http://www.amc.org.au/, for more information.

Please note: If you do not intend to practice in Australia or if you hold unconditional Medical Registration in Australia, please click here.

To apply please download and complete the Application Form A2, which includes the fee payable. Please note that the Substantial Comparability Pathway is currently closed.

 

Application closing dates

For new applicants, please review the State Assessment Panel Assessment Dates document.

For Existing Exemption Candidates, please review the Committee Assessment Dates document.

Following the State Assessment Panel assessment, all new applicants are required to have their applications for the Substantial Comparability Pathway reviewed by the Committee for Specialist IMG Education for final approval.
 

Fees

New applicants will be required to pay the Application fee of $4,750 and if accepted onto the Substantial Comparability placement, will then be required to pay the Substantial Comparability Placement fee of $8,850.

Existing Exemptions Candidates will not be required to pay the Application fee, just the Placement fee, should they be accepted on the Substantial Comparability Pathway to Fellowship.
 

Placement commencement

The Substantial Comparability placement will commence on the relevant commencement date following successful processing of the Placement fee. Should there be an issue with processing payment of the Placement fee, then the Substantial Comparability commencement date may be delayed to the commencement date after.

Please refer to the Refund Schedule should you wish to withdraw your application or placement.
 

Supporting documentation

New Applicants

In addition to the Application Form A2 and the Application fee payable, new applicants are required to submit all relevant supporting documentation.

Please see the last page of the Application Form A2 for a checklist of the documents that will need to be provided (first column of checklist).

Please also refer to the New Applicant Handbook for guidance in completing the Application Form A2.

 

Existing Exemptions Candidates

Existing Exemptions Candidates are required to submit the following documents when applying for the Substantial Comparability Pathway:

• Covering letter - should include a brief overview of current professional activity;
• Substantial Comparability Application Form A2;
• Updated Curriculum Vitae - particularly outlining progressions since entry onto Specialist Pathway;
• EICS Verification Certificates for Primary and Specialist Qualifications;
• Position Description;
• Name and contact details of three current referees;
• Certificate of Good Standing/state or territory Certificate of Registration Status - from the relevant medical board for most recent two (2) year period;
• Support letter from employer - including Supervisor support and must supply the period of time of employment, support of the employer for the entire Substantial Comparability placement period and support for all the Workplace based Assessments. Should be signed and on letterhead;
• A statement regarding work performance - from each hospital/training scheme or practice at which they have been employed at during the last two (2) years. Should be signed and on letterhead;
• CPD statement from time specialist qualification/s was obtained;
• Copy of Supervisor's Accreditation Certificate.

Phase II

Phase II may be implemented after the evaluation of Phase I and the associated assessments, and refinement to the pathway is completed.

In Phase II, additional qualifications/training programs will be assessed for comparability and the list of eligible candidates may be broadened as a result.  

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

For further information please review the FAQs document. 

Please contact the College staff member below if you have any queries:

Areti Tsesmelis
Administrative Officer, Assessments
Telephone: +61 3 9601 4974
Email: comparability@ranzcp.org