Psychiatrists diagnose, assess, treat, and prevent human mental, emotional and behaviourial disorders.

Skill Level

1

Specialisations

• Adolescent Psychiatrist
• Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
• Child Psychiatrist
• Forensic Psychiatrist
• Geriatric Psychiatrist
• Medical Psychotherapist

Unless you are exempt in very limited circumstances, you are required to have a positive Skills Assessment to apply for the visas listed above.

Skills Assessment authority for Psychiatrist is Medical Board of Australia (MedBA). To have a positive skills assessment, you must meet the following criteria:

• Three pathways for skills assessment
  • Competent Authority Pathway – for overseas trained non-specialists AND specialists including general practitioners
    • International Medical Graduates (IMGs) must have completed both the assessment and experience components of the medical course
    • IMGs must have secured an offer of employment prior to applying for this pathway
    • IMGs must have either an approved qualification or undergo an assessment of competency conducted by an approved body
    • Must successfully completed 12 months of supervised practice in an approved position
  • Standard Pathway – for IMGs seeking general registration
    • Must have a primary qualification in medicine recognised by the Australian Medical Council and World Directory of Medical Schools
    • Two types of Standard Pathway
      • AMC Examination – assessment of competency and skill by examination
      • Workplace-based Assessment – assessment by examination and workplace-based assessment of clinical skills and knowledge by an AMC credited authority
    • Must successfully completed 12 months of supervised practice in an approved position
  • Specialist Pathway – for Overseas-trained specialists applying for assessment that is comparable to a trained speciality in Australia (specialist registration) OR overseas-trained specialists applying for an area of need specialist level position in Australia (area of need)
    • Must have a primary qualification in medicine recognised by the Australian Medical Council and World Directory of Medical Schools AND must have satisfied all training and examination requirement to practice in their field of speciality
    • Please note if you currently hold or have previously held general registration you are not eligible for the specialist pathway. You can complete specialist registration while holding general registration through a different process.
    • Two types of Specialist Pathway
      • Specialist Recognition
        • IMG applies directly to specialist medical college for the assessment of competency in the area of specialty
        • Outcome of the specialist medical college assessment determines the registration type
        • Required to undertake a period of supervised practice
      • Area of Need
        • IMG applies directly to specialist medical college for the assessment of skills against a position in an area of need
        • Area of need is determined by the health authority of a particular state or territory
        • This pathway does not result in specialist registration

Diagnose, assess, treat and prevent human mental, emotional and behavioural disorders. Psychiatric Registrars training as Psychiatrists are included in this unit group.

Tasks

• Assessing patients’ mental and physical status to determine the nature and extent of mental, emotional and behavioural disorders
• Assessing patients’ medical, psychiatric and psychological histories
• Examining patients to determine general physical condition
• Ordering laboratory tests, imaging, neuropsychological tests and other diagnostic procedures
• Examining the results of tests and examinations to determine the most appropriate forms of treatment
• Prescribing and administering medication, psychotherapy, and other physical treatments and rehabilitation programs
• Arranging admission to hospitals and providing in-patient treatment
• Consulting, supervising and working with other Medical Practitioners and Health Professionals
• Determining whether patients require involuntary treatment in accordance with relevant mental health acts
• Assisting courts and other statutory bodies in managing patients in legal and forensic settings
• Teaching medical students and registrars, and assessing their progress by administering tests

Skill Level

Occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher qualification, two years hospital-based training, and at least five years specialist study and training (ANZSCO Skill Level 1).

Registration or licensing is required.

Occupations in this Group

• 253411 Psychiatrist