Posted January 29 2026
By Alasdair Spinner
New Specialties have been into the Expedited Specialist Pathway (ESP)!
The Medical Board of Australia (MBA) has just added two major specialties to the Expedited Specialist Pathway (ESP):
- General Medicine
- General Paediatrics
Remember, the ESP is already available for GP, Psychiatry, Anaesthesia, and Obstetrics & Gynaecology. If you’ve read my blog about the ESP you’ll know the introduction of it has been controversial to say the least. A number of the relevant medical colleges very publicly criticised the MBA and thestrategy around ESP introduction. While it offers a faster route, this new ESP is also independent of Royal Australasian College of Physicians.
Pros: It is a cheaper, faster and less hassle free route to starting work in Australia.
Cons: The ESP doesn’t automatically lead to the FRACP qualification. To gain Fellowship, you most likely still need to undergo a separate college assessment to RACP, after you start work.
Getting fellowship in this context (FRACP) is the full equivalence. It allows you to do locum and private work (with caveats).
So what are the qualification and training requirements?
General Medicine (UK Trained Only).
Currently, the ESP for General Medicine is restricted to UK-trained specialists (CCT , not CESR).
Core Requirements:
MRCP (UK)
CCT in General Internal Medicine
Eligible Training Timelines:
Aug 2007 – Present: Stand-alone General Internal Medicine (JRCPTB GIM / IM Stage 1 & 2).
Aug 2009 – Present: Dual Training in GIM + Acute Internal Medicine.
Aug 2019 – Present: GIM within an approved Dual CCT pairing.
Please note:This pathway is for General Medicine only. If you intend to also practice in a sub-specialty (e.g., Cardiology, Geriatrics), you must use the traditional RACP Specialist Recognition route for the sub-specialty.
General Paediatrics (UK & Ireland)
Unlike General Medicine, the General Paediatrics ESP is open to both UK and Irish-trained specialists.
Specialists trained in Ireland.
MRCPI in Paediatrics (July 2010 or later).
CSCST in Paediatrics.
Specialist Training (SAT) under the RCPI Faculty of Paediatrics.
Specialists trained in the UK.
MRCPCH (August 2007 or later).
CCT in Paediatrics (issued by PMETB pre-2010 or GMC post-2010).
Completion of any recognized RCPCH curriculum.
All General Paediatric specialists must also demonstrate recent experience in general paeds, a valid Advanced Paediatric Life Support (APLS) certification and completion of an Australian child protection course.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us at alasdair@spinnermedical.com or call +447414531583
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