Hi all this is a new post to share information about and discuss about the Area of Need Pathway (AONP) to Australia. I will share all the information I have on the AONP. This is information I have and may not be a 100% accurate. Feel free to add, comment or question! Lets us discuss and clarify all our doubts on the AONP. The AONP is for those doctors who have a minimum of 2 years of experience in India or 1 year in the U.K. ie post internship experience By definition they will send you where they have a shortage, hence area of need!!! Don't expect to land up immediately in a major city!!! You are usually granted a visa of one year at a time, extendable to upto a maximum of four years. During the four years to progress further you must pass the AMC exam (both parts) and then take up one year of supervised training before you become eligible for full registration. Once you have full registration you are free to pursue your career anywhere in Australia If your training post is at the Registrar/ PHO level then you can apply for exemption to the one year supervised training, after passing the AMC. No guarantees on exemption. After completing two years in the AONP you are eligible to enter the GP program, Advantages: . You are working as a clinical doctor while preparing for your AMC. You are therefore gaining Australian experience, i guess this will be better than having no Australian experience when competing for jobs. You are of course being paid and therefore not being a burden to anyone back home. Since you know more about the Australian system, it will be an advantage in the clinical exams Disadvantages: You are in the AON which may be a rural inaccesible area Hospitals may be so short that they promise you the moon but you maybe in for a shocker when you actually get there Feel free to add anymore information to what I have added. Cheers
