The IMG Clinical Readiness Program (ICRP) is a program that gives International Medical Graduates (IMGs) the opportunity to gain experience in NSW public hospitals as part of the medical team. The program is designed to provide an orientation to the NSW Health system and experience in a clinical setting under medical supervision.
The program will start on 2 March 2026 and run for 12 weeks, concluding on 22 May 2026.
Applications for the 2026 ICRP Program open on 20 October 2025 and close on 2 November 2025. Applications must be submitted electronically via the link provided on the ICRP homepage.
An online information session will be held on 15 October 2025. To register your interest, send an email to MOH-ICRP@health.nsw.gov.au.
A meeting invite will be sent with a video conference link.
Successful candidates will attend five days of intensive orientation training in Sydney from 2-6 March 2026. There will be a further 4-5 days of orientation training at the Local Health District/Specialty Network from 9-13 March 2026. Following the orientation, there will be 10 weeks of supervised clinical practice, which will include participation in ward rounds, taking clinical histories, and undertaking basic clinical exams and procedures from 16 March to 22 May 2026.
You will not require medical registration to participate in the program. The ICRP is a program that assists IMGs who have not previously worked as a doctor and do not have an offer of employment to work as a doctor in Australia.
Employment is not guaranteed on completion of the program. At the end of the 12-week program, participants should have gained an understanding of the Australian healthcare system, necessary clinical experience in a NSW public health facility and have a NSW Health reference to help with future medical officer job applications.
Medical Support Officers (MSOs) are International Medical Graduates (IMGs) who have been selected to participate in the IMG Clinical Readiness Program (ICRP).
No. The MSO role is unpaid and voluntary as part of the IMG Clinical Readiness Program (ICRP).
No. The MSO role does not require registration with Ahpra, as such, the MSO will not be considered a doctor in the position, nor can an MSO call themselves a doctor.
Candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria before applying:
Please read the information on IMG Clinical Readiness Program – How to apply for tips on successfully applying to this program.
Yes. The interview will be conducted virtually.
All applications will be assessed and candidates will be notified by email if they have progressed to the interview stage.
The interviews will be conducted through an interviewing platform by a combination of pre-recorded interview questions and written tasks. Candidates will be required to provide details of two professional referees before they proceed to interview. Candidates will then be directed to the interview portal to complete the interview, which consists of a combination of video-recorded and written responses within a set time limit.
Candidates who have progressed to the interview stage will be required to provide contact details, including work emails and phone numbers, of two professional referees. Referees will be contacted by email to complete a report. Candidates will not be able to progress unless both referee reports have been completed by 30 November 2025.
The interview platform will be open on 13 and 14 November 2025.
Candidates must successfully complete 3 stages of the selection process:
If all the checks are cleared, candidates will be advised they have been selected into the program and will be provided with a formal offer and contract to sign.
There will be an opportunity to preference a location during the interview stage; however, there is no guarantee that candidates can be matched to their preferred location.
Candidates must be prepared to relocate to a regional location to participate in ICRP.
NSW Health is not able to support family relocations for the 12-week program. If you would like your family to join you, you will need to organise and cover the costs yourself.
You might need to move to a rural or regional town in NSW for your placement. Sometimes the Local Health District can help with finding a place to stay or they may be able to offer some financial assistance to help with the cost of moving to regional areas. There is no funding available to candidates allocated to metro hospitals. You must be prepared to pay for your own relocation costs upfront and apply for funding to your local health district. You must also keep and submit all receipts as evidence of the cost of relocation.
Locations are still under consideration and will be made available as soon as possible.
If you are unable to take up your allocated placement, NSW Health will continue offering positions to other successful candidates. Any remaining vacancies will then be offered to people on the eligibility list.
MSOs are not registered medical practitioners in Australia therefore, they cannot be referred to as doctors and their scope of practice will be limited. MSOs will work under supervision and assist in clinical tasks, including but not limited to:
MSOs are not registered medical practitioners in Australia; therefore, they cannot refer to themselves as doctors and must not:
MSOs will undertake 40 hours per week during business hours. MSOs are not expected to routinely undertake clinical placements outside of business hours (unless part of the emergency department) and are not permitted to participate in any night shifts.
As an opportunity to gain experience in common after-hours problems, MSOs may be scheduled onto buddied after-hours shifts on evenings or weekends (these can be substituted in place of a regular weekday shift). Alternate shift arrangements must be signed off by the relevant supervisor/Director of Training.
MSOs will be supernumerary to the team. They will be working under the supervision of the medical staff on that team, and are expected to adhere to the scope of practice and to all NSW Health and LHD policies.
Each site has a Director of Training to support the MSO’s placement, assist with education and mentoring, and organise the site orientation and 10-week education program.
On satisfactory completion of the placement, the MSO will receive a structured performance development plan (PDP) to support future learning goals.
Successful candidates will also receive a Certificate of Completion.
Attendance during the placement is an important component of the success of the placement.
Please contact MOH-ICRP@health.nsw.gov.au should you have any further questions.