Pre-Employment Structured Clinical Interview
The Medical Board of Australia (MBA) may require a Pre-Employment Structured Clinical Interview (PESCI) to be completed as a pre-registration requirement for International Medical Graduates (IMG) applying for registration via the Standard or Competent Authority Pathways. The Board also reserves the right to request the undertaking of a PESCI for any other position.
Purpose of the PESCI
The interview is intended to establish whether an IMG has the clinical knowledge, skills and experience to practice safely and effectively in the designated position in the community. For example, an applicant’s clinical knowledge and abilities may be suitable for a position in a group general practice in an urban setting, but unsuitable for independent practice providing after hours services.

Since it is clinical assessment tool, several clinical scenarios are presented during the Interview, and the IMG is be required to demonstrate his/her knowledge of clinical symptoms and signs, investigations, investigation results, differential diagnosis, appropriate treatment (including prescribing medications) and describe the likely outcomes.
Structure of the interview
The interview panel will consist of three people. The interview takes approximately 90 minutes and will include question-and-answer sections and discussions based on various clinical/patient scenarios. The interview is likely to assess your capacity in each of the following areas, as appropriate to your proposed position:
  • medical interviewing skills
  • physical examination skills
  • clinical judgement
  • treatment/advice
  • communication skills
  • professionalism
  • procedural skills
  • familiarity with relevant social and cultural issues and Australian language idioms
When is a PESCI scheduled?
For initial applicants, a PESCI is arranged after a provisional offer of employment, and before the process for applying for registration can commence.

A PESCI is not required for IMGs continuing their current registration with MBA, and remaining in the same role/location or if continuing in the same role at a new location. However, currently registered IMGs wanting to transfer to a new position may be required to participate in a PESCI if the new position is substantively different to their current position, and presents a higher risk or significant transition, such as:
  • in a completely different discipline (eg Psychiatry to Surgery)
  • at a much higher level with more responsibility (eg RMO to Senior Registrar)
  • from a hospital or health service position to a GP position
  • in a significantly different location (eg outer metro GP to rural/remote GP)