Australian Medical Council: a view from the inside

Although it has an important role in maintaining medical standards, little is known about the work of the Australian Medical Council (AMC) by members of the medical profession. A non-statutory standards authority, the AMC acc redits medical schools in Australia and New Zealand, examines overseastrain ed doctors for registration purposes and advises Medical Boards and Health Ministers on registration issues. The AMC, in consultation with Specialist Medical Colleges and others, is currently working on a number of initiative s to ensure standards of medical training and practice, including procedure s to recognize new specialties and to accredit externally specialist educat ion and training courses.