Since early September, 286 Iranian medical professionals have faced uncertainty after their planned Australian Medical Council (AMC) exam in Türkiye was disrupted. Scheduled for mid-month, the test was canceled when the U.S. Treasury imposed restrictions on Pearson Professional Assessments, blocking the company from delivering educational services to Iranian residents. The directive, issued weeks before the exam, left candidates—including those who had prepared extensively—unable to proceed with their registration plans.
The Australian Medical Council has not yet found a path forward. One of the doctors scheduled to sit the exam, Dr H, spoke about how the trade embargo had affected her plans for the future. She requested that her full name not be used. Dr H expressed feelings of anger, upset, and frustration, saying that every path she tried to take towards a better future was gradually being closed off.
Dr H had been drawn to Australia’s welcoming culture and multicultural society, and she deeply respected values such as fairness and personal freedom. She had hoped to build her career in emergency medicine and create a stable life in Australia. However, the cancellation of the exam has left her unsure of what to do next. She is trying to focus on everyday life and explore academic opportunities, but the uncertainty is taking a toll.
Dr H’s spouse was also affected by the US treasury directive, as his PTE English test was cancelled. The couple had been pursuing two pathways to Australia: Dr H through medical registration and her spouse through skilled migration as a civil engineer.
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The Australian Medical Council has been understanding and supportive of Iranian candidates in the past, but Dr H has not received any further updates on rescheduling the exams. Some of her friends have started looking into obtaining residency in another country to become eligible to sit the exam, but Dr H cannot afford to take this route. She hopes that the AMC can find a practical solution as soon as possible and that Australian institutions will speak out about the impact of these restrictions.
The Impact on Iranian Doctors
Dr H is not alone in her struggles. Many Iranian doctors have invested significant time and money into preparing for the AMC exam, only to have their plans disrupted by the US treasury directive. The suspension of General License G has created barriers that prevent candidates like Dr H from sitting the exam simply because their primary residence is in Iran, regardless of their qualifications or effort.
Dr H believes that the values of fairness and giving everyone a fair go are essential, especially when people face unfair barriers. She hopes that Australian institutions and professional communities will speak out about the impact of these restrictions and provide support to Iranian doctors who are trying to pursue their careers in Australia.
Dr H’s preparation for the AMC exam was extensive, involving studying while managing a busy work schedule. She worked part-time in a hospital emergency department and full-time at an outpatient clinic, and she had to arrange cover for her responsibilities at work and cancel some hospital shifts to prepare for the exam. The cancellation of the exam has been deeply disappointing, and Dr H is worried about the future of her career.
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The exam covers almost every major area of medicine, and Dr H had to review and update her knowledge of Australian clinical guidelines and the approach to clinical decision-making expected of doctors working in Australia. She had also secured an exam appointment in Istanbul, but the cancellation of the exam has left her with significant expenses and lost income.
Seeking a Solution
She believes that the values of fairness and giving everyone a fair go are essential, and that Iranian doctors should have a fair opportunity to demonstrate their abilities and make meaningful contributions to Australian society.
As Dr H waits for a solution, she is trying to stay positive and focus on her research and academic opportunities. She is also trying to use this unexpected pause to explore other options and find a way forward. However, the uncertainty and lack of clarity are taking a toll, and Dr H is worried about the future of her career. She had achieved an overall Pearson Test of English Academic score of 88 out of 90, which took a lot of hard work, and she is concerned that her results may expire before she can move forward with medical registration.
The doctor is worried about the future of their career, having invested significant time and money into preparing for the AMC exam.
