Your interview

Once we’ve assessed your application, we’ll send you an email with the next available interview dates. You must accept one of these interview dates within five business days of the date of our email, or your application will be cancelled, and you’ll lose the full interview fee. Once you’ve accepted a date, we’ll send you a confirmation email within two business days.  

You may request a different interview date if there are extenuating circumstances that prevent you from attending on the dates offered to you. We consider these requests on a case-by-case basis. Please be aware that there are limited interview dates available.  

If you wish to request a different interview date, please email us at [email protected] 
 

Rescheduling your interview  

You may request your confirmed interview be rescheduled to another date. Your request must be received at least 20 business days before your confirmed interview date, except in the case of extenuating and unforeseen circumstances. We consider these requests on a case-by-case basis. A non-refundable administration fee of $450 may apply to have your interview rescheduled; please refer to the section ‘Withdrawal and refunds’. 

If you wish to reschedule your interview, please email [email protected].

The interview will be conducted online using Zoom videoconferencing.  

What you need for the interview:  

• Your own computer or laptop with a webcam and audio (don’t use a mobile phone as it may not provide the necessary Zoom functionality).  
• A stable internet connection. 
• Zoom on your computer or laptop. Download Zoom if you don’t already have the application installed. We recommend you spend time becoming familiar with how to use Zoom before your interview.  
• An alternative way to access the internet and log in to the interview in case you have technical issues on the day. 
• A location that is private and quiet. 

On interview day: 

• Check your internet connection and speed and equipment well before the interview is due to start. 
• Log in, using the link we send you in your confirmation email, at least 20 minutes before the interview is scheduled to start, so that you have time to resolve any technical issues beforehand. 
• ​If you have technical issues once the interview begins, the panel will allow you 10 minutes to resolve the issue, and if you can’t resolve it, the chair of the panel may decide to end or reschedule the interview. This decision will be made according to your circumstances. If the interview needs to be rescheduled, a fee may apply. 

For more information, please refer to the PESCI Applicant technical guide.

The interview panel will have three members. At least two will be experienced GPs and Fellows of the RACGP. The panel members may not work in the same state as the practice where you have applied to work. 

The panel will consider your application and then use tailored questions and scenarios to assess your knowledge, clinical experience, skills and attributes, against the requirements and risks of the specific position for which you’re seeking registration. They’ll consider whether the level of support and supervision offered will allow you to practise safely and effectively in the position. 

There will be five scenarios based on the types of patient presentations you can expect to encounter in general practice in Australia. You’ll have three minutes reading time for each scenario and then ten minutes to answer a series of questions based on the patient presentation. You may be given additional information during the questioning.  

Scenarios may be in a rural or urban setting and may include managing health problems for Indigenous Australians.  

In addition, the panel will ask you some general questions about your experience and your expectations of practising in Australia. 

The panel isn’t able to provide feedback on your performance during the interview.  

Conflict of interest 

All panel members are given the names of applicants who they will be assessing. They must notify the RACGP if their participation in the panel may result in an actual, potential or perceived conflict of interest, as per the Conflicts of Interest Guidance.

A conflict of interest can include or relate to, but isn’t limited to: 

• financial and commercial interests, including connections/employment to a commercial exam preparation organisation 
• external employer–employee relationships 
• family connections and kinship 
• receiving gifts or benefits 
• friendships 
• membership of an association, society, company, union or trusteeship 
• professional relationships and collaborations 
• domestic relationships 
• intellectual property. 

Interview confidentiality

All PESCI assessment materials are confidential. The PESCI questions and cases must remain confidential and not be disclosed after the interview.

By applying for a PESCI, you agree that you will not disclose confidential assessment materials to peers, colleagues, external groups, companies or entities, or on any social media platform.

Breaches of confidentiality will be investigated in line with the Academic Misconduct Policy.

We’ll email your PESCI outcome report to you within 15 business days and we’ll also send a copy to the MBA.

There are two possible outcomes: you are suitable for the position or unsuitable for the position. If you are unsuitable for the position, you can submit a new application for a PESCI at any time.

Your PESCI outcome is valid for 12 calendar months from the date of the report. No extension will be granted to the validity period of your PESCI outcome.

If there are any changes to your position after receiving your report (eg change of supervisor or working hours), you must discuss these with AHPRA.

If you disagree with the outcome of your PESCI, you can apply for reconsideration as per the Dispute, Reconsideration and Appeals Policy.