Medical education in Australia involves a multi-stage process to train medical practitioners, beginning with medical school, followed by pre-vocational training including Internship and Residency. This progresses into specialist-vocational training as a Registrar, culminating in a fellowship qualification to become a fully qualified Specialist Medical Practitioner, such as a General Practitioner (GP) or Consultant. The entire system is regulated by the Australian Medical Council and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Unlike the US, Australian Internship and Residency are distinct pre-vocational terms designed for junior doctors to gain broad clinical experience before committing to a specific specialty. This extensive journey from medical school to specialist qualification typically takes between 9 and 16 years or more, with most practitioners pursuing specialist careers, while GPs serve as primary care physicians who often refer patients to Consultants for expert, specialized care.