‘Australia was never just about finding a job,’ says one of the Iranian doctors barred from taking a key Australian medical exam thanks to a US treasury directive.
For the past month, 286 Iranian doctors looking to sit an Australian medical exam have been left in limbo.
The doctors were set to take the Australian Medical Council’s multiple choice question exam in Türkiye in mid-September.
Just weeks beforehand, the US treasury issued a directive which prevented exam provider Pearson Professional Assessments from providing the exportation or importation of educational services to residents of Iran.
The AMC has not yet found a path forward.
Dr H was one of the doctors scheduled to sit those exams.
She spoke to The Medical Republic about how the trade embargo had affected her plans for the future. She requested that TMR not use her full name.
TMR: It’s been a few weeks since the exams were cancelled. How are you feeling?
Dr H: It has been a very difficult few weeks. At first, I felt really angry and upset. I was overwhelmed, disappointed, and deeply frustrated by how unfair everything seemed.
I also felt trapped, as though every path we tried to take towards a better future was gradually being closed off, one after another.
We were already dealing with difficult and upsetting events in Iran, and the AMC exam cancellation added another unexpected challenge to everything we were going through.
We worked hard, followed the available legal pathways, and invested a lot of time and savings in our plans. It’s discouraging when you do everything you’re supposed to do, but circumstances beyond your control can suddenly change everything.
After the initial frustration, I started asking myself what I could actually do next. I’ve been trying to focus more on everyday life and things I’d put aside while preparing for the exam.
I’m also trying to use this unexpected pause to focus more on research and explore academic opportunities.
I think one of the hardest parts is not knowing what to do next. Should we keep preparing, wait for another option, or start planning a completely different future?
I’m still hopeful that I’ll find a way forward, whether through clinical practice, research, or hopefully both.
TMR: Why is Australia where you want to practise?
Dr H: I’ve always been drawn to Australia’s welcoming, easygoing culture and multicultural society. I deeply respect values such as fairness, personal freedom, mutual respect, equality of opportunity, and giving everyone a fair go. These values genuinely matter to me.
For my spouse and me, Australia was never just about finding a job. We hoped to build our careers while also creating a stable life, hopefully growing our family, and becoming part of a community where we could feel a genuine sense of belonging.
My interest in emergency medicine was one of the main reasons I chose to study medicine in the first place. I’ve always been passionate about this field, and I hoped to continue working in emergency medicine or become a rural generalist in Australia. Knowing that doctors are needed, especially in rural and regional communities, I felt that my clinical experience could be a good match.
I also remember watching the Australian medical series All Saints when I was younger. It was one of my first introductions not only to Australia, but also to hospital life and emergency medicine. It’s a small personal memory, but one that has stayed with me over the years.
Medical education in Iran is quite rigorous, with strong clinical training and plenty of hands-on experience. I also know that many excellent Iranian-Australian doctors are making valuable contributions to Australia’s healthcare system. Their achievements have been a real inspiration to me and have encouraged me to pursue a similar path.
That’s why we chose to pursue Australia through two pathways: my spouse through skilled migration as a civil engineer, and me through medical registration.
Around the same time as my AMC exam, my spouse was also scheduled to retake his PTE English test to improve his score and increase our chances of receiving a skilled visa invitation. Unfortunately, his exam was cancelled too.
I sincerely hope that motivated doctors and other professionals will have a fair opportunity to demonstrate their abilities and make meaningful contributions to Australian society.
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TMR: Have you heard anything from the Australian Medical Council about rescheduling the exams with a provider other than Pearson?
Dr H: Unfortunately, I haven’t received any further updates from the AMC about rescheduling through another provider.
I do want to say that the AMC has been understanding and supportive of Iranian candidates in the past, particularly during the conflict and internet shutdowns in Iran. I really appreciated their support during those difficult times, and I hope the same understanding and communication will continue.
Some of my friends who were in a similar situation have started looking into obtaining residency in another country just to become eligible to sit the exam. Personally, I can’t afford to take such an expensive and complicated route.
As Iranians, we’re already dealing with so many difficulties and uncertainties at home. When we try to pursue opportunities abroad through legal pathways, we often face additional restrictions instead of the understanding and support we hope for. It feels like we’re facing obstacles both at home and abroad.
I’ve already achieved an overall [Pearson Test of English] Academic score of 88 out of 90, which took a lot of hard work. With these unexpected delays, I’m worried that my results may expire before I can move forward with medical registration. What’s even more frustrating is that, under the current restrictions, I can no longer retake the test. So I may end up losing a qualification I worked hard for, without having a way to renew it.
The AMC MCQ is also only the first step in a much longer medical registration process. Even after passing, finding a suitable supervised position can be challenging. I hope these pathways can become more efficient without compromising professional standards.
I understand that this situation may not be entirely within the AMC’s control. The suspension of General License G has created barriers that prevent candidates like me from sitting the exam simply because our primary residence is in Iran, regardless of our qualifications or how much effort we’ve put into preparing.
I sincerely hope the AMC can find a practical solution as soon as possible. But beyond that, I hope Australian institutions, professional communities, and people who believe in the values of fairness and giving everyone a fair go won’t remain silent about the impact of these restrictions.
I believe these values matter most when people face unfair barriers, and I hope this situation receives the attention and understanding it deserves.
We’re not asking for special treatment. We just hope for a fair opportunity to continue the pathway we’ve already invested so much in.
TMR: I know you spent a long time studying for the AMC exam. Can you tell me a little more about what went into your preparation?
Dr H: I work part-time in a hospital emergency department and full-time at an outpatient clinic. Preparing for the AMC MCQ meant studying while managing a busy work schedule.
The exam covers almost every major area of medicine. It’s not just about memorising facts. You need to understand Australian clinical guidelines and the approach to clinical decision-making expected of doctors working there.
Even after seven years of medical education, reviewing and updating such a broad range of knowledge took a lot of time and effort. The sample questions provided by the AMC were very helpful, but there was still a huge amount to study.
As the exam approached, I had to arrange cover for my responsibilities at work and cancel some hospital shifts. This meant additional expenses, lost income, and concerns about my job security.
Even securing an exam appointment was difficult. I was very relieved when I finally managed to book a seat in Istanbul. I chose Türkiye because it was possible to travel there by land if flights were disrupted.
I tried to prepare for different scenarios, but I never imagined that we wouldn’t be allowed to sit the exam at all.
We were informed that rescheduling wasn’t possible unless we could provide proof of residency outside Iran, and that a full refund would be provided. Unfortunately, we had already lost money on our flights and accommodation, as the cancellation came just two weeks before my confirmed exam date.
There’s also another difficulty for Iranian candidates. Since many of us don’t have direct access to international banking services, making examination payments and receiving refunds can be complicated and involve additional costs.
After nearly a year of preparation, financial investment, and professional sacrifices, losing the opportunity to sit the exam was deeply disappointing.
We had tried to prepare for almost everything, but this was something we never expected.
