Racial Discrimination Act

Legality of English test is in doubt

Parts of the English language requirements that IMGs must meet before they are allowed to practise may breach the Racial Discrimination Act, a Federal MP has claimed. Hasluck MP Ken Wyatt raised the concern during the first public hearing of the parliamentary inquiry into the registration and support of overseas trained doctors. At present, IMGs from non-English speaking countries must pass examinations testing their proficiency in the language. If they let their registration lapse for more than two years, they are required to re-sit the examination.  Mr Wyatt said it seemed unreasonable, and discriminatory, to re-examine ...