What are the different levels of supervision?

This is a FAQ BLOG and you can refer to our AHPRA blog here.

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Date Updated: 2026-02-10

When is supervision required?

The supervision requirement depends on your AHPRA registration.

You are required to be supervised if you have been granted Limited or Provisional Registration with AHPRA because you need to complete a minimum of 47 weeks (FTE) of supervised practice in Australia, excluding periods of leave. If you have General AHPRA Registration, then you don’t need supervision.

What are the different levels of supervision?

For international medical graduates (IMGs), supervision can be offered from Level 1 to Level 4. AHPRA generally prefers for most IMGs under Standard Pathway to start at Level 1 Supervision for at least the first 3 months to ensure safe practice and support for the IMG.  

IMGs on Specialist Pathway are usually granted Level 3 in our experience, or Level 2 if they do not meet recency of practice. 

In a nutshell, here’s an overview of each level:

• Level 1: The supervisor takes direct and principal responsibility for each individual patient
• Level 2: The supervisor shares with the IMG responsibility for each individual patient
• Level 3: The IMG takes primary responsibility for each individual patient
• Level 4: The IMG takes full responsibility for each individual patient

Let’s dive deep into each supervision level below with their own following requirements: 

Level 1 Supervision

In our experience, IMGs gaining registration for the first time are likely to get level one supervision.  

Under level one supervision, the supervisor is directly responsible for each patient the IMG consults with. 

• The supervisor must be physically present in the practice at all times while the IMG practices (Supervision via phone or any other telecommunication is not acceptable). 
• The IMG must consult with their supervisor about the management of each patient before concluding the consultation and before the patient leaves the practice.

Level 2 Supervision

Under level two supervision, both the IMG and supervisor share the responsibility of each patient, so the supervisor should match the IMG’s patient management responsibilities to their assessed knowledge and skills.  

• Supervision via phone or any other telecommunication is acceptable, however a supervisor must be physically present in the practice for a minimum 80% of the time the IMG practices.  
• The IMG must consult with their supervisor daily about the management of each patient.

Level 3 Supervision

Under level three supervision, the IMG is primarily responsible for each patient. 

• The supervisor should make sure that there are measures in place that enable the monitoring of the IMG and safe practice. 
• The IMG is permitted to work alone, as long as the supervisor can be contacted via phone or video link.

Level 4 Supervision

Under level four supervision, the IMG is fully responsible for each patient.

• The supervisor must oversee the IMG’s practice and must be available for consultation should it be required. 
• The supervisor must periodically conduct reviews of the IMG’s practice.

We Can Help You

Here at People Medical Consulting, we have a passion for guiding medical practitioners through their career pathways to Australia. We have extensive experience in assisting medical facilities in recruiting doctors from local and overseas who will best suit their requirements.

We provide Document Assistance for those requiring support for their PESCI with IME, ACRRM or RACGP, registration and all other mandatory AHPRA requirements, fellowship program related forms and letters, application for Medicare provider and prescriber numbers, application for 19AB or 19AA exemptions and preparation of employment documents.

If you want to talk to someone about your pathway or practice management—book a consultation with us below, or if you need Recruitment or Document Assistance, contact us at help@peoplemedical.com.au or click the buttons below. We’d be glad to help you!

Information from this blog has been taken directly from:

• AHPRA Supervised practice plan and principal supervisor’s agreement for IMGs with limited or provisional registration – SPPA-30 – 3/8/24 – 10 February 2026
• AHPRA Supervised practice for international medical graduates guidelines – 21/06/2021 – 10 February 2026
• AHPRA Supervision – 26/08/2025 – 10 February 2026
• AHPRA Applying for registration (Forms) – 2/10/2025 – 10 February 2026

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