By Mardi O’Keefe
We have been hearing a common question from interns about the upcoming protected industrial action: Can I participate and still meet the 47-week clinical training requirement for general registration?
It’s an understandable question. Your general registration matters and you want to be confident that participating in industrial action will not put completion of your internship at risk.
The 47-week requirement is not a blanket reason for interns not to participate in protected industrial action.
What about the 47-week requirement?
Interns are required to complete at least 47 weeks of supervised clinical practice to meet the requirements for general registration.
For most interns who have progressed through the year as expected, this requirement should not automatically prevent them from participating in protected industrial action.
However, it is important to understand your own position. If you have taken extended personal, sick or other leave during the year, check how you are tracking against the 47-week requirement and seek advice if you are unsure.
Your right to participate
Don't assume that being an intern means you cannot participate.
The 47-week requirement is a training and registration requirement. Protected industrial action is an industrial matter. They are not the same thing, and one does not cancel out the other.
Eligible Australian Salaried Medical Officers Federation (ASMOF) Victoria members can participate in protected industrial action when:
That action has been formally notified
They follow the instructions provided by ASMOF Victoria.
Interns should not be individually pressured not to participate outside the formal arrangements established to maintain minimum safe staffing.
If you are approached about not participating because you are an intern, or because of concerns about your training requirements, seek advice from AMA Victoria or ASMOF Victoria.
Why intern participation matters
Interns are an important part of the medical workforce and have the same right as other eligible doctors to participate in protected industrial action.
The current enterprise bargaining campaign is about the conditions doctors will work under into the future. As an intern at the beginning of your career, those conditions will directly shape your working life for years to come.
Participation is a personal decision. If you choose to participate, make sure you understand the notified action and follow ASMOF Victoria’s advice.
Contact us to learn more
If you are concerned about the 47-week requirement because you have already had significant time away from work, contact AMA Victoria or ASMOF Victoria. We can help you understand where you sit and what the requirements mean for you.
Mardi O’Keefe is the Director of Engagement & Professional Growth at AMA Victoria.