As the 2025 Victorian Intern Match approaches, we know health services across the state are preparing to recruit the next cohort of prevocational doctors. At PMCV, our goal is to support both candidates and health services through an equitable and efficient matching process.
As you may be aware, there have been changes to the Victorian Intern Allocation for 2025. This edition of PMCV insights will be taking you through these changes and outlining your role as a health service within the recruitment process.
Over recent years, areas for optimisation and improvement in the Intern Match process have become apparent. In response to this, PMCV established an Intern Match Review Reference Group with involvement from Clinical Deans, AMA Victoria, health services, JMO Victoria and the Medical Student Council of Victoria to thoroughly examine all processes and structures.
Following extensive consultation throughout 2024, it was decided that to ensure the best possible outcomes for the matching of interns to positions across Victoria’s health services we should change to an optimised ballot system for some eligibility groups in the Victorian Intern Allocation. Our priority is to uphold the integrity of the Match, providing interns and health services with a system they can trust – one that balances choice and opportunity.
Victorian Rural Preferential Allocation
The Victorian Rural Preferential Allocation (VRPA) process will continue under the Merit System so that rural health services can asses and select candidates most suitable for their internship programs.
The steps that will be undertaken in the VRPA process are as follows:
Stage 1 – Candidates complete their application via the PMCV APS. Applications will include:
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Personalised cover to each health service/Intern Training Program they have preferenced
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CV
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Completed Referee Reports
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Video Interview
Stage 2 – Health service review and rank candiates by the specified date in the Key Dates.
Stage 3- Allocation of VRPA positions will be run utilising a merit algorithm.
Victorian Intern Allocation
Differently, the Victorian Intern Allocation (which features all metropolitan positions) will be held within an optimised ballot system for Eligibility Groups 1-3. The steps involved in this process are as follows:
Stage 1 – Candidates complete their application via the PMCV APS.
Applications will include a CV and completed referee reports for onboarding purposes only.
Stage 2 – Allocation will be run utilising an optimised ballot algorithm.
Stage 3 – Health service will receive a list of accepted candidates at the end of each audit period as specified in the key dates.
Merit System – Eligibility Group 4
For those eligible for Eligibility Group 4 in the Victorian Intern Allocation, this being graduates from an overseas campus of an Australian/New Zealand University that is accredited by the Australian Medical Council, they will be following the merit-based process.
Stage 1 – Candidates complete their application via the PMCV APS. Applications will include:
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Generic Cover Letter outlining their interest in completing internship in Victoria
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CV
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Completed Referee Reports
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Video Interview
Stage 2 – Health service review and rank candidates by the specified date in Key Dates.
Stage 3 – Allocation of Group 4 positions will be run utilising a merit algorithm.
It is important to note that whilst PMCV oversees the Match processes, health services do remain responsible for their individual recruitment processes. This does not include candidates who are applying directly to health services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are we required to assess and rank candidates?
A: VRPA – If your health service/Intern Training Program is part of the VRPA you will be required to assess and rank candidates who preference your facility. VIA – You till not be required to assess and rank candidates in Eligibility Groups 1-3. But, you will be required to assess and rank candidates in Eligibility Group 4.
Q: When will health services/Intern Training Programs be notified of the candidates allocated to them?
A: VRPA – Health services/Intern Training Programs will be notified on the 14th of July at 10am. VIA – Health services will receive their allocated candidates at the conclusion of each audit period, or earlier at the discretion of PMCV.
Q: What is PMCV’s role in matching interns?
A: PMCV facilitates the algorithm-based matching process. For VRPA and VIA Group 4 PMCV utilise a merit-based algorithm that considers candidate preference, health service ranking and available positions. For VIA Group 1-3 PMCV utilise an optimised ballot algorithm that considers the candidate preference and available positions.
Q: What is the process after candidates have been allocated?
A: Candidates will have 48 hours to accept or decline their offer of internship, health services/Intern Training Programs will then conduct pre-employment checks as per their policies and commence the onboarding process.
Q: Where can we access updated timelines and resources?
A: All updated information, including the 2025 Match timeline, is available on our website:
Please contact us if you have any questions about this process via: allocations@pmcv.com.au
