As we move towards the end of April, most of you will have settled into your intern year and developed a clearer understanding of your health service, team and workplace culture.

For some, this is the point where you start thinking ahead to 2027. Do you stay where you are, or move to a new health service for PGY2?

Historically, it was very common to move to a different health service after internship.

But the shift to the two-year national framework and two-year contracts have seen fewer doctors move in 2026.

Transitioning will still be the right decision for some – based on your goals, training opportunities and overall fit.


Considering the PMCV PGY2 Match

If you are considering a move, you will need to prepare for the PMCV PGY2 Match (Postgraduate Medical Council of Victoria Postgraduate Year 2 Match), which opens on 27 July 2026.

At this stage of the year, it is unclear how many positions will be available at each health service for 2027, and you are unlikely to have full visibility of this when you are required to advise your current health service of your intentions.

Important – you cannot apply for both. You will be asked to confirm whether you intend to accept or decline a PGY2 position with your current employer. If you plan to enter the match, you will need to decline that offer.

This is why early preparation matters.


Updating your resume is a practical first step

If you are not yet sure but want to be prepared, updating your resume is a practical first step.

You will likely already have a basic version from your intern application, but this was built to meet a specific template and purpose. It is worth revisiting and refining into a more polished document that clearly presents your clinical capability, career direction and suitability for the roles you are now considering.

Before drafting, check whether the organisation requires a specific template or asks you to address key selection criteria. Following these shows attention to detail and aligns your application with assessor expectations.

 

Our resume resources

On-demand Developing a Strong Medical Resume webinar – In the coming weeks, we will release an on-demand webinar for early career doctors to assist you in Developing a Strong Medical Resume. This webinar will step you through key sections and how to present a clear, competitive resume.  This webinar will be posted to the AMAVic Doctor in Training community – join the community.

Online resume resources – We also have a range of resume resources available in our Early Career Doctor collection.

One-on-one 15-minute Resume Review with our team – For personalised support, AMA Victoria members can book a 15-minute Resume Review with our team to refine their document and strengthen their application. We encourage you to schedule this after you have attended the webinar and had a go at updating your resume as a first draft.

Mardi O’Keefe is the Director of Engagement & Professional Growth at AMA Victoria.