An unqualified Australian man has posed as a doctor for 12 years.

LISTEN ABOVE: Rachel Smalley talks to Australian Correspondent, Donna Demaio, about the fraudster. 

Shyam Acharya is accused of obtaining stolen and fraudulent documents while living in India, and using them to gain registration with the Medical Board of New South Wales.

Australia correspondent Donna Demaio told Rachel Smalley he went from hospital to hospital.

"The Australian medical association of course has said he managed to fool the system for so long, so the health departments been going through these records and trying to advise patients."

Shyam Acharya has been charged, but he's currently missing.