Insight blue web

 Guide to Specialty Training in Australia 2019

This table is intended to give you an overview of the training pathways for medical specialties in Australia. More detailed information about individual specialties

is available on the College and training organisation websites. If you’d like personalised advice about which specialty options would best suit you or you need guidance about how to achieve your career goals.

Get in Touch

 Download this guide as a PDF

 

 

SPECIALTY

 

TRAINING

ORGANISATION

 

TRAINING LENGTH

 

COSTS

 

OVERSUBSCRIBED?

*

 

PREDICTED SHORTAGE? #

 

Addiction Medicine

 

2 alternative pathways

 

Australasian Chapter of Addiction Medicine (RACP)

 

6 Years

 

  • Annual Training Fee: $3543

  • Basic Training Written Exam: $1930

  • Basic Training Clinical Exam: $2888

 

Under

 

Some

 

Addiction Medicine

 

Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists

 

5 Years

  • Initial Registration Fee: $693

  • Annual Training Fee: $1840

  • Annual Administrative Fee: $488

  • Written Exam (MCQ): $1210

  • Written Exam (Essay): $1784

  • OSCE Exam: $2624

  • Case History Submission: $785

  • Scholarly Project Submissions: $785

 

Under

 

Some

 

Anaesthesia

 

Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetics

 

5 Years

  • Application Fee: $740

  • Application Maintenance Fee: $615

  • Trainee Registration Fee: $2395

  • Annual Training Fee: $3245

  • Registration Maintenance Fee: $615

  • Primary Exam Fee: $5435

  • Final Exam Fee: $6045

 

Over

 

No

 

 

SPECIALTY

 

TRAINING

ORGANISATION

 

TRAINING LENGTH

 

COSTS

 

OVERSUBSCRIBED?

*

 

PREDICTED SHORTAGE? #

 

 

 

  • Selection Registration Fee: $570

 

 

 

 

 

  • Selection Processing Fee: $880

 

 

 

 

 

  • SET Training Fee $2385

 

 

 

 

 

  • GSSE Fee: $4495

 

 

 

 

 

  • Cardiothoracic SSPE Pt1: $2045

 

 

 

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Royal Australasian College of Surgeons

 

6 Years

  • Cardiothoracic SSPE Pt2: $2325

  • Clinical Exam: $3100

  • ASSET Course: $3770

 

Over

 

No

 

 

 

  • CCrISP Course: $3390

 

 

 

 

 

  • EMST Course: $2990

 

 

 

 

 

  • CLEAR Course: $1650

 

 

 

 

 

  • Fellowship Exam Fee: $8495

 

 

 

Dermatology

 

Australasian College of Dermatologists

 

4 Years

  • Application Fee: $1600

  • Clinical Sciences Modules $3250

  • Training Program Fee $5363

  • Fellowship Exam Fee $4000

 

Over

 

No

 

Emergency Medicine

 

Australasian College for Emergency Medicine

 

5 Years

  • Selection into training: $550

  • Entrance Registration: $704

  • Annual Training: $1601

  • Primary Exam (Written): $1859

  • Primary Exam (Viva): $2065

  • Fellowship Exam (Written): $2442

  • Fellowship Exam (OSCE): $3452

 

Under

 

Some

 

 

SPECIALTY

 

TRAINING

ORGANISATION

 

TRAINING LENGTH

 

COSTS

 

OVERSUBSCRIBED?

*

 

PREDICTED SHORTAGE? #

General Practice training is overseen by Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) and applicants choose between training with RACGP and ACRRM.

 

General Practice

 

2 alternative pathways

 

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners

 

3 Years

  • Application Fee: $725

  • Fellowship Fee: $1345

  • Applied Knowledge Test Fee: $2010

  • Key Feature Problems Fee: $2010

  • OSCE: $3980

 

Over

 

Yes

 

General Practice

 

Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine

 

4 Years

  • Application Fee: $700

  • MCQ: $1606

  • Case Based Discussion: $1974.50

  • StAMPS: $3294.50

  • Project: $3394.60

  • StAMPS Mock Exam: $1204.50

 

Over

 

Yes

 

General Surgery

 

General Surgeons Australia (GSA delegated by RACS)

 

5 Years

  • Selection Registration Fee: $570

  • Selection Processing Fee: $880

  • SET Training Fee: $3545

  • GSSE: $4495

  • Clinical Exam: $3100

  • ASSET Course: $3770

  • CCrISP Course: $3390

  • EMST Course: $2990

  • CLEAR Course: $1650

  • Fellowship Exam Fee: $8495

 

Over

 

Some

 

 

SPECIALTY

 

TRAINING

ORGANISATION

 

TRAINING LENGTH

 

COSTS

 

OVERSUBSCRIBED?

*

 

PREDICTED SHORTAGE? #

 

Intensive Care Medicine

 

College of Intensive Care Medicine of Australia and New Zealand

 

6 Years

  • Registration Fee $2060

  • Annual Training Fee $1640

  • First Part Examination $3730

  • Second Part Examination $3730

  • Admission to Fellowship $1265

 

Under

 

No

 

Medical Administration

 

Royal Australian College of Medical Administrators

 

3 Years

  • Candidacy Application: $1415

  • RPL Consultation: $3597

  • Training Enrolment: $896

  • Medical Management Practice Domain: $1537

  • Personal and Professional Leadership Domain: $422

  • Research Training Domain: $839

  • Medical Leadership Workshop: $1839

  • Workforce Engagement Workshop:

  • Pre-Fellowship Workshop: $1942

  • Trial Exam: $1076

  • Oral Exam: $3280

  • Election to Fellowship Application: 

    $1839

 

 

Under

 

No

 

Medicine (and specialties)

 

Royal Australasian College of Physicians

 

6 Years

  • Annual Training Fee: $3543

  • Basic Training Written Exam: $1930

  • Basic Training Clinical Exam: $2888

  • Admission to Fellowship: $1274

 

Varies according to specialty

 

No, except general medicine

 

 

SPECIALTY

 

TRAINING

ORGANISATION

 

TRAINING LENGTH

 

COSTS

 

OVERSUBSCRIBED?

*

 

PREDICTED SHORTAGE? #

 

Neurosurgery

 

Neurosurgical society of Australasia (delegated by RACS)

 

6 Years

  • Selection Registration Fee: $570

  • Selection Processing Fee: $880

  • SET Training Fee (RACS): $3545

  • SET Training Fee (NSA): $3545

  • GSSE: $4495

  • Clinical Exam: $3100

  • ASSET Course: $3770

  • CCrISP Course: $3390

  • EMST Course: $2990

  • CLEAR Course: $1650

  • Fellowship Exam Fee: $8495

 

Over

 

No

 

Obstetrics and Gynaecology

 

Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

 

6 Years

  • Selection Application Fee: $570

  • Interview Application: $880

  • Annual Training Fee: $3435

  • Foundations of Surgery Workshop:

  • Communication Skills Workshop: $790

  • Ultrasound Workshop: $1500

  • FRANZCOG Written Exam: $1675

  • FRANZCOG Oral Exam: $3205

  • Sub-specialty Written Exam: $1725

  • Sub-specialty Oral Exam: $3930

  • Fellowship Elevation Fee: $1680

$1600

 

Over

 

Some

 

 

SPECIALTY

 

TRAINING

ORGANISATION

 

TRAINING LENGTH

 

COSTS

 

OVERSUBSCRIBED?

*

 

PREDICTED SHORTAGE? #

 

Occupational and Environmental Medicine

 

Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (RACP)

 

4 Years

  • Annual Training Fee: $3543

  • AFOEM Written Exam (Stage A) Fee:

  • AFOEM Written Exam (Stage B) Fee:

  • AFOEM Clinical Exam Fee: $2888

  • Admission to Fellowship: $1274

$1930

$1930

 

Under

 

No

 

Ophthalmology

 

Royal Australasian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists

 

5 Years

  • Registration Fee: $1200

  • Education and Training: $4250

  • COPEM module 1: $550

  • COPEM module 2: $550

  • Anatomy Written and OSPE: $1695

  • Optics: $500

  • Physiology: $500

  • OBCK: $1965

  • Ophthalmic Pathology: $920

  • RACE Written: $820

  • RACE Clinical: $2760

 

Over

 

Yes

 

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons

 

Australian and New Zealand Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

4 Years

 

NB Full registration in dentistry and medicine required

  • Application Fee: $1206

  • Subscription Fee: $728

  • Training Fee: $4688

  • SST Exam Enrolment: $2284

  • Assessment Fee: $629

  • Final Enrolment Fee: $4603

  • Admission to Fellowship: $353

 

Under

 

No

 

 

SPECIALTY

 

TRAINING

ORGANISATION

 

TRAINING LENGTH

 

COSTS

 

OVERSUBSCRIBED?

*

 

PREDICTED SHORTAGE? #

 

Orthopaedic Surgery

 

Royal Australasian College of Surgeons

 

5 Years

  • Selection Registration Fee: $570

  • Selection Processing Fee: $880

  • GSSE Fee: $4495

  • Ortho PBSE Fee: $3075

  • SET Training Fee: $3545

  • Clinical Exam Fee: $3100

  • ASSET Course: $3770

  • CCrISP Course: $3390

  • EMST Course: $2990

  • CLEAR Course: $1650

  • TIPS Course: $2790

  • Fellowship Exam Fee: $8495

 

Over

 

No

 

Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery

 

Australian Society of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (ASOHNS delegated by RACS)

 

5 Years

  • Selection Registration Fee: $570

  • Selection Processing Fee: $880

  • Specialty SET Fee (ASOHNS): $2950

  • Specialty SET Fee (RACS): $520

  • Clinical Exam Fee: $3100

  • GSSE: $4495

  • SSE (OHNS): $2045

  • ASSET Course: $3770

  • CCrISP Course: $3390

  • EMST Course: $2990

  • Fellowship Exam Fee: $8495

 

Over

 

No

 

Paediatrics (and specialties)

 

Royal Australasian College of Physicians

 

6 Years

  • Annual Training Fee: $3543

  • Basic Training Written Exam: $1930

  • Basic Training Clinical Exam: $2888

  • Admission to Fellowship: $1274

 

Under

 

No

 

 

SPECIALTY

 

TRAINING

ORGANISATION

 

TRAINING LENGTH

 

COSTS

 

OVERSUBSCRIBED?

*

 

PREDICTED SHORTAGE? #

 

Paediatric Surgery

 

Royal Australasian College of Surgeons

 

6 Years

  • Selection Registration Fee: $570

  • Selection Processing Fee: $880

  • SET Training Fee: $2630

  • GSSE: $4495

  • Anatomy & Embryology Exam: $4370

  • Paed Pathophysiology Exam: $2045

  • Clinical Exam: $3100

  • ASSET Course: $3770

  • CCrISP Course: $3390

  • EMST Course: $2990

  • CLEAR Course: $1650

  • Fellowship Exam Fee: $8495

 

Over

 

No

 

Pain Medicine

 

Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists

2 Years (in addition to primary specialist

training)

  • Trainee Application Fee: $2545

  • Annual Training Fee: $2465

  • Registration Maintenance Fee: $645

  • Examination Fee: $4180

  • Long Case Assessment Fee: $1390

 

Under

 

Some

 

Palliative Medicine

 

Australasian Chapter of Palliative Medicine (RACP)

 

6 Years

  • Annual Training Fee: $3543

  • Basic Training Written Exam: $1930

  • Basic Training Clinical Exam: $2888

  • Admission to Fellowship: $1274

 

Under

 

Some

 

Pathology (and specialties)

Royal College of Pathologists Australasia

 

NB Some specialties involve dual College Fellowships

 

5 Years

  • Initial Registration Fee $110

  • Annual Training Fee $1177

  • Basic Pathological Sciences $690

  • Part 1 Examination $2390

  • Part 2 Examination $2390

  • Admission to Fellowship $990

 

Under

 

Some

 

 

SPECIALTY

 

TRAINING

ORGANISATION

 

TRAINING LENGTH

 

COSTS

 

OVERSUBSCRIBED?

*

 

PREDICTED SHORTAGE? #

 

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

 

Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons

(ASPS delegated by RACS)

 

5 Years

  • Selection Registration Fee: $570

  • Application Processing Fee: $828

  • GSSE Fee: $4495

  • PRSSPE Fee: $3075

  • SET Training Fee: $3545

  • Clinical Exam Fee: $3100

  • ASSET Course: $3770

  • CCrISP Course: $3390

  • EMST Course: $2990

  • Fellowship Exam Fee: $8495

 

Over

 

No

 

Psychiatry

 

Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists

 

5 Years

  • Initial Registration Fee: $693

  • Annual Training Fee: $1840

  • Annual Administrative Fee: $488

  • Written Exam (MCQ): $1210

  • Written Exam (Essay): $1784

  • OSCE Exam: $2624

  • Case History Submission: $785

  • Scholarly Project Submissions: $785

 

Under

 

Yes

 

Public Health Medicine

 

Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine (RACP)

 

6 Years

  • Annual Training Fee: $3543

  • Basic Training Written Exam: $1883

  • AFPHM Oral Exam Fee: $2888

  • Admission to Fellowship: $1274

 

Neutral

 

No

 

Radiation Oncology

 

Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists

 

5 Years

  • Annual Membership Subscription:

  • Annual Training Fee: $1932

  • Phase 1 Exam: $3475

  • Phase 2 Exam: $4735

$2180

 

Over

 

Yes

 

 

SPECIALTY

 

TRAINING

ORGANISATION

 

TRAINING LENGTH

 

COSTS

 

OVERSUBSCRIBED?

*

 

PREDICTED SHORTAGE? #

 

Radiology

 

Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists

 

5 Years

  • Annual Membership Subscription:

  • Annual Training Fee: $1932

  • Part 1 Exam: $3475

  • Part 2 Exam Fee: $4735

$2180

 

Over

 

Yes

 

Rehabilitation Medicine

 

Australasian Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine (RACP)

 

4 Years

  • Basic Training Fee: $3543

  • AFRM Written Exam: $1930

  • AFRM Clinical Exam: $2888

  • Fellowship Written Exam $1930

  • Fellowship Clinical Exam $2888

  • Admission to Fellowship $1274

 

Under

 

No

 

Sexual Health Medicine

 

Australasian Chapter of Sexual Health Medicine (RACP)

 

6 Years

  • Annual Training Fee: $3543

  • Basic Training Written Exam: $1930

  • Basic Training Clinical Exam $2888

  • Admission to Fellowship: $1274

 

Under

 

Some

 

Sport and Exercise Medicine

 

Australasian College of Sports Physicians

 

4 Years

  • Entrance (Part 1) Exam: $2000

  • Application for Interview: $850

  • Annual Subscription: $1575

  • Student Amenities Fee: $1200

  • E-Learning modules (5): $1800/module

  • MOST Course: $1290

  • Ultrasound Training: $1290

  • Fellowship Written Exam: $2330

  • Fellowship Clinical Exam: $2900

 

Under

 

No

 

 

SPECIALTY

 

TRAINING

ORGANISATION

 

TRAINING LENGTH

 

COSTS

 

OVERSUBSCRIBED?

*

 

PREDICTED SHORTAGE? #

 

 

 

  • Selection Registration Fee: $570

 

 

 

 

 

  • Selection Processing Fee: $880

 

 

 

 

 

  • GSSE Fee: $4495

 

 

 

 

 

  • Specialty SSE Fee: $3075

 

 

 

Urology

Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand (USANZ delegated by RACS)

 

6 Years

  • SET Training Fee: $3545

  • Clinical Exam Fee: $3100

  • ASSET Course: $3770

  • CCrISP Course: $3390

 

Over

 

No

 

 

 

  • EMST Course: $2990

 

 

 

 

 

  • CLEAR Course: $1650

 

 

 

 

 

  • Fellowship Exam Fee: $8495

 

 

 

 

 

  • Selection Registration Fee: $570

 

 

 

 

 

  • Selection Processing Fee: $880

 

 

 

 

 

  • GSSE Fee: $4495

 

 

 

Vascular Surgery

 

Australian and New Zealand Society for Vascular Surgery (ANZSVS delegated by RACS)

 

5 Years

  • Specialty SSE Fee: $3075

  • SET Training Fee: $3545

  • Clinical Exam Fee: $3100

  • ASSET Course: $3770

  • CCrISP Course: $3390

 

Over

 

No

 

 

 

  • EMST Course: $2990

 

 

 

 

 

  • Fellowship Exam Fee: $8495

 

 

* Oversubscribed means that there are more applicants than available training positions. In the UK, this is referred to as a “competition ratio” and this information is readily available but, in Australia, very few Colleges publicise these figures. These assessments are based on the best information available.

# Based on modelling of medical workforce for 2025 by Health Workforce Australia (Health Workforce 2025 – Vol 3 – Medical Specialties) and NSW Health priorities (Health Professional Workforce Plan 2012)

Other Sources:

  • College websites
  • NSW Health Map My Career