Training Pathways

Becoming a physician/paediatrician

If you are you a registered practitioner in Australia or New Zealand and are interested in physician or paediatrician training...

The RACP has various training pathways, linked to comprehensive training curricula, complemented by an extensive and wide-ranging program of on-the-job training, working with and learning from experienced clinicians. Becoming a physician involves a significant amount of training, time and commitment and we have provided below some information on areas of interest and training options. 

RACP Fellowship Training Pathways 

The RACP provides exemplary, workplace-orientated training and assessment in a broad range of medical specialties to equip Fellows and trainees in Australia and New Zealand with the knowledge and skills required to perform as physicians and paediatricians at the highest possible standard. The College provides two major streams of training and a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program for our Fellows to ensure life-long learning.

Professional Qualities Curriculum (PQC)

• All training pathways are underpinned by our PQC.
• It outlines 9 key domains with specific learning objectives required and used by all physicians and paediatricians, regardless of their specialty area of expertise.
• It spans both Basic Training and Advanced Training and forms a key component of the CPD program.

There are two main training entry points for the College:

1. The Physician Readiness for Expert Practice (PREP) Program.

2. Tailored training programs provided by the Faculties & Chapters.
 

1. The Physician Readiness for Expert Practice (PREP) Program

Trainees can apply to join the PREP Basic Training Program in Adult Medicine or Paediatrics & Child Health. A trainee can progress to an Advanced Training Program upon successful completion of the PREP Basic Training Program.

The entire program can take a minimum of six years to complete to become a physician/paediatrician and Fellow of the College. Timing is dependant upon the specialty/pathway chosen after basic training has been successfully completed. For more information about either program, click the link below:

• PREP Basic Training program
• Advanced Training program

2. Tailored training programs provided by the Faculties and Chapters

Trainees can choose to undertake a specialised training program within one (or more) of the Faculties and Chapters.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Once a trainee becomes a Fellow, they are provided with tools and support to assist with life-long learning and CPD; please see the CPD section of this site for more information.
 

Specialist Training Program (STP) – Expanded settings for training

The STP provides support to enable medical specialist trainees to rotate through an expanded range of settings beyond traditional public teaching hospitals.

In 2010, the Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) announced the newly branded STP. Previous programs now consolidated under the STP include:

• Expanded Specialist Training Program (ESTP)

• Outer Metropolitan Specialist Trainee Program (OMSTP)
• Advanced Specialist Training Posts in Rural Areas (ASTPRA)
• Pathology  Workforce Support Program
• Overseas Trained Specialist Upskilling Program
• Psychiatry Training Outside Teaching Hospitals (PTOTH)
• Supporting best practice and workforce in pathology and diagnostic imaging.