Trainees in paediatrics are required to complete a specified program of training and assessment to be eligible for admission to Fellowship of the RACP under Article 37 of the Articles of Association of the College.

The Board of Censors (BOC) of the Paediatrics and Child Health Division is responsible for advising the College Council on the training program, assessment and examination. The Committee for Paediatric Physician Training (CPPT) is the College committee that has direct responsibility for overseeing paediatric training. The training program in paediatrics covers is a minimum of 6 years in length. Paediatric physician training is divided into 2 periods-basic training and advanced training-each lasting at least 3 years, with an examination at the end of basic training, success at which is a prerequisite for advanced training.

Trainees are required to undertake at least 2 years of the 6 years of training in either Australia or New Zealand of which one year must be undertaken in basic training unless in exceptional circumstances. Some Specialist Advisory Committees may determine that a period of advanced training must be undertaken in Australia or New Zealand.

Basic training must be undertaken in hospitals or programs accredited by the College for basic training. A Director of Paediatric Physician Training (DPPT) is appointed by the College at each major hospital involved in basic training.

The FRACP Examination, which can be attempted in the third year of basic training or later, comprises written and clinical components, both of which must be completed successfully. However, success at the examination alone is not recognised as a specialist qualification.

The prerequisites for entry into advanced training are the satisfactory completion of basic training and success in the FRACP Examination. Advanced training may be undertaken under the supervision of the CPPT alone, or in association with the Specialist Advisory Committee (SAC) of the College or Joint Specialist Advisory Committee (JSAC) of the College, or as a joint Fellowship program with supervision from another college, or a faculty of the RACP.

Admission to Fellowship requires completion of all training requirements.

Registration with the relevant Medical Board is required before one can practice as a consultant paediatrician in Australia. Registration with the Medical Council is required before one can practice as a consultant paediatrician in New Zealand.

Overview of Training Program (cont...) >>