AFRM News – November 2025
A message from your President
I attended the latest Convocation ceremony at the Brisbane Convention Centre on Saturday, 1 November and was delighted to personally congratulate Ella McGrath and Alana Kearsley on becoming Fellows of the Faculty. This is a joyful occasion so I would encourage all trainees about to attain Fellowship to register for a Convocation near you. Enjoy that moment of receiving your testamur and crossing the stage to the applause of your peers, family and friends!
Most members will be aware that the day before Convocation we had three important extraordinary general meetings (EGMs). One to decide on changes to the College Constitution, another on the fate of the RACP President-elect, Dr Sharmila Chandran, including a proposal to remove her from the Board, and another to consider the position of one of the remaining Board members, Dr Nick Buckmaster. I refer you to the statement put out by RACP if you have not caught up with events and the results of the EGMs.
This is an incredibly challenging time for those directly involved. But for the College in general, now is the time to make choices about the direction we want to take with our leadership. At Convocation we had one of our guest speakers, Professor Owen Ung, President of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), talk to the New Fellows about similar changes that the RACS has made to its governance and board. His message was that these had been very successful in getting the RACS out of recent difficulties and providing a leadership structure that suited the present-day activities of their college better.
Turning to Faculty activities, I need to make you aware that all the adult rehabilitation medicine physician Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are now migrating across to RMSANZ, as their activities seem to align better with that organisation. Paediatricians, please note that the paediatric rehabilitation medicine SIG has decided to remain under the AFRM umbrella at present.
For those in private practice, the Faculty has recently made a submission to the Australian Private Hospitals Association (APHA) as part of its review of accreditation of rehabilitation facilities. We emphasised the importance of APHA accrediting rehabilitation medicine specialists to clinical leader and service roles within private facilities, rather than favouring other medical or surgical specialists.
The Binational Rehabilitation Policy Statement (BNRPS) has now completed another round of submissions on the draft document within the development group. I expect that the BNRPS will become our major advocacy document of this decade, and I sincerely hope that it clearly articulates the value that we as specialists in our field bring to patients, and the hospitals and community services they access.
This will be my last newsletter for the year. I wish you all a good run to the summer holidays and the reunions with family and friends that time is likely to bring. It is a time to put aside the stresses of medical work and enjoy some time to nourish yourselves.
With warmest regards/Mauri ora ki a koutou katoa
Richard Seemann
AFRM President
AFRM insights
New curriculum for first-year paediatric rehabilitation trainees in 2026
A new Advanced Training in Paediatric Rehabilitation Medicine curriculum will be implemented for first-year trainees in 2026, bringing new curriculum standards and refreshed learning, teaching, and assessment (LTA) requirements. The new program introduces enhanced work-based assessments – Learning Captures and Observation Captures – supported by the Training Management Platform, which replaces the existing PREP tools and Fellowship Examinations. Current trainees have been individually contacted about their training options for 2026, and further information and resources are available on the RACP New Curricula Support Hub and RACP Online Learning.
In memory of Dr Martin Low
It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Dr Martin Low, former Medical Director of the Rehabilitation Unit at Camden and Campbelltown Hospitals, after a long and courageous battle with illness. Joining Campbelltown Hospital in 2002, Dr Low was not only a respected colleague but also a mentor, leader, and friend to many. His compassion, calm leadership, and commitment to restoring dignity and independence for patients shaped the caring culture that continues in the unit today. Dr Low’s kindness, humility, and dedication will be deeply missed, and his legacy lives on in the many lives he touched. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.
Thank you to our Annual Training Meeting speakers
A warm thank you to all of the speakers who contributed to this year’s Annual Training Meeting. Special thanks to Dr Olivia McVilly, Chair of the AFRM Trainee Committee, and Meredith Marsh from the RACP Events Team for their outstanding organisation and support. Those interested in presenting at next year’s meeting or recommending potential speakers are encouraged to get in touch with the Faculty.
Bi-National Rehabilitation Position Statement (BNRPS)
The BNRPS Working Group is making strong progress on their draft document, which is focusing on the unique role and value of rehabilitation medicine physicians. Work continues to strengthen the evidence base, incorporate case studies, and review data with the Australasian Rehabilitation Outcomes Centre (AROC). A workshop in July explored funding models, data systems, and workforce planning. Engagements with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders, paediatric rehabilitation leaders, and Māori health partners are enriching the document to reflect member priorities, drive meaningful system change, and support advocacy across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.
Research supervision: free online course for AFRM supervisors
Are you a supervisor or interested in becoming one? A trainee’s experience can be greatly enhanced by a supportive and informed supervisor. The Research Supervision online course helps supervisors who want an update on research project requirements and the research process in general. Log in to RACP Online Learning
Awards, scholarships and prizes
The RACP Foundation offers Fellowships, scholarships, grants, and prizes to members dedicated to advancing healthcare. There are also various other Medals and Prizes that recognise the exceptional contributions and achievements of our Fellows and trainees.
Closing soon
RACP Indigenous Health Scholarship Program: supports those medical graduates and current trainees of the RACP who identify as Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander or Māori on their chosen career path to becoming a physician. Closes: Sunday, 30 November 2025.
Further details of the scholarship program are available on the RACP Foundation website.
Alternatively, email the Foundation team at foundation@racp.edu.au.
Make an impact
Discover how you can get involved and make a difference by volunteering for an exciting opportunity within your Faculty. Whether you’re looking to enhance your skills, gain experience, or simply give back, there are plenty of rewarding opportunities waiting for you.
NSW/ACT AFRM Regional Committee
NSW/ACT Regional Training Coordinator
NSW/ACT Fellow
SA/NT AFRM Regional Committee
SA/NT Fellows x 2
WA AFRM Regional Committee
WA Fellows x 5
WA Regional Training Coordinator
QLD AFRM Regional Committee
QLD Fellows x 2
Faculty Paediatric Training and Assessment Committee
Advanced Trainee Representative
Faculty Assessment Committee
Module 6 Coordinator role
Module 4 Marker
Module 6 Marker
View more expressions of interest
Call for reviewers
Would you like to help us judge the AFRM Adrian Paul Prize and earn CPD hours? Email afrm@racp.edu.au to express interest.
Explore our updated
events list for a chance to gain valuable insights, grow your expertise, and connect with your colleagues. Each event is designed to inspire, inform, and elevate your professional journey.
Parkinson’s Rehabilitation – A comprehensive treatment guide: From freezing to falls
Join the Rehabilitation Medicine Society of Australia and New Zealand (RMSANZ) for this in-depth workshop on Parkinson’s rehabilitation.
Date: Saturday, 22 to Sunday, 23 November 2025
Location: Southern Cross University, QLD
Register here.
Visit the College website for our full list of events
Trainees' corner
Stay up to date with the latest news from the trainee community and discover ways to enhance your training. From new resources to upcoming events, there's always something to support your growth and development.
What the new paediatric rehabilitation curriculum means for current trainees
Current paediatric rehabilitation medicine trainees will transition to the new Advanced Training curriculum by 2027, with the PREP program closing at the end of 2026. All current trainees have been individually contacted about their training plans and may choose to move to the new curriculum in 2026. The new program removes external training modules and Fellowship examinations, introducing enhanced work-based assessments through the Training Management Platform. Refer to the LTA programs for more information. Additional resources are available on the RACP New Curricula Support Hub and RACP Online Learning.
Research projects: free online course for trainees
Join the Research Projects course, which provides a detailed walk-through of the entire research process.
Thank you to our Annual Training Meeting speakers
A warm thank you to all speakers who contributed to this year’s Annual Training Meeting. Special thanks to Dr Olivia McVilly, Chair of the AFRM Trainee Committee, and Meredith Marsh from the RACP events team for their outstanding organisation and support.
Bi-National Training Program 2025
The BNTP Webinar Series continues monthly on the last Wednesday of every month, 3pm–5pm AEST/AEDT. Register here to stay updated.
Past BNTP webinars are available on Medflix.
NSW Lecture Series
Monthly face-to-face and hybrid teaching sessions: Last Wednesday of each month, February–November, 1pm–3pm AEST/AEDT. Register here.
For general training enquiries: occenvmed@racp.edu.au
In other news
AFRM contact details
Member enquiries
Phone (AUS): 1300 69 7227
Phone (NZ): 0508 69 7227
Email: memberservices@racp.edu.au
AFRM Faculty enquiries (including Council and Committees)
Ruby Nelson, Executive Officer
Email: afrm@racp.edu.au
Aotearoa NZ AFRM Committee
Executive Officer, DFACs AoNZ
Phone: +64 4 460 8142
Email: nz_afrm@racp.org.nz
Aotearoa NZ office
Executive Officer, DFACs AoNZ
Phone: +64 4 460 8142
Email: nz_afrm@racp.org.nz
AFRM education and training enquiries
Education Officer
Phone: +61 2 8247 6237
Email: rehab@racp.edu.au