In 2013, there were 17,888 vocational training positions/trainees (Table 4.3). The largest number was in general practice, which across the two colleges had 4,087 training positions/trainees, demonstrating an 18.6% increase from the previous year (3,445 in 2012). The second largest group was in adult medicine (3,988), followed by emergency medicine (2,066), paediatrics (1,368), psychiatry (1,251) and anaesthesia (1,212).
Data cover all Australian trainees, as well as international medical graduates who are registered vocational trainees and who are working, being supervised or training in an accredited training position, post, facility or program. A number of medical colleges provide training overseas and Australian trainees within these overseas programs are included in the data, whereas non-Australian trainees are excluded.
It should be noted that numbers reported for some specialties differ sometimes across tables. This is primarily due to variation in what is included in the numbers in respect to New Zealand and other overseas trainees. In addition there are a number of trainees located in more than one state and territory and cannot be allocated to any one particular state/territory. These trainees have been counted in both, but the total number of trainees for that specialty only includes the physical headcount. Differences in inclusions are duly noted in the table footnotes where applicable.
Medical specialty | Basic trainees | Advanced trainees | Total college trainees |
---|---|---|---|
(a) Includes those undertaking training in Australia and overseas. Source: Medical colleges and GPET | |||
Addiction medicine | .. | 24 | 24 |
Adult medicine(a) | 2,475 | 1,513 | 3,988 |
Anaesthesia | 555 | 657 | 1,212 |
Anaesthesia - pain medicine | .. | 65 | 65 |
Dermatology | 46 | 49 | 95 |
Emergency medicine(b) | 727 | 1,339 | 2,066 |
General practice | ![]() | ![]() | |
- GPET | .. | 3,932 | (i)3,932 |
- ACRRM(c) | .. | 155 | 155 |
Intensive care | 199 | 281 | 480 |
Medical administration | .. | (e)107 | 107 |
Obstetrics and gynaecology | 356 | 159 | (j)515 |
Occupational and environmental medicine | .. | 102 | 102 |
Ophthalmology | 53 | (f)90 | 143 |
Paediatrics(a)(b) | 812 | 556 | 1,368 |
Palliative medicine(a)(d) | .. | 80 | 80 |
Pathology | .. | 301 | 301 |
Pathology and RACP (jointly) | .. | 213 | 213 |
Psychiatry | 833 | (g)418 | 1,251 |
Public health medicine | .. | 81 | 81 |
Radiation oncology | .. | 122 | 122 |
Radiodiagnosis | .. | 364 | 364 |
Rehabilitation medicine | .. | 191 | 191 |
Sexual health medicine(a) | .. | 20 | 20 |
Sport and exercise medicine | .. | (h)30 | 30 |
Surgery | .. | 983 | 983 |
Total | 6,056 | 11,832 | 17,888 |