Medical Training Review Panel: Seventeenth Report

Advanced Training

Page last updated: 09 April 2014

In 2013, there were 11,832 advanced vocational training positions/trainees in programs in Australia (Table 4.13). This constitutes two thirds (66.1%) of the total number of vocational training positions/trainees. General practice had the highest number of advanced trainees (4,087), followed by adult medicine (1,513), emergency medicine (1,339) and surgery (983).

Table 4.13 also shows the distribution of advanced training positions/trainees across states and territories.

Table 4.13: Advanced vocational training positions/trainees by medical specialty and state/territory, 2013
Medical specialty
NSW
Vic
Qld
SA
WA
Tas
NT
ACT
Aust

(a) Australian total differs from the sum of state/territory totals in some specialties because it includes trainees in overseas placements.
(b) Emergency medicine and paediatrics data account for trainees undertaking paediatric emergency medicine.
(c) Includes ACT figures.
(d) Includes Provisional Fellowship Training.
(e) Total number of registrars across all states is 3,974 (includes double counting of some registrars).
(f) Total includes 4 currently living overseas. Includes registrars on the Independent Pathway only.
(g) Excludes 28 trainees that deferred SET training commencement in 2012.

Source: Medical colleges and GPET
Addiction medicine(a)
10
1
5
3
2
0
0
0
24
Adult medicine(a)
477
464
257
145
103
28
14
27
1,513
Anaesthesia
200
151
152
46
69
15
9
15
(d)657
Anaesthesia - pain medicine
20
21
9
5
5
3
0
2
65
Dermatology
19
13
10
5
2
0
0
0
49
Emergency medicine(b)
373
326
330
100
141
31
20
18
1,339
General practice - GPET
(c)1,317
841
896
315
374
122
109
..
(e)3,932
General practice - ACRRM(a)
37
13
67
4
20
4
5
1
(f)155
Intensive care
99
78
52
22
19
2
2
7
281
Medical administration
29
26
31
1
10
1
5
4
107
Obstetrics and gynaecology
48
43
43
9
9
4
1
2
159
Occupational and environmental medicine
37
13
22
6
21
1
1
1
102
Ophthalmology
39
22
10
7
9
2
1
0
90
Paediatrics(a)(b)
178
131
92
42
60
2
13
5
556
Palliative medicine(a)
11
16
17
12
5
1
3
1
80
Pathology
103
81
57
19
29
5
1
6
301
Pathology and RACP (jointly)
79
66
32
14
14
1
1
6
213
Psychiatry
144
131
78
22
37
3
1
2
418
Public health medicine
25
14
9
7
6
2
8
10
81
Radiation oncology
52
28
25
7
2
2
0
6
122
Radiodiagnosis
110
96
69
40
31
6
0
12
364
Rehabilitation medicine
84
44
36
14
5
4
3
1
191
Sexual health medicine(a)
6
4
0
3
2
0
1
0
20
Sport and exercise medicine
11
13
4
0
1
1
0
0
30
Surgery
351
280
173
66
76
10
10
17
(g)983
Total
3,859
2,916
2,476
914
1,052
250
208
143
11,832

Overall, advanced trainees were reasonably well distributed across states and territories when compared with their relative proportions of the Australian population. For the larger specialties, the proportions of trainees across states and territories also roughly mirrored the relative proportions of the population in each (Table 4.14).

Table 4.14: Proportion of advanced vocational training positions/trainees by medical specialty and state/territory, 2013
Medical specialty
NSW
Vic
Qld
SA
WA
Tas
NT
ACT

(a) Includes registrars on the Independent Pathway only.
(b) Population data from ABS. 3101.0 - Australian Demographic Statistics, March 2013, released 26/09/2013.
(c) Includes ACT figures.

Source: Medical colleges and GPET
Addiction medicine
41.7
4.2
20.8
12.5
8.3
0.0
0.0
0.0
Adult medicine
31.5
30.7
17.0
9.6
6.8
1.9
0.9
1.8
Anaesthesia
30.4
23.0
23.1
7.0
10.5
2.3
1.4
2.3
Anaesthesia - pain medicine
30.8
32.3
13.8
7.7
7.7
4.6
0.0
3.1
Dermatology
38.8
26.5
20.4
10.2
4.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
Emergency medicine
27.9
24.3
24.6
7.5
10.5
2.3
1.5
1.3
General practice - GPET
(c)33.5
21.4
22.8
8.0
9.5
3.1
2.8
..
General practice - ACRRM(a)
23.9
8.4
43.2
2.6
12.9
2.6
3.2
0.6
Intensive care
35.2
27.8
18.5
7.8
6.8
0.7
0.7
2.5
Medical administration
27.1
24.3
29.0
0.9
9.3
0.9
4.7
3.7
Obstetrics and gynaecology
30.2
27.0
27.0
5.7
5.7
2.5
0.6
1.3
Occupational and environmental medicine
36.3
12.7
21.6
5.9
20.6
1.0
1.0
1.0
Ophthalmology
43.3
24.4
11.1
7.8
10.0
2.2
1.1
0.0
Paediatrics
32.0
23.6
16.5
7.6
10.8
0.4
2.3
0.9
Palliative medicine
13.8
20.0
21.3
15.0
6.3
1.3
3.8
1.3
Pathology
34.2
26.9
18.9
6.3
9.6
1.7
0.3
2.0
Pathology and RACP (jointly)
37.1
31.0
15.0
6.6
6.6
0.5
0.5
2.8
Psychiatry
34.4
31.3
18.7
5.3
8.9
0.7
0.2
0.5
Public health medicine
30.9
17.3
11.1
8.6
7.4
2.5
9.9
12.3
Radiation oncology
42.6
22.9
20.4
5.7
1.6
1.6
0.0
4.9
Radiodiagnosis
30.2
26.3
18.9
10.9
8.5
1.6
0.0
3.2
Rehabilitation medicine
44.0
23.0
18.8
7.3
2.6
2.1
1.6
0.5
Sexual health medicine
30.0
20.0
0.0
15.0
10.0
0.0
5.0
0.0
Sport and exercise medicine
36.7
43.3
13.3
0.0
3.3
3.3
0.0
0.0
Surgery
35.7
28.5
17.6
6.7
7.7
1.0
1.0
1.7
Total
32.6
24.6
20.9
7.7
8.9
2.1
1.8
1.2
Population proportion (%)(b)
32.0
24.8
20.1
7.2
10.8
2.2
1.0
1.7

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First–year Advanced Trainees

In 2013, there were 3,184 first-year advanced vocational training positions/trainees (Table 4.15). The specialty with the most first-year advanced vocational training places was general practice (1,152), followed by adult medicine (437).

Table 4.15: First-year advanced vocational positions/trainees by medical specialty and state/territory, 2013
Medical specialty
NSW
Vic
Qld
SA
WA
Tas
NT
ACT
Aust

(a) Emergency medicine and paediatrics data account for trainees undertaking paediatric emergency medicine.
(b) Includes registrars on the Independent Pathway only. These are experienced doctors and receive recognised prior learning for the first year of training.
(c) New trainees joined occupational and environmental medicine training program in 2013.
(d) Includes ACT figures.
(e) Total number across all states is 1,155 (includes double counting of some registrars).

Source: Medical colleges and GPET
Addiction medicine
5
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
7
Adult medicine
132
122
78
49
29
6
7
14
437
Anaesthesia
61
41
53
12
22
5
2
5
201
Anaesthesia - pain medicine
8
9
6
4
2
0
0
0
29
Dermatology
7
3
3
1
2
0
0
0
16
Emergency medicine(a)
93
76
91
18
30
11
7
6
332
General practice - GPET
(d)400
248
244
91
110
32
30
..
(e)1,152
General practice - ACRRM(b)
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Intensive care
36
28
19
5
7
1
0
0
96
Medical administration
11
6
10
0
1
0
4
0
32
Obstetrics and gynaecology
26
26
25
3
7
1
1
0
89
Occupational and environmental medicine(c)
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Ophthalmology
12
7
3
2
2
2
1
0
29
Paediatrics(a)
36
30
19
14
20
0
0
0
119
Palliative medicine
12
14
18
9
8
0
4
2
67
Pathology
31
12
14
3
4
0
0
1
65
Pathology and RACP (jointly)
23
14
7
4
4
0
0
2
54
Psychiatry
56
29
11
5
16
0
0
2
119
Public health medicine
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Radiation oncology
13
2
7
2
0
1
0
2
27
Radiodiagnosis
19
17
11
7
5
1
0
5
65
Rehabilitation medicine
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Sexual health medicine
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
3
Sport and exercise medicine
2
3
1
0
1
0
0
0
7
Surgery
86
59
42
17
19
4
6
5
238
Total
1,070
747
662
248
290
64
62
44
3,184

Female Trainees

Half (6,160 or 52.1%) of all advanced vocational trainees were female (Table 4.16). This proportion was far higher in some specialties, with females comprising three-fifths or more of advanced vocational trainees in sexual health medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology, rehabilitation medicine, palliative medicine, paediatrics, public health medicine, dermatology, and general practice (70.0%, 69.2%, 68.6%, 67.5%, 67.1%, 64.2%, 63.3% and 63.3% respectively).

A few of the smaller specialties showed relatively low proportions of females; ophthalmology and surgery were notable for the low proportions of female advanced trainees (27.8% and 28.1% respectively).

Table 4.16: Female advanced vocational trainees by medical specialty and state/territory, 2013
Medical specialty
NSW
Vic
Qld
SA
WA
Tas
NT
ACT
Aust

(a) Australian total differs from the sum of state/territory totals because it includes trainees in overseas placements.
(b) Emergency medicine and paediatrics data account for trainees undertaking paediatric emergency medicine.
(c) Includes registrars on the Independent Pathway only.
(d) Includes ACT figures.
(e) Total number across all states is 2,575 (includes double counting of some registrars).
(f) Includes year 3 and 4 trainees only. Trainees in year 5 (final year) do not have to be in accredited posts - instead they must have an individual program of training approved which is specific to their training needs or interests. This is often a fellowship position in Australia or overseas.

Source: Medical colleges and GPET
Addiction medicine
3
1
2
2
1
0
0
0
9
Adult medicine(a)
232
235
104
65
46
18
9
15
735
Anaesthesia
93
82
59
26
23
5
4
3
295
Anaesthesia - pain medicine
12
9
4
3
4
1
0
1
34
Dermatology
14
8
6
3
0
0
0
0
31
Emergency medicine(b)
153
141
138
38
62
9
10
3
554
General practice - GPET
(d)873
536
546
200
274
82
64
..
(e)2,547
General practice - ACRRM(c)
9
0
15
0
9
3
3
0
39
Intensive care
31
30
18
7
6
0
0
0
92
Medical administration
16
8
10
0
6
0
1
2
43
Obstetrics and gynaecology
32
30
31
6
7
2
1
1
110
Occupational and environmental medicine
10
4
5
1
4
0
0
1
25
Ophthalmology
9
3
3
3
1
1
1
0
(f)25
Paediatrics(b)
125
97
62
29
45
2
9
4
373
Palliative medicine(a)
7
13
8
7
4
1
3
1
54
Pathology
65
46
31
12
13
3
1
6
177
Pathology and RACP (jointly)
42
40
19
9
6
1
1
2
120
Psychiatry
73
70
47
13
25
0
0
2
230
Public health medicine
20
7
3
6
3
1
7
5
52
Radiation oncology
30
12
14
4
2
0
0
3
65
Radiodiagnosis
39
36
20
11
10
2
0
6
124
Rehabilitation medicine
60
33
21
12
2
1
2
0
131
Sexual health medicine(a)
4
2
0
3
2
0
0
0
14
Sport and exercise medicine
2
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
Surgery
108
86
42
17
15
2
4
2
276
Total
2,062
1,532
1,208
477
570
134
120
57
6,160

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Part–time Training

Some colleges provide the opportunity for trainees to train part-time subject to approval by the employing authority, such as the hospital or laboratory.

In 2013, there were 1,576 part-time advanced trainees across specialties. This represents just over one-eighth (13.3%) of all advanced trainees (Table 4.17).

Part-time training was most common in sexual health medicine (35.0%), general practice (25.0%) and psychiatry (18.7%).

A number of other specialties were notable for relatively small numbers of trainees undertaking part-time training. It should be noted, that the availability of part-time training and interrupted training varies across specialties. Further information on this can be found in Appendix B.

Table 4.17: Advanced vocational trainees undertaking part-time training by medical specialty and state/territory, 2013
Medical specialty
NSW
Vic
Qld
SA
WA
Tas
NT
ACT
Aust

(a) Emergency medicine and paediatrics data account for trainees undertaking paediatric emergency medicine.
(b) Includes registrars on the Independent Pathway only.
(c) Includes chapter trainees only.
(d) Includes ACT figures.
(e) Total number across all states is 1,028 (includes double counting of some registrars).
(f) Includes trainees in overseas placements.

Source: Medical colleges and GPET
Addiction medicine
3
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
5
Adult medicine
14
20
4
9
0
1
0
0
48
Anaesthesia
3
9
6
3
1
0
1
1
24
Anaesthesia - pain medicine
4
3
2
0
0
1
0
0
10
Dermatology
2
1
1
2
0
0
0
0
6
Emergency medicine(a)
64
37
43
26
18
5
0
0
193
General practice - GPET
(d)388
128
263
78
84
47
40
..
(e)1,020
General practice - ACRRM(b)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Intensive care
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
4
Medical administration
3
0
4
0
1
0
1
0
9
Obstetrics and gynaecology
0
4
3
0
1
0
0
0
8
Occupational and environmental medicine
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Ophthalmology
2
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
Paediatrics(a)
32
22
9
4
7
0
0
0
(f)75
Palliative medicine(c)
4
0
1
5
0
0
0
0
(f)11
Pathology
3
7
3
0
1
1
0
0
15
Pathology and RACP (jointly)
3
2
1
3
0
0
0
0
9
Psychiatry
28
24
15
4
4
2
1
0
78
Public health medicine
2
0
1
2
1
0
1
0
7
Radiation oncology
3
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
5
Radiodiagnosis
3
1
0
5
0
0
0
2
11
Rehabilitation medicine
10
5
8
1
1
0
0
0
25
Sexual health medicine
2
0
0
3
2
0
0
0
7
Sport and exercise medicine
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
2
Surgery
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Total
575
267
367
145
122
57
44
5
1,576

Discontinuation of Training

Trainees may discontinue training for a variety of reasons, with either the trainee officially withdrawing from the training program, or the college or training provider terminating or dismissing a trainee in accordance with college regulations or employment conditions.

In 2013, there were 188 advanced trainees who discontinued training (Table 4.18). This is an increase of 82.5% from 2012 and is more closely approaching numbers from 2010 than other recent years.

Table 4.18: Advanced vocational trainee discontinuations by state/territory, 2009–2013
NSW
Vic
Qld
SA
WA
Tas
NT
ACT
Aust

(a) Includes ACT figures for general practice.
(b) Total Advanced vocational trainee discontinuations by state/territory, 2008-2012 (excluding 1 from overseas).

Source: Medical colleges and GPET
2009
40
36
28
7
15
2
0
1
130
2010
72
58
45
10
11
3
3
11
213
2011
42
31
22
8
6
3
3
0
115
2012
(a)39
21
21
12
6
0
0
4
(b)103
2013
(a)63
37
49
12
20
2
3
4
190