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What sort of doctor do you want to be? Medical specialties in Australia

Medicine

RACGP Find out more on How to be a doctor General Practitioner

Thinking about studying medicine and want to know what medical specialties are available?

For a list of medical specialties that are acknowledged by the Medical Board of Australia, click on the link and open the document “List of specialties, fields and related titles Registration Standard.”

After completing a medical degree, internship and residency, you will need to complete the vocational training in your chosen medical specialty. Following is a list of some of the specialist medical colleges where you can apply for a training position. Please note that entry into a vocational training program is often very competitive.

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

Australasian College of Sports Physicians

Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia

Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists

Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists

Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists

Royal Australasian College of Surgeons:

Royal Australian College of Medical Administrators

Royal Australian College of Physicians – become a physician

Royal Australian College of Physicians – full list of advanced training programs including: 

Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons

College of Intensive Care Medicine of Australia and New Zealand

Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists

Australasian College of Dermatologists

Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine

Australasian College for Emergency Medicine

The New South Wales Health website also has a medical career planning page on its website which lists the areas of specialization in medicine as well as data about the medical workforce in NSW.

More information about a career in medicine:

3 replies to “What sort of doctor do you want to be? Medical specialties in Australia”

  1. Firstly, look at the list of universities that DO require a UMAT score (http://umat.acer.edu.au/universities) and cross these off your list for 2016 entry (you could still sit UMAT in 2016 and apply for 2017 entry though).

    It would also be worth looking up undergraduate medicine courses at universities that you would consider applying to that don’t require a UMAT score (see this list of all the unis offering medicine here https://www.myhealthcareer.com.au/medicine/medical-schools-in-Australia).

    I believe that you can sit the UMAT during your first year in a university course. Check with ACER about when you can sit UMAT as opposed to when you would need to sit the GAMSAT.

    Have a look at our pathway infographics on becoming a doctor. There are 10 specialty areas that are covered from this link: https://www.myhealthcareer.com.au/become-a-doctor

    You should also speak with your careers advisor about what your options are, and try to get along to some university open days or make enquiries with the admissions officers at the universities you would consider applying to. If it becomes apparent that you might have to mover inter-city or inter-state ensure that you discuss this with your support crew (e.g. parents).

    Amanda – founder MHC.

  2. Hi,
    I am from India doing General Surgery. I would like to pursue Neurosurgery in Sydney. Can you please guide me through the process? Have an IELTS score of 7.

    Thank you!

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