RACP
Addiction medicine specialists treat people with alcohol, drug, gambling and gaming problems. They manage withdrawal, prescribe for opioid dependence, and advise other doctors and policy makers.
Each state, or each training setting, selects addiction medicine trainees on its own dates.
Getting a training position and joining the College program are two separate steps. Through Basic Training, apply for a position in postgraduate year 4 at the earliest, to start Advanced Training in postgraduate year 5. A Fellow of an eligible college applies after Fellowship.
Moderate
Total training
6 years
Through Basic Training, full time
After Basic Training
3 years
36 months of Advanced Training, at least 12 in each phase, or after another Fellowship
Fellowship
Year 6
FAChAM, at the end of Advanced Training
Throughout training
What every accredited addiction medicine setting must give you
Stage by stage
Stage 1 of 4
Before Advanced Training
The way into Advanced Training: RACP Basic Training, or Fellowship of an eligible college.
Divisional examinations
The Divisional Written Examination and the Divisional Clinical Examination, both passed before Advanced Training, on the Basic Training route
Stage 2 of 4
At least 12 months full-time equivalent
You learn how the program works and show you are ready to progress.
Training application
At the start of this phase, due 28 February for a start at the beginning of the year or 31 August for mid-year
By the end, with indirect supervision
Communication, assessment and treatment planning, prescribing, and supervision and teaching
By the end, with direct supervision
Team leadership, acute withdrawal management and substance use in pregnancy
RACP Advanced Training Orientation resource
In the first 6 months
Cultural safety
The RACP Australian Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori Cultural Competence and Cultural Safety resource, before specialty consolidation, recommended, unless done in Basic Training
Progress decision
At the end of the phase, on evidence of competence
Stage 3 of 4
At least 12 months full-time equivalent
You keep developing in addiction medicine as you work toward the learning goals.
By the end, most learning goals with supervision at a distance, and clinic management with indirect supervision
RACP Health Policy, Systems and Advocacy resource
Before transition to Fellowship, recommended, and by the end of training
Progress decision
At the end of the phase, on evidence of competence
Research project
Submitted by the end of this phase, so there is time to resubmit
Stage 4 of 4
At least 12 months full-time equivalent
You show you meet the standards and prepare for practice without supervision.
Learning goals
23
By the end, every learning goal well enough to supervise others, except clinic management, with supervision at a distance
Completion decision
Then Fellowship of the Australasian Chapter of Addiction Medicine
Practise this interview with each station timed. Interview practice
Postgraduate years 2 and 3
Basic Training
Clinical experience
Research
Trainees starting from 2026 follow the new addiction medicine curriculum. Earlier starters stay on PREP.
Fellows in Australia
175
At 31 December 2025
One of the smallest specialties in the country.
| Jurisdiction | Fellows |
|---|---|
| Australian Capital Territory | 2 |
| New South Wales | 84 |
| Northern Territory | 3 |
| Queensland | 23 |
| South Australia | 18 |
| Tasmania | 4 |
| Victoria | 25 |
| Western Australia | 16 |
| Australia, total | 175 |
Source: Australian Government Department of Health. Medical Education and Training (2025), Chapter 4: Fellows, College Fellows by state, as at 31 December 2025.
None available.
Australia
Show these kinds of site
Select a region to see the hospitals inside it.
Hospital locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. State boundaries from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Requirements, application windows and criteria change every year. Verify with RACP before making career decisions. Report an error on this page.
