Addiction Medicine
Royal Australasian College of Physicians
Competition
Moderate
Qualification
FRACP (Addiction Medicine)
Training duration
3 years (36 months) full-time equivalent — minimum 18 months core training, maximum 18 months non-core training
Applications
Prospective approval has two annual deadlines: 28 February (first-half or full calendar-year training) and 31 August (second-half training). Late applications accepted up to one month after the deadline, fees may apply.
Selection format
No centralised interview round — applicants secure an accredited training position first, then submit the training program for prospective approval to the Training Program Committee (TPC) – Addiction Medicine.
When to apply
Two entry pathways: after RACP Basic Training (written and clinical exams passed), or as an existing Fellow of an eligible college (e.g. ACEM, ANZCA, CICM, ACRRM, RANZCP, RACGP — others considered case-by-case).
Competition
Positions relative to applicants favour early-career doctors who demonstrate commitment to the specialty.
Selection criteria
Clinical experience
Rotations, logbooks, procedures, and exposure
- Drug and alcohol or addiction medicine rotations
- Harm reduction and pharmacotherapy understanding
Rural & regional
Rural, regional, and remote experience
Nothing captured yet — verify with RACP.
First Nations
Selection points and pathways for Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and Māori applicants
Nothing captured yet — verify with RACP.
Academic
Exams, qualifications, courses, and teaching
Nothing captured yet — verify with RACP.
Publications & research
Papers, impact factor, audits, and QI
- Research or audit in addiction medicine
Extracurricular
Leadership and roles beyond clinical work
Nothing captured yet — verify with RACP.
Distinction
Prizes, awards, and academic standing
Nothing captured yet — verify with RACP.
Eligibility & application
Prerequisites, referees, interviews, and fees
- RACP Basic Training completed OR fellowship from an eligible college (ACEM, ANZCA, Faculty of Pain Medicine, CICM, ACRRM, RANZCP, RACGP, RNZCGP — unlisted colleges considered case-by-case)
- Accredited training position secured before applying for prospective approval
- Nominated supervisors meeting RACP requirements
Entry tips
Sourced from Australian medical community discussion. Always verify with RACP.
Recent updates
Verified directly against the RACP Addiction Medicine page: confirmed duration (36 months FTE, 18 months core + up to 18 months non-core), the two annual prospective-approval deadlines (28 Feb / 31 Aug), and the existing-Fellow entry pathway with named eligible colleges.
Indicative only. Check the RACP website for current information.
Official resources
State workforce data
Queensland Health’s medi-nav is the only state health department currently publishing the workforce and selection figures this section shows. We have not verified equivalent data for Australian Capital Territory yet — the selection criteria and requirements above apply Australia-wide regardless of state. See the Queensland figures.
Community discussions
Recent discussion about Addiction Medicine training from Australian doctors.
Search r/ausdocs and r/doctorsofaustraliaRequirements, windows, and criteria change annually. Verify with Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) before making career decisions. Report an error on this page.