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Pathology covers Anatomical Pathology, so this is the parent specialty entry.
RCPA
When Anatomical Pathology applications run, and what the round looks like.
Eligibility requires current general (AHPRA) medical registration and at least two years of clinical experience after the primary medical degree — so typically PGY3+ at commencement. In exceptional circumstances, applicants without two years may be considered if they can show alternative relevant experience of a similar level; Overseas Trained Specialists assessed by the College as requiring no more than two years of additional assessment/training may also apply.
Training positions and workforce figures below are limited to Queensland. Selection criteria, requirements and application dates are set by RCPA nationally and apply in every state.
Moderate
How Anatomical Pathology training is structured.
5 years
Competencies
To complete
Basic Pathological Sciences examination
Open to medical, science and dental students, interns and resident medical officers as well as registered trainees, and cheaper as a student. A pass or an exemption is required of everyone. Not a prerequisite for Part I, but required before sitting any component of Part II.
Before training starts, or early in it
Anatomical Pathology Part I
Two components. The written paper is sat online from home or a venue of your choice. The digital slides paper is online but at a local venue.
After a set period of accredited training
Anatomical Pathology Part II
Digital slides, small biopsy, special techniques and cytology, sat at a local venue. A repeat slides paper exists for a candidate who has to sit again.
Ordinarily the final year
Queensland
One set of categories across every specialty, so two can be compared. Only those with criteria recorded for this specialty are shown.
Rotations, logbooks, procedures, and exposure
Selection points and pathways for Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and Māori applicants
Exams, qualifications, courses, and teaching
Papers, impact factor, audits, and QI
Who is asked to report on you, and what they are asked
Registration mechanics and logistics not covered above
Timed steps, grouped by when each one is worth doing.
Before applying
Before the examinations
During training
After Fellowship
Queensland Health is the only state department publishing these figures so far.
A centrally coordinated Queensland Health pathway or network
Queensland pathway
Swipe to see every column
| Discipline | Selected | Specialists, Queensland | Trainees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anatomical pathology (2026) | 23 of 117 | 200 | 58 |
| Chemical pathology (2026) | 1 of 2 | 15 |
11 posts across 11 hospitals in Queensland. Each circle counts hospitals.
Central Laboratory, Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital, Queensland Medical Laboratories (QML Pathology) are not shown on the map, with no location on file. Their posts are still counted above.
Show these kinds of site
Select a region to see the hospitals inside it. A numbered circle is several too close to draw apart, so open it to zoom in.
Hospital locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. State boundaries from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Published by RCPA and the Medical Board unless stated.
Connected to this specialty by the Medical Board’s specialty structure, by college, or by a shared training pathway.
Requirements, windows, and criteria change annually. Verify with RCPA before making career decisions. Report an error on this page.
An MBBS or equivalent, registrable with AHPRA, and registration as an RCPA trainee.
An overseas trained doctor without full Australian Medical Council accreditation is not considered.
An overseas trained specialist not residing in Australia with a valid working visa is not considered.
Demonstrated academic achievement and interest in pathology.
Interpersonal skills, including working as a team member and relating to staff at all levels.
Communicating clearly and concisely in spoken and written English, including formal and informal presentation of scientific, teaching or clinical material.
Ability, interest and willingness to take part in teaching pathology and in research.
An understanding of a client-focused service, and of quality management and continuous quality improvement.
Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital Central Laboratory, Gold Coast University Hospital, Forensic and Scientific Services, Mater Hospital, Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Princess Alexandra Hospital, The Prince Charles Hospital, Cairns Hospital and Townsville Hospital.
Private and university: Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology in Brisbane and Toowoomba, Queensland Medical Laboratories, and The University of Queensland.
Australian and New Zealand citizens and permanent residents who are eligible are offered positions before those with temporary visas.
Offers are emailed shortly after interviews, with letters of appointment usually by early October.
Registrars reapply through the campaign each year to continue, but competitive interviews are not required.
| 5 |
| Forensic pathology (2026) | 2 of 5 | 14 | 1 |
|---|
| General pathology (2026) | 0 of 0 | 15 | 1 |
|---|
| Genetic pathology (2026) | 2 of 6 | 3 | 2 |
|---|
| Haematology (laboratory) (2025) | 11 of 11 | 115 | 37 |
|---|
| Immunopathology (2026) | 2 of 4 | 13 | 2 |
|---|
| Microbiology (2026) | 3 of 8 | 55 | 12 |
|---|
Appointments to the Queensland Pathology Training Programs are coordinated by the Medical Support Unit, Pathology Queensland (Health Support Queensland), working with the State Directors and the Coordinators of Education and Training of Pathology Queensland. Recruitment is centralised by discipline or sub-specialty rather than by facility, so you apply to a discipline state-wide, not to a hospital
Sequencing matters — you must be employed in a training position at an accredited site before you register with the college, so the job comes first and college registration follows
Anatomical pathology is by far the largest intake in the Queensland source — 117 eligible applicants and 23 selected, more eligible applicants than every other discipline combined
General pathology ran no effective round in 2026 — no eligible applicants and none selected
The laboratory haematology figures above are for 2025; every other discipline is 2026. They are shown in their own published year rather than restated as a single round
Figures are not summed or averaged across the disciplines, because they cover different years and different programs — a combined total would describe no real selection round
Queensland Health, medi-nav, 31 July 2026. Selection numbers are for first-year entry and vary year to year.