Clinical Genetics
Royal Australasian College of Physicians (optional joint clinical genetics and genetic pathology training with the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia)
Competition
Moderate
Qualification
FRACP (or dual FRACP/FRCPA)
Training duration
Basic Physician Training or Paediatrics and Child Health training (3 years) plus 3 years of Advanced Training in clinical genetics (36 months FTE: at least 30 months core, changing to 24 from the 2027 curriculum) — about 6 years to FRACP. A joint RACP/RCPA genetic-pathology arrangement adds laboratory training and RCPA exams for dual FRACP and FRCPA (about 8 years total).
Applications
Entry is after Basic Physician Training (adult medicine or paediatrics and child health) — there is no single national scored round, and RACP states it is not involved in recruiting or selecting trainees. RACP registration by the twice-yearly deadlines (28 February and 31 August) is administrative; Advanced Training positions are secured at hospital or network level. Victoria and Tasmania run a centralised PMCV match that does include clinical genetics; elsewhere, apply directly to the hospital genetics unit. Check your target state and department.
Selection format
There is no single national scored CV matrix for clinical genetics; RACP is not involved in selection. The gateway is completing Basic Physician Training and passing both FRACP Divisional Examinations, after which positions are filled locally. One documented example is the Victoria/Tasmania PMCV match: a single combined panel (two representatives from each service a candidate applies to) interviews all applicants, candidates and services each rank preferences, and a computer match allocates one offer per matched candidate. Everywhere else, trainees apply and interview directly with the individual hospital genetics unit.
When to apply
Entry is typically PGY5 or later: after 3 years of Basic Physician Training (adult medicine) or Paediatrics and Child Health training, having passed both FRACP Divisional Examinations, holding general (unconditional) AHPRA registration, and having secured an accredited Advanced Training position.
Competition
Clinical genetics is a small specialty — professional bodies count only around 130 to 200 specialists and trainees nationally — with very few funded posts (Victoria fields roughly 8 full-time-equivalent positions across four services). A long-recognised genetics workforce shortage means demand for qualified applicants has generally kept pace, so it is not as oversubscribed as its tiny numbers might suggest; no national applicant-to-position ratio is published.
Selection criteria
Clinical experience
Rotations, logbooks, procedures, and exposure
- Three streams — choose general clinical genetics, metabolic genetics (24 core months), or cancer genetics (18 core months), each with its own clinic and laboratory mix
- Clinical experience — core training needs at least 3 genetics clinics a week (general, prenatal, specialty), weekly laboratory liaison, and dedicated cytogenetics, molecular, and biochemical laboratory time
- Accredited sites — core training counts only at RACP-accredited settings, with at least 24 months in Australia or New Zealand (for trainees from 2022)
- Assessments — 4 case-based discussions a year, 12 satisfactory case reports over training (2 a year must address genomics), and 2 supervisor reports a year
- Joint pathway — a RACP/RCPA genetic-pathology reciprocal arrangement adds 30+ months of laboratory training and the RCPA exams for dual FRACP and FRCPA; it must be entered early and is closed once you hold FRACP
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
- First Nations — a cultural safety course is mandatory from the 2023 intake, and the RACP Fee Reimbursement Initiative waives training and exam fees for eligible Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, Māori and Pasifika trainees
Academic
Exams, qualifications, courses, and teaching
- Gateway — complete RACP Basic Physician Training (adult medicine) or Paediatrics and Child Health training and pass both FRACP Divisional Examinations before starting Advanced Training in clinical genetics
- Subspecialty certification — metabolic and cancer genetics are not separately registrable specialties; HGSA (not RACP) certifies subspecialists in those two areas
Publications & research
Papers, impact factor, audits, and QI
- Research — an Advanced Training Research Project is compulsory before Fellowship (trainees who started from 2017)
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
- Advanced Training length — 3 years (36 months FTE): at least 30 months core plus up to 6 months non-core (changing to 24 core and 12 non-core from the 2027 curriculum)
- Registration and fees — register with RACP by 28 February or 31 August; the 2026 Advanced Training annual fee is AUD $4,230
Entry tips
Sourced from Australian medical community discussion. Always verify with RACP.
Recent updates
Advance notice: a new clinical genetics curriculum takes effect for trainees starting from 2027 — the core-training minimum drops from 30 to 24 months, the non-core maximum rises from 6 to 12 months, and required case reports reduce from 12 to 6.
RACP applied a 4% fee increase for the 2026 training year; the Advanced Training annual fee is AUD $4,230 (up from $4,067 in 2025).
Indicative only. Check the RACP website for current information.
Official resources
RACP Advanced Training in Clinical Genetics
Program page — entry requirements, duration, streams, curriculum, and forms
RACP/RCPA Clinical Genetics and Genetic Pathology Reciprocal Arrangement
The joint FRACP + FRCPA genetic-pathology pathway in detail
RACP Application Dates
Registration deadlines — 28 February and 31 August each year
Human Genetics Society of Australasia (HGSA)
Peak genetics society — subspecialty certification and professional resources
Medical Board — Specialist Registration
MBA specialist registration pathways
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 Western Australia yet — the selection criteria and requirements above apply Australia-wide regardless of state. See the Queensland figures.
Community discussions
Recent discussion about Clinical Genetics training from Australian doctors.
Search r/ausdocs and r/doctorsofaustraliaRequirements, windows, and criteria change annually. Verify with Royal Australasian College of Physicians (optional joint clinical genetics and genetic pathology training with the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia) (RACP) before making career decisions. Report an error on this page.