Dermatology

Training year

44 weeks

In accredited positions at least, in each training year

Leave

8 weeks

Each year, 5 scheduled and 3 unscheduled, beside up to 5 days of approved education

Overseas

12 months

At most, in one continuous period in an accredited overseas position

Private practice

6 months

At most in one placement, unless the College makes an exception

• Years 1 to 4 are training years, each from the first Monday in February. You move up once a year's time is complete and its in-training assessments are satisfactory
• Your state's Director of Training allocates your positions and rotations, through city, rural, large and small hospitals and private practice

• Accredited sites54 in Australia, in public and private hospitals and private practices, and 6 positions overseas
• Specialist Training Program33 positions outside the traditional public teaching hospitals, funded by the Commonwealth. Each spends at least half its time in a private or rural setting, and every trainee has the chance to train in one
• Overseas positions12 months each, at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford, St John's Institute of Dermatology, St George's Hospital and University College Hospital in London, and the National Skin Centre in Singapore
• National Skin CentreTwo of the overseas positions, with little procedural training
• Rural loadingRural positions carry a loading toward travel, accommodation and relocation

What every accredited dermatology position must give you each week

General clinics

4

Supervised clinics a week at least, with up to 2 more unsupervised

Surgical sessions

1

A week at least, with a consultant on site for one a fortnight at least

New patients

10 to 12

A week at least, with 20 review patients, and no more than 10 to 12 in a three-hour clinic

Dermatopathology

1

Teaching session a week at least

• A supervised clinic has a consultant there with no more than five trainees, and sees new and review patients with any skin condition, on referral
• A paediatric dermatology clinic, a three-hour session in private practice or a subspecialty clinic counts as one general clinic. So does one telehealth session a week, if it runs three hours with at least five patients and is not by phone alone

Clinical supervisors

2

At least, Fellows of the College or equivalent, with one a Fellow

Supervisor of training

1

In each position, a Fellow who has been a clinical supervisor for 3 years

Trainees

5

At most for one supervisor at a time. Three to a clinical supervisor is recommended

• A clinical supervisor is a dermatologist who works with you in clinic and assesses your work. Only one at least 2 years past Fellowship can assess you
• Your supervisor of training plans each rotation with you, chooses the clinical supervisors who assess you, and supervises you at least one clinic a fortnight
• Your state's Director of Training allocates your positions and reviews your progress with you once a year

Fellowship ExaminationThe College's final examination, set by its National Examinations Committee against the whole curriculum, which you pass to become a Fellow

4

Attempts within the 10 years, sat in Year 4 at the earliest

Written papers

4

Of three hours each, two short answer and two multiple choice, passed before the vivas

Viva weekends

2

Histopathology and short case vivas, then long case and procedural vivas

• You sit it in Year 4 once your research is complete, every in-training assessment to the end of Year 3 is satisfactory, and your Director of Training has signed off your portfolio
• The examination period runs from June to November. In 2026 the written papers were in early June and the vivas in July and August

Case-based discussionsA structured talk with a supervisor about a case you managed, testing your reasoning and decisions rather than your knowledge

4

Each year, two in each six months

Procedural assessmentsA supervisor watches you perform a dermatology procedure, such as a biopsy, an excision or cryotherapy, and gives you feedback

4

Each year in Years 1 to 3, and 3 in Year 4

Clinical evaluation exercisesA supervisor watches you see a new patient, from the history and consent to the examination, and gives you feedback

3

Each year, with a full skin examination among them in Year 1

In-training assessmentsYour clinical supervisors' confidential reports on a rotation, discussed with your supervisor of training, which must be satisfactory for you to move up

2

Each year at least, at 6 and 12 months

• You repeat any work-based assessment until it is satisfactory, with no penalty for the attempts

Sign-off

1 week

At most after each procedure, by a supervisor at least 2 years past Fellowship

• Log every procedure from the start of training with the patient's sex, age and initials only

Research points

10

By the end of Year 3, from the projects you choose

Journal club presentations

2

By the end of Year 3, each a critical appraisal of a paper you choose

Journal club sessions

2

Attended each year to the end of Year 3, besides your own

Scientific meetings

2

College Annual Scientific Meetings, or approved equivalents, in Years 1 to 3

• You earn points by presenting the work at a local research and audit meeting or the Annual Scientific Meeting, where an assessor rates it competent
• From before training, a first-author original paper or a completed master's degree earns up to 5 points, and a PhD all 10, if you apply within 7 weeks of starting