Dermatology
Australasian College of Dermatologists
Competition
Very high
Qualification
FACD
Training duration
4 years
Applications
Applications close early April for the following year's program (2027 program: closed 1 April 2026, 11:59pm). Interview notifications are emailed in July. The previously published June–August window was wrong — that is the interview period, not the application window.
Selection format
Five-stage national selection: (1) eligibility check, (2) shortlisting by CV score ranking, (3) standardised reference checks for shortlisted applicants, (4) a structured interview — officially the Structured Interview Assessment, delivered as multiple mini-interview stations on a designated weekend in August (progression to interview notified in July), (5) final selection combining CV + interview scores, reference reports, state preferences, and available positions. The published CV-scoring rubric point values are not public.
When to apply
Eligible from PGY2 onward (accredited PGY1–2 with broad exposure, preferably including general medicine and general surgery terms; applications accepted while completing PGY2). Most successful applicants are PGY3–7.
Competition
One of the most competitive specialties in Australia with very few training positions nationally (ACD does not publish a fixed national number).
Selection criteria
Clinical experience
Rotations, logbooks, procedures, and exposure
- Dermatology clinical exposure
- Pathology understanding (dermatopathology)
Rural & regional
Rural, regional, and remote experience
Nothing captured yet — verify with ACD.
First Nations
Selection points and pathways for Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and Māori applicants
- First Nations — ACD offers a designated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander training position for an applicant who meets the selection requirements
Academic
Exams, qualifications, courses, and teaching
Nothing captured yet — verify with ACD.
Publications & research
Papers, impact factor, audits, and QI
- Research publications — widely regarded as important by applicants, though ACD's CV-scoring point values are not published
- Audit in dermatology
Extracurricular
Leadership and roles beyond clinical work
Nothing captured yet — verify with ACD.
Distinction
Prizes, awards, and academic standing
- Strong academic record
Eligibility & application
Prerequisites, referees, interviews, and fees
- Eligibility — accredited PGY1–2 with broad discipline exposure (preferably general medicine and general surgery); may apply while completing PGY2
Entry tips
Sourced from Australian medical community discussion. Always verify with ACD.
Recent updates
Current selection policy identified (14 July): TPED024 version 3 (January 2026, review December 2027). Its CV assessment now lists SIX categories — Academic Performance; Employment History/Clinical experience; Demonstrated interest in Dermatology; Academic presentations, publications and research; Professional Development (conferences, workshops, short courses, other qualifications — added after the February 2024 edition); Community and leadership. Still no published point values. The intoSET calculator was restructured to the six-category policy.
Re-verified against dermcoll.edu.au: application window corrected — 2027 program applications closed 1 April 2026 (the previous June–August claim was the interview period, not the application window). Selection is a five-stage national process with state preferences in final selection; no situational judgement test found. First Nations: ACD publishes a designated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander training position, plus a mentoring/wellbeing program and education grant (verify exact wording on dermcoll.edu.au — page access was restricted during verification). "Research heavily weighted" could not be confirmed against a published rubric and is now framed as applicant-community consensus.
Check the ACD website for current training positions and any changes to selection criteria.
Indicative only. Check the ACD 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 New South Wales yet — the selection criteria and requirements above apply Australia-wide regardless of state. See the Queensland figures.
Community discussions
Recent discussion about Dermatology training from Australian doctors.
Search r/ausdocs and r/doctorsofaustraliaRequirements, windows, and criteria change annually. Verify with Australasian College of Dermatologists (ACD) before making career decisions. Report an error on this page.