RACP
Medical oncologists diagnose cancer and treat it with medicines, such as chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, targeted agents and immunotherapy. They lead the multidisciplinary team and care for patients through treatment, symptom control, survivorship and the end of life.
Each state, or each training setting, selects medical oncology trainees on its own dates.
Getting a training position and joining the College program are two separate steps. Apply for a position in postgraduate year 4 at the earliest, to start Advanced Training in postgraduate year 5.
High
Total training
6 years
From the start of Basic Training, full time
After Basic Training
3 years
36 months of Advanced Training in medical oncology, at least 12 in each phase
Fellowship
Year 6
FRACP, at the end of Advanced Training
Throughout training
What every accredited medical oncology setting must give you
Stage by stage
Stage 1 of 4
Before Advanced Training
Entry follows RACP Basic Training in adult medicine.
Divisional examinations
The Divisional Written Examination and the Divisional Clinical Examination, both passed before Advanced Training
Stage 2 of 4
At least 12 months full-time equivalent
You learn how the program works and show you are ready to progress.
Training application
At the start of this phase, due 28 February for a start at the beginning of the year or 31 August for mid-year
RACP Advanced Training Orientation resource
In the first 6 months
Cultural safety
The RACP Australian Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori Cultural Competence and Cultural Safety resource, before specialty consolidation, recommended, unless done in Basic Training
Progress decision
At the end of the phase, on evidence of competence
Stage 3 of 4
At least 12 months full-time equivalent
You keep developing in medical oncology as you work toward the learning goals.
RACP Health Policy, Systems and Advocacy resource
Before transition to Fellowship, recommended, and by the end of training
Progress decision
At the end of the phase, on evidence of competence
Research project
Submitted by the end of this phase, so there is time to resubmit
Stage 4 of 4
At least 12 months full-time equivalent
You show you meet the standards and prepare for unsupervised practice.
Non-accredited positions
The Training Program Committee may allow up to 6 months in non-accredited clinical positions in this phase, case by case
Learning goals
16, rated at the end of each phase on a five-point scale
The professional activities
Team leadership, supervision and teaching, quality improvement, clinical assessment and management, acute care, longitudinal care including transitions, communication with patients, prescribing, investigations and procedures, clinic management, and critical appraisal of evidence
The knowledge guides
Foundations of oncology, oncological emergencies and acute care, management of specific malignancies, and anticancer therapies
Completion decision
Then Fellowship of the RACP
Practise this interview with each station timed. Interview practice
Postgraduate years 2 and 3
Basic Training
Research
A new competency-based curriculum applies to trainees starting Advanced Training in 2027 or later.
None available.
Australia
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Select a region to see the hospitals inside it.
Hospital locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. State boundaries from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Requirements, application windows and criteria change every year. Verify with RACP before making career decisions. Report an error on this page.
