Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Royal Australasian College of Physicians (Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine)
Competition
Moderate
Qualification
FRACP (Occupational Medicine) / FAFOEM
Training duration
3.5 years (42 months) FTE — Stage A (minimum 12 months) + Stage B (minimum 24 months) + Stage C (minimum 6 months)
Applications
Two RACP application entry periods per year: (1) Early December to 28 February — for trainees entering mid-year. (2) Early July to 31 August — for trainees entering at the beginning of the following year. Applications submitted through the RACP Training Management Platform (TMP).
Selection format
Portfolio and supervisor-based entry — not a competitive MMI-style interview. Assessment is through workplace-based training with an AFOEM-accredited supervisor.
When to apply
Typically PGY3+ with BPT or equivalent. Work health and safety experience is valued.
Competition
Less competitive than most physician subspecialties. Industry, workplace health, and medicolegal contexts provide unique career paths not available in hospital-based specialties.
Selection criteria
Clinical experience
Rotations, logbooks, procedures, and exposure
- Occupational medicine clinical exposure and workplace health assessment
- Understanding of workers' compensation, medicolegal frameworks, and occupational health legislation
Rural & regional
Rural, regional, and remote experience
Nothing captured yet — verify with RACP / AFOEM.
First Nations
Selection points and pathways for Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and Māori applicants
Nothing captured yet — verify with RACP / AFOEM.
Academic
Exams, qualifications, courses, and teaching
- Postgraduate qualification — Graduate Diploma (or higher) in occupational/environmental health or medicine, or an equivalent course covering epidemiology/biostatistics, environmental health, and occupational health subjects
- AFOEM Stage A Written Examination — sat during training (minimum 6 months of certified Stage A training required to sit)
Publications & research
Papers, impact factor, audits, and QI
Nothing captured yet — verify with RACP / AFOEM.
Extracurricular
Leadership and roles beyond clinical work
Nothing captured yet — verify with RACP / AFOEM.
Distinction
Prizes, awards, and academic standing
Nothing captured yet — verify with RACP / AFOEM.
Eligibility & application
Prerequisites, referees, interviews, and fees
- Completion of BPT or equivalent physician training pathway
- Accredited training position with an AFOEM-certified supervisor
Entry tips
Sourced from Australian medical community discussion. Always verify with RACP / AFOEM.
Recent updates
Re-verified against racp.edu.au: total training is 42 months FTE (Stage A 12 + Stage B 24 + Stage C 6) — corrected from the previous "3 years". Entry also requires a Graduate Diploma (or higher) in occupational/environmental health or an equivalent course. Stage A Written Exam: 120 MCQs over 3 hours; next sitting 5 September 2026; minimum 6 months certified Stage A training to sit.
New curriculum for Occupational and Environmental Medicine AT implemented from 2026. AFOEM Stage A Written Examination scheduled 5 September 2026.
Indicative only. Check the RACP / AFOEM 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 Northern Territory yet — the selection criteria and requirements above apply Australia-wide regardless of state. See the Queensland figures.
Community discussions
Recent discussion about Occupational and Environmental Medicine training from Australian doctors.
Search r/ausdocs and r/doctorsofaustraliaRequirements, windows, and criteria change annually. Verify with Royal Australasian College of Physicians (Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine) (RACP / AFOEM) before making career decisions. Report an error on this page.