RACP
Clinical geneticists diagnose and manage genetic conditions, and counsel patients and their families about the risk and inheritance of each condition.
No information available.
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.
Moderate
Choose a pathway
Total training
6 years
From the start of Basic Training, full time
After Basic Training
3 years
36 months of Advanced Training in clinical genetics, at least 12 in each phase
Fellowship
Year 6
FRACP, at the end of Advanced Training
Throughout training
What every accredited clinical genetics setting must give you
Stage by stage
Stage 1 of 4
Before Advanced Training
Entry follows RACP Basic Training, in adult medicine or in paediatrics and child health.
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
Your stream sets how your 36 months divide. Metabolic and cancer genetics are subspecialties of clinical genetics, not specialties in their own right, and the Human Genetics Society of Australasia certifies subspecialists in either.
Assesses, diagnoses, counsels and manages individuals and families with genetic disorders, in general, prenatal and specialty genetics clinics.
At least 30 months of core general clinical genetics
At most 6 months of non-core training
Diagnoses and manages inborn errors of metabolism, such as phenylketonuria and urea cycle disorders, for inpatients and in metabolic clinics.
At least 24 months of core metabolic genetics
At least 12 months of core general clinical genetics
Assesses and manages cancer predisposition syndromes, through genomic and predictive testing, cancer risk assessment and risk management, in family cancer clinics.
At least 18 months of core cancer genetics
At least 12 months of core general clinical genetics
At most 6 months of non-core training
Laboratory experience once, in core or non-core time
A 3 to 6 month laboratory position, or a week each in cytogenetics and biochemical genetics laboratories and 2 weeks in a diagnostic molecular laboratory
Stage 3 of 4
At least 12 months full-time equivalent
You keep developing in clinical genetics 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 in your stream and prepare for unsupervised practice.
Learning goals
17, rated at the end of each phase on a five-point scale
The professional activities
Team leadership, supervision, quality improvement, clinical assessment, transitions in care, longitudinal care, communication with patients, investigations, and clinic management
The knowledge guides
Clinical sciences, laboratory based clinical genomics, cancer genetics, common adult and paediatric genetic conditions, subspecialty genetics, genetic counselling and metabolic genetics
Completion decision
Then Fellowship of the RACP
Medical genomics or biochemical genetics trained alongside clinical genetics.
Total training
8 years
From the start of Basic Training, in the published full-time example
After Basic Training
5 years
36 months of clinical genetics and 30 months of laboratory training, 6 months counting to both
Fellowship
Years 7 and 8
FRACP at the end of year 7, when the clinical genetics months are complete, and FRCPA at the end of year 8
Throughout training
Stage by stage
Stage 1 of 6
Years 1 to 3
Entry follows RACP Basic Training, in adult medicine or in paediatrics and child health.
Divisional examinations
The Divisional Written Examination and the Divisional Clinical Examination, in year 3
Stage 2 of 6
12 months
Core clinical genetics, and the decision to train reciprocally.
RCPA application
During this first year of Advanced Training
University genetics course
Approved, passed by the end of training
Your stream sets how your 36 months divide. Metabolic and cancer genetics are subspecialties of clinical genetics, not specialties in their own right, and the Human Genetics Society of Australasia certifies subspecialists in either.
Assesses, diagnoses, counsels and manages individuals and families with genetic disorders, in general, prenatal and specialty genetics clinics.
At least 30 months of core general clinical genetics
At most 6 months of non-core training
Diagnoses and manages inborn errors of metabolism, such as phenylketonuria and urea cycle disorders, for inpatients and in metabolic clinics.
At least 24 months of core metabolic genetics
At least 12 months of core general clinical genetics
Assesses and manages cancer predisposition syndromes, through genomic and predictive testing, cancer risk assessment and risk management, in family cancer clinics.
At least 18 months of core cancer genetics
At least 12 months of core general clinical genetics
At most 6 months of non-core training
Laboratory experience once, in core or non-core time
A 3 to 6 month laboratory position, or a week each in cytogenetics and biochemical genetics laboratories and 2 weeks in a diagnostic molecular laboratory
Stage 3 of 6
12 months
Full-time laboratory training. The RACP counts 6 months as non-core clinical genetics training.
Basic Pathological Sciences examination
A pass or an exemption before Part II
Stage 4 of 6
12 months
Half core clinical genetics, half laboratory training.
Part I examination
In the published example, though eligibility comes with 24 months of laboratory training
Stage 5 of 6
12 months
Core clinical genetics and the research project, completing the 36 months.
Completion decision
Then FRACP
Research project
Counts to both colleges
Stage 6 of 6
12 months
Full-time laboratory training, completing the 30 months.
Part II examination
An oral, with the research project report due before it
FRCPA
Practise this interview with each station timed. Interview practice
Medical school
Postgraduate years 2 and 3
Basic Training
Courses
A new curriculum starts for trainees beginning Advanced Training in 2027 or later, in three phases with learning and observation captures. Earlier starters stay on PREP.
Under the new curriculum, case reports fall from 12 to 6, two in each phase.
None available.
None available.
Requirements, application windows and criteria change every year. Verify with RACP before making career decisions. Report an error on this page.
