Paediatric Nuclear Medicine
Royal Australasian College of Physicians (Paediatrics & Child Health Division)
Competition
High
Qualification
FRACP (Paediatrics)
Training duration
Minimum 6 years total — 3 years Basic Paediatric Training (BPT) + 3 years subspecialty Advanced Training (varies by subspecialty).
Applications
BPT: state and hospital network-based selection with no single national window — timing is set by each state health service (e.g. NSW applications generally open July and close August; Queensland's 2026 RMO campaign ran 1–29 June) for a February start. The RACP registration deadlines (28 February / 31 August) are for annual re-registration within training, not the initial application. Check your target children's hospital directly.
Selection format
Hospital-network structured selection. State programs vary — Queensland uses a 7-station Virtual Multiple Mini Interview (Virtual MMI) format with panel members including senior medical officers, advanced trainees, and non-clinical representatives. Other states may use panel interviews or portfolio reviews.
When to apply
Typically PGY2–4 for BPT application. Must have general registration with the Medical Board of Australia. Paediatric rotations and an emergency paediatrics rotation are expected.
Competition
BPT is competitive at major children's hospitals (RCH Melbourne, CHW Sydney, PCH Perth, WCH Adelaide). Regional children's hospital BPT positions are more accessible. Paediatric subspecialties vary — neonatology and paediatric cardiology are very competitive.
Selection criteria
Clinical experience
Rotations, logbooks, procedures, and exposure
- Paediatric rotations — general paediatrics, neonatology, paediatric emergency medicine; at least 9 months of BPT in a Level 3 paediatric teaching hospital
- Paediatric-specific procedural skills (lumbar puncture, umbilical lines, newborn resuscitation)
Rural & regional
Rural, regional, and remote experience
Nothing captured yet — verify with RACP.
First Nations
Selection points and pathways for Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and Māori applicants
Nothing captured yet — verify with RACP.
Academic
Exams, qualifications, courses, and teaching
- FRACP Written Examination (Paediatrics) — sat annually in February, during BPT (24 months of certified Basic Training required to sit)
- FRACP Clinical Examination (Paediatrics) — held in May, completed during/at the end of BPT; both exams must be passed before entering Advanced Training
- Teaching juniors, medical students, or allied health
Publications & research
Papers, impact factor, audits, and QI
- Research or audit in paediatrics or child health
Extracurricular
Leadership and roles beyond clinical work
Nothing captured yet — verify with RACP.
Distinction
Prizes, awards, and academic standing
Nothing captured yet — verify with RACP.
Eligibility & application
Prerequisites, referees, interviews, and fees
Nothing captured yet — verify with RACP.
Entry tips
Sourced from Australian medical community discussion. Always verify with RACP.
Recent updates
Re-verified against racp.edu.au: no national BPT application window — state-set (NSW Jul–Aug; QLD June via the RMO campaign). Both FRACP Paediatrics exams (Written, February; Clinical, May) are completed during/at the end of BPT and must be passed before Advanced Training. At least 9 months of BPT in a Level 3 paediatric teaching hospital. New AT (General Paediatrics) curriculum applies from 2027 entrants. RACP-wide First Nations support: the Fee Initiative removes annual training and exam fees for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainees, plus the Indigenous Health Scholarship Program (support programs — no published selection preference; RACP is drafting culturally safe local-selection resources).
New curriculum introduced for Basic Paediatric Training from 2025. Trainees commencing BPT from 2025 follow the new curriculum; trainees who started in 2024 or earlier complete the previous PREP program.
Indicative only. Check the RACP website for current information.
Official resources
RACP Paediatrics & Child Health
Paediatric BPT overview, new curriculum, and application information
RACP Advanced Training (General Paediatrics)
General paediatrics advanced training program
RACP Application Dates
RACP registration deadlines: 28 February and 31 August (for re-registration within training)
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 Western Australia yet — the selection criteria and requirements above apply Australia-wide regardless of state. See the Queensland figures.
Community discussions
Recent discussion about Paediatric Nuclear Medicine training from Australian doctors.
Search r/ausdocs and r/doctorsofaustraliaRequirements, windows, and criteria change annually. Verify with Royal Australasian College of Physicians (Paediatrics & Child Health Division) (RACP) before making career decisions. Report an error on this page.