Haematology (Pathology)
Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia
Competition
Moderate
Qualification
FRCPA
Training duration
5 years
Applications
Varies by state — the employing laboratory or health service selects trainees, with coordinators facilitating at state/regional level. Several jurisdictions have no single intake window; some (e.g. Queensland) run centralised discipline-based recruitment rounds.
Selection format
Employer-level interview with a College-prescribed panel: the training coordinator, the head of the appointing department (or representative), and at least two other department heads. The employer participates in selection and appoints the trainee. Trainees must then register with the RCPA in an accredited position with an RCPA supervisor to sit examinations.
When to apply
Eligibility requires current general (AHPRA) medical registration and at least two years of clinical experience after the primary medical degree — so typically PGY3+ at commencement.
Competition
Pathology has more positions relative to applicants than many clinical specialties. Demonstrating genuine interest in laboratory medicine is key.
Selection criteria
Clinical experience
Rotations, logbooks, procedures, and exposure
- Laboratory rotations (if available in PGY years)
- Genuine interest in diagnostic pathology demonstrated through exposure
Rural & regional
Rural, regional, and remote experience
Nothing captured yet — verify with RCPA.
First Nations
Selection points and pathways for Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and Māori applicants
- First Nations — Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and Māori applicants who meet the eligibility criteria proceed directly to interview
Academic
Exams, qualifications, courses, and teaching
- Basic Pathological Sciences (BPS) examination — optional but strongly recommended, usually taken before or during the first year of training
- Discipline-specific Part I examination — timing varies by discipline (generally taken in or after the third year of training)
Publications & research
Papers, impact factor, audits, and QI
- Research interest — publications or presentations in pathology or basic science
Extracurricular
Leadership and roles beyond clinical work
Nothing captured yet — verify with RCPA.
Distinction
Prizes, awards, and academic standing
Nothing captured yet — verify with RCPA.
Eligibility & application
Prerequisites, referees, interviews, and fees
- Eligibility — general medical registration and a minimum of two years of post-degree clinical experience
Entry tips
Sourced from Australian medical community discussion. Always verify with RCPA.
Recent updates
Guideline currency confirmed (15 July): the "Selection of Pathology Trainees" guideline's current revision is April 2024 (review date April 2028) — the recommended criteria are unchanged from March 2022. Separately, the College published a dedicated "Selection of Genetic Pathology Trainees" policy (2/2025, May 2025) whose criteria are identical to the general guideline.
Re-verified against rcpa.edu.au: eligibility is general registration plus 2+ years post-degree clinical experience; interview panels are College-prescribed (coordinator, department head, 2+ outside heads); Part I exams are discipline-specific (not one unified exam), generally from the third year; the BPS exam is recommended early. First Nations selection provision: eligible Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori applicants proceed directly to interview — plus support via a mentoring grant (two mentors per Indigenous trainee) and an annual student scholarship. Queensland centralises recruitment by discipline.
Check the RCPA website for current subspecialty training requirements and examination schedules.
Indicative only. Check the RCPA 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 Australian Capital Territory yet — the selection criteria and requirements above apply Australia-wide regardless of state. See the Queensland figures.
Community discussions
Recent discussion about Haematology (Pathology) training from Australian doctors.
Search r/ausdocs and r/doctorsofaustraliaRequirements, windows, and criteria change annually. Verify with Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA) before making career decisions. Report an error on this page.