Rehabilitation Medicine
Royal Australasian College of Physicians (Australasian Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine)
Competition
Moderate
Qualification
FAFRM
Training duration
4 years (48 months) FTE — minimum 36 months core + maximum 12 months non-core; from 2022, at least 2 different training settings
Applications
Entry applications are due at least 3 months before commencing training. Within training, prospective approval has the standard RACP deadlines: 28 February (first-half or full-year training) and 31 August (second-half training); late applications accepted up to one month after, fees may apply.
Selection format
No College interview — the College is not involved in recruitment; selection happens at individual AFRM-accredited training sites. Once appointed, the training program is submitted to the College for approval.
When to apply
Entry (PREP pathway) requires general medical registration and 2 full-time-equivalent years of postgraduate supervised training in general medical and surgical areas within the last 5 years, plus documented appointment to an AFRM-accredited training position. Trainees starting from 2024 follow the new curriculum entry requirements.
Competition
Fewer applicants relative to positions compared to other physician subspecialties.
Selection criteria
Clinical experience
Rotations, logbooks, procedures, and exposure
- Rehabilitation rotations
- Understanding of ICF framework (functioning, disability, health)
- Multidisciplinary team collaboration
Rural & regional
Rural, regional, and remote experience
Nothing captured yet — verify with RACP / AFRM.
First Nations
Selection points and pathways for Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and Māori applicants
Nothing captured yet — verify with RACP / AFRM.
Academic
Exams, qualifications, courses, and teaching
- AFRM Entry Phase Examination — 10-station OSCE (introduced 2025, replacing the Module 2 Clinical Assessment); must be passed before progressing to year 3; maximum 3 combined attempts; 2026 sitting 22 August (AUD $3,484)
- Fellowship Written and Clinical Examinations — completed in years 3–4
- Advanced Life Support course and RACP Cultural Safety online course (2023+ trainees), plus external training modules during training
Publications & research
Papers, impact factor, audits, and QI
- Research or audit in rehabilitation
Extracurricular
Leadership and roles beyond clinical work
Nothing captured yet — verify with RACP / AFRM.
Distinction
Prizes, awards, and academic standing
Nothing captured yet — verify with RACP / AFRM.
Eligibility & application
Prerequisites, referees, interviews, and fees
- Eligibility — general medical registration, 2 FTE years of postgraduate supervised general medical/surgical training within the last 5 years, and appointment to an AFRM-accredited position
Entry tips
Sourced from Australian medical community discussion. Always verify with RACP / AFRM.
Recent updates
Entry fully re-verified against racp.edu.au (replacing the previous "contact the chapter" placeholder): 4-year (48-month) program, no College interview (site-based selection), entry applications due 3+ months before commencing, AFRM Entry Phase Examination introduced 2025 (2026: applications closed 21 April, exam 22 August at Royal North Shore Hospital, fee AUD $3,484). New-curriculum Year 1 trainees from 2026 use the Training Management Platform.
Indicative only. Check the RACP / AFRM 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 New South Wales yet — the selection criteria and requirements above apply Australia-wide regardless of state. See the Queensland figures.
Community discussions
Recent discussion about Rehabilitation 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 Rehabilitation Medicine) (RACP / AFRM) before making career decisions. Report an error on this page.