Tables 4.1 and 4.2 present data on the number of basic and advanced accredited training positions in 2009 in accreditation approach. The tables demonstrate that medical colleges differ in their approaches to accrediting training, with some adopting various methods of accrediting. Only seven of the 14 medical colleges accredit positions or posts (ACD, RACGP, RACMA, RANZCO, RCPA, RANZCR and ACRRM). For these colleges the number of accredited places equates with the possible number of trainees and they are able to clearly identify the number of places available at the beginning of the year and the extent to which these are filled. Some colleges accredit facilities, including laboratories, hospitals and other sites, to undertake training, while others accredit programs that can be run in a number of sites. The actual numbers undertaking training in these training facilities or programs are usually only known later in the training year.
Available data on the number of positions and facilities or programs that have been accredited to undertake training are reported in Table 4.1 for those colleges where basic training is a requirement. All medical colleges provide some form of accredited advanced training, except for the RANZCOG. This data is presented in Table 4.2.
Table 4.1: Basic training: Positions/Posts and facilities/programs by medical specialty, 2009
Medical specialist | College | Accreditation approach | |
 | | Positions/Posts | Facilities/Programs |
| Adult medicine | RACP | | (a)106 |
| Anaesthesia | ANCZA | | 104 |
| Pain medicine | ANZCA | na | na |
| Dermatology | ACD | 37.5 | 31 |
| Emergency medicine | ACEM | | 96 |
| General practice | RACGP ACRRM | (b)735 (b)203 | na |
| Intensive care | ANZCA/RACP | | 104 |
| Medical administration | RACMA | na | na |
| Obstetrics and Gynaecology | RANZCOG | | 30 |
| Occupational and Environmental medicine | RACP | na | na |
| Ophthalmology | RANZCO | 53 | 48 |
| Paediatrics | RACP | | (c)14 |
| Pathology | RCPA | na | na |
| Psychiatry | RANZCP | na | 19 |
| Public health medicine | RACP | na | na |
| Radiation oncology | RANZCR | na | na |
| Radiodiagnosis | RANZCR | na | na |
| Rehabilitation medicine | RACP | na | na |
| Surgery(d) | RACS | .. | .. |
(a) In addition there are 43 secondment sites which are not formally accredited.
(b) These general practice posts can take both basic and advanced registrars.
(c) In addition there are 61 secondment sites which are not formally accredited.
(d) RACS only recognises accreditation from SET positions, which is by hospital posts.
Table 4.2: Advanced training: Positions/Posts and facilities/programs by medical specialty, 2009
Medical specialist | College | Accreditation approach | |
| | Positions/Posts | Facilities/Programs |
| Adult medicine | RACP | | 793 |
| Anaesthesia | ANCZA | | 106 |
| Pain medicine | ANZCA | | 20 |
| Dermatology | ACD | 37.5 | 31 |
| Emergency medicine | ACEM | | 96 |
| General practice | RACGP ACRRM | (a)275 (a)349 | |
| Intensive care | ANZCA/RACP | | 90 |
| Medical administration | RACMA | 92 | 71 |
| Obstetrics and Gynaecology(b) | RANZCOG | na | na |
| Occupational and Environmental medicine | RACP | | |
| Ophthalmology | RANZCO | (c)54 | 48 |
| Paediatrics | RACP | | 152 |
| Pathology | RCPA | 361 | 287 |
| Psychiatry | RANZCP | na | 61 |
| Public health medicine(d) | RACP | | |
| Radiation oncology | RANZCR | 101 | 17 |
| Radiodiagnosis | RANZCR | 328 | 33 |
| Rehabilitation medicine | RACP | | 90 |
| Surgery(e) | RACS | .. | .. |
(a) Advanced registrars only.
(b) RANZCOG does not accredit training sites for Elective (advanced) trainees.
(c) RANZCO final year positions are approved, but are not accredited posts.
(d) The Faculty does not offer accredited training positions but rather prospectively accredits proposed training programs. Applicants must independently secure a public health medicine position of employment and then apply to the Faculty to undertake their training program in that position. If the submitted training plan is judged by the regional committee to be suitable, then the Education Committee accredits the training program.
(e) RACS only recognises accreditation from SET positions, which is by hospital posts.
Source: Medical colleges