Occupational and Environmental Medicine

An occupational and environmental physician applies high-level medical skills to the interface between a person’s work, exposures and his or her health. They require understanding of harmful exposures, laws that bear on exposure control and employment opportunity, and how to gain influence within organisations to prevent work-related afflictions and to promote wellness.

Minimum Time to Completion: 5.5 years from graduation

Details

How to Apply

Eligibility Requirements

The Occupational and Environmental Medicine Training Program has 3 stages:

Basic Stage (Stage A)
Advanced Stage (Stage B)
Advanced Stage (Stage C)

Entry to the Occupational and Environmental Medicine Training Program can occur at the beginning of the Basic Stage (Stage A) or at the beginning of the first Advanced Stage (Stage B).

Stage A eligibility

hold general medical registration with the Medical Board of Australia if undertaking training in Australia or medical registration with general scope of practice with the Medical Council of New Zealand if undertaking training in Aotearoa New Zealand
have completed at least 2 full-time years of postgraduate general clinical experience
have applied for (with the intent of enrolling in and continuing) or completed an appropriate postgraduate course at diploma level or higher in occupational and environmental health or a related field deemed appropriate by the Faculty Training Committee — see postgraduate qualification guidelines
have an accredited position of employment that requires on average a minimum of 20 hours of occupational and environmental medicine practice per week
– have reached an agreement with an occupational and environmental medicine Fellow to be your Educational Supervisor and have this approved by the regional Training Program Director.

Stage B eligibility
To apply for Stage B, applicants must have finished an Advanced Life Support course as well as either:

completed Stage A of the Occupational and Environmental Medicine Advanced Training Program
completed RACP Basic Training in Adult Internal Medicine, including the RACP Written and Clinical Examinations
completed Modules 1 and 2 of the General Rehabilitation Medicine Advanced Training Program
have Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
have Fellowship of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners
have Fellowship of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (applicable from 31 March 2019 application round)

Application Process

Applicants who want to join or progress through the Occupational and Environmental Medicine Advanced Training Program and meet the eligibility criteria must complete an application form. Consultation with the Regional Training Program Director (TPD), who will act as a point of contact and provide assistance with the application process, is suggested.

Program Structure

The Occupational and Environmental Medicine Training Program has 3 stages:

Basic Stage (Stage A) – 12 months minimum
Advanced Stage (Stage B) – 24 months minimum
Advanced Stage (Stage C) – 6 months minimum

The Occupational and Environmental Medicine Training Program is competency-based and focused on achievement of learning rather than on time spent in the program.

Stage A requires the completion of:

Advanced Life Support course
AFOEM Stage A Written Examination

Stage B requires the completion of:

All relevant tertiary qualifications
AFOEM Stage B Written Examination
AFOEM Stage B Practical Examination

Stage C requires the completion of:

2 x Annual Training Meeting attendance
Advanced Training Research Project
Ramazzini Presentation
Written Communication Portfolio

More information can be found here.

Fees

Annual Fee:

AUD $3,690.00 (reduced fee of 50% for trainees in research)

Exam Fee:

Written examinations: AUD $2,031.00
Basic Training Clinical Examination: AUD $3,039.00
Faculty Clinical Examinations: AUD $3,039.00

Admission to Fellowship Fee:

AUD $1,344.00

Useful Resources / Courses / Conferences

Research relevant to occupational and environmental medicine, or related fields
PhD
Fellowship in occupational and environmental medicine sub-specialties
An appropriate postgraduate course at diploma level or above in occupational and environmental health or a related field deemed appropriate by the overseeing committee.

Key Information

PGY Intake Year (earliest)

PGY3

Training Duration (minimum)

3.5 years FTE

General Progression

Note that this represents one of the quickest routes to specialty training, and may not reflect additional HMO or unaccredited years of training.

Year 1

Internship

Year 2

BPT / General Year

Year 3

Commence Occupational and Environmental Medicine Advanced Training

Part Time Option: Yes

Last Updated: January 30, 2023

The information found in this portal has been painstakingly collated by JMOs for JMOs, and is intended as a career progression guide for every aspiring JMO. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and currency of the information presented on this website, but recent changes made by Specialist Medical Colleges may not be reflected in real time; please consult with the respective Specialist Medical College websites for the latest information. PMCV and JMO Victoria accepts no responsibility for inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. Please feel free to contact our team with suggestions or comments via the feedback form.