Palliative Medicine

A palliative care physician is a specialist medical doctor who provides comfort-based care for patients suffering from advanced disease or a terminal illness, with the aim of improving quality of life, without a curative intent. Palliative care aims to relieve patients of physical, psychologogical and emotional symptoms of the dying process and incorporates a multi-disclipinary approach that includes cultural, spiritual and social support for patients, their families and care-givers.

Minimum Time to Completion: 7 years from graduation

Details

How to Apply

Eligibility Requirements

RACP Basic Trainees

Adult Medicine and Paediatrics & Child Health streams

Basic Trainees applying must have:

completed RACP Basic Training, including Written and Clinical Examinations
a current medical registration
been appointed to an appropriate Advanced Training position

Already a Fellow

Adult Medicine stream only

You can apply to enter Advanced Training in Palliative Medicine if you:

hold a Fellowship from an eligible medical college
have a current medical registration
have been appointed to an appropriate Advanced Training position

New and current trainees need to apply for Advanced Training each year.

Application Process

Applicants must first apply for and be accepted for an Advanced Training Position.

Program Structure

Adult Medicine Trainees undergo 36 months of certified training time comprising:

24 months of core training comprising 6 months of inpatient unit/hospice, 6 months of community setting, 6 months of teaching hospital/consultation, 6 months of cancer care setting
12 months of non-core training comprising 6 months of palliative medicine variable or related specialty, 6 months of elective training

fter 36 months of certified training time, you will have completed:

24 months of core training
- 6 months of inpatient unit/hospice
- 6 months of community setting
- 6 months of teaching hospital/consultation
- 6 months of cancer care setting
12 months of non-core training
- 6 months of palliative medicine variable or related specialty
- 6 months of elective training
1 x Advanced Training Research Project
1 x Case Study
Australian Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori Cultural Competence and Cultural Safety online course (trainees who commenced in 2023 onwards)
Communication Skills Workshop (recommended)
RACP Online Learning: Pain Management modules

For more information click here.

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Paediatrics and Child Health Trainees undergo 36 months of certified training time comprising:

24 months core training
6 months in relevant specialty training
6 months in non-core training

After 36 months of certified training time, you will have completed:

30 months of core training
6 months of non-core elective training
1 x Advanced Training Research Project (trainees who commenced in 2017 onwards)
1 x Case Study
1 x Palliative Medicine Research Project (trainees who commenced before 2017)
Australian Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori Cultural Competence and Cultural Safety online course (trainees who commenced in 2023 onwards)
Communication Skills Workshop (recommended)
Developmental and Psychosocial Training
RACP Online Learning: Pain Management modules

For more information click here.

Fees

Annual Fee:

AUD $3,911.00 (reduced fee of 50% for trainees in research)

Exam Fee:

Written examinations: AUD $2,153.00
Basic Training Clinical Examination: AUD $3,221.00
Faculty Clinical Examinations: AUD $3,221.00

Admission to Fellowship Fee

AUD $1,456.00

Useful Resources / Courses / Conferences

Research relevant to palliative medicine or related fields
PhD
Fellowship in palliative medicine
Attendance at palliative care conferences

Key Information

PGY Intake Year (earliest)

PGY5

Training Duration (minimum)

3 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

BPT1 (or other appropriate training pathway)

Year 3

BPT2

Year 4

BPT3

Year 5

Commence Palliative Care Advanced Training

Part Time Option: Yes

Last Updated: December 4, 2024

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.