Psychiatry

A psychiatrist is a medical specialist who is an expert in mental health. They specialise in diagnosing and treating people with mental illness.

Minimum Time to Completion: 6 years from graduation

Details

How to Apply

Eligibility Requirements

Prerequisites for applying to enter the Fellowship Program are:

successful completion of a medical degree
at least one year (FTE) of general medical training
current general registration as a medical practitioner in Australia or New Zealand

Application Process

To enter psychiatry training, applicants must:

Apply through PMCV to Victorian Psychiatric Training Committee (VPTC)
Apply Direct to Hospital Network
3 referees (1 must be from a psychiatrist)
Video Interview (PMCV)
Individual Hospital Interviews
If successful, apply to RANZCP

Applicants are selected based on their:

Written application and curriculum vitae
Referee reports
Performance at interview(s)

Program Structure

Trainees undergo 60 months of certified training time, undertaken in three stages:

Stage 1 (12 months FTE)
- 12 months FTE in an approved adult psychiatry rotation, including a minimum of 6 months in an acute setting
Stage 2 (24 months FTE)
- 6 months in a consultation–liaison psychiatry rotation
- 6 months in a child and adolescent psychiatry rotation
- two 6-month rotations in any of the following areas of practice: addiction psychiatry, adult psychiatry, forensic psychiatry, Indigenous psychiatry or psychiatry of old age.
Stage 3 (24 months FTE)
- RANZCP-approved areas of practice are: addiction psychiatry, adult psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry, consultation–liaison psychiatry, forensic psychiatry, Indigenous psychiatry, psychiatry of old age, research/academic psychiatry and psychotherapies.
- Optional Certificate of Advanced Training
Can opt for dual training

They will also complete:

Work-place Based Assessments (WBAs)
Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs)
In-Training Assessments (ITAs)
MCQ Exam
Critical Essay Question Exam
Modified Essay Question Exam
OSCE – to be phased out
Psychotherapy Written Case
Scholarly Project

Fees

Annual Fee:

Annual Training Fee: AUD $1,864 (or $1,330 for part-time trainees)

Exam Fee:

Written Exam MCQ: AUD $1,226
Written Exam Essay: AUD $1,808
Clinical Exam (OSCE): AUD $2,658
Case History Submission: AUD $795

Exams are subject to change (OSCE to be phased out and replaced)

New Trainee Registration fee:

AUD $702

New Fellow Application Fee

AUD $398

Useful Resources / Courses / Conferences

Research relevant to psychiatry
Masters of Psychiatry
PhD
Fellowship in psychiatry and related fields
RANZCP Annual Congress
Certificate of Advanced Training – Concurrently or following stage 3

Key Information

PGY Intake Year (earliest)

PGY2

Training Duration (minimum)

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

Psychiatry / General / Medical Year

Year 3

Commence Psychiatry 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.