PostGradMed.AU
PGY3+ · Specialist Training

Specialist Pathways

Application windows and entry requirements for every major specialty college in Australia — from General Practice to Surgery, Emergency Medicine, and beyond.

2026 – 2027 Intake

Application Dates

Application windows by college and specialty. Dates are indicative — always verify directly with the relevant college before applying.

RACGP logo
RACGPGeneral Practice (AGPT)3 years
Round 1 Opens3 Mar 2026
Round 1 Closes14 Apr 2026
Round 2 Opens7 Jul 2026
Round 2 Closes28 Jul 2026

NEA (Casper Test): sits in May & Aug 2026. $190 fee, non-refundable.

ACRRM logo
ACRRMRural & Remote Medicine4 years (5 for Surgery AST)
Early Intake Opens25 Nov 2025
Early Intake Closes16 Feb 2026
Intake 2 Opens17 Feb 2026
Intake 2 Closes11 May 2026
Intake 3 Opens4 Aug 2026
Intake 3 Closes26 Oct 2026

MMIs (Intake 2): 10–21 Aug 2026. Outcomes: 10 Sep 2026. Training starts Jan–Feb 2027.

RACS logo
RACSSurgery (SET)5–6 years
Closed
Registration Opens6 Jan 2026
Registration Closes30 Jan 2026
Applications Opens18 Feb 2026
Applications Closes26 Mar 2026
Referee Reports DueApr – May 2026
Specialty InterviewsJun – Jul 2026
Offers ReleasedBy 13 Nov 2026

Applications for 2027 SET intake are closed. Some specialties apply via specialty society, not RACS directly.

ACEM logo
ACEMEmergency Medicine5 years (minimum)
Round 1 Opens4 May 2026
Round 1 Closes2 Jun 2026
Round 2 Opens3 Aug 2026
Round 2 Closes1 Sep 2026

Reference/review deadlines follow shortly after each closing date.

CICM logo
CICMIntensive Care6+ years
Intake 1 Opens16 Mar 2026
Intake 1 Pre-reg Closes30 Mar 2026
Intake 1 Refs Due13 Apr 2026
Intake 2 Opens17 Aug 2026
Intake 2 Closes31 Aug 2026

Intake 2 outcome: Nov 2026. Training start: Feb 2027. Two intakes per year (Mar & Aug).

RANZCOG logo
RANZCOGObstetrics & Gynaecology5 years
Closed
Applications Open (CV + Mini-MSF)13 Mar 2026
Applications Close13 Apr 2026
HoD Mini-MSF Approval Due4 May 2026
Interviews (AU)12 Jun 2026
Phase 1: Offers29 Jul 2026
Phase 2: Offers (AU)3 Aug 2026
RPL Applications Close30 Sep 2026

Applications for 2027 entry have now closed. RPL deadline: 30 Sep 2026.

RANZCO logo
RANZCOOphthalmology5 years
Closed
Applications Close27 Mar 2026
Confirmation EmailsBy 3 Apr 2026
Referees EmailedFrom 10 Apr 2026
Referee Phone CallsJun – Jul 2026
Network Preference Form Due3 Aug 2026

Applications for 2027 training have closed. AU/NZ citizenship or PR required by 1 Apr 2026.

RANZCP logo
RANZCPPsychiatry5 years (min 60 months FTE)
SA Opens11 May 2026
QLD Application Due15 Jun 2026
SA Closes22 Jun 2026
QLD Interviews15 Jul 2026
SA Interviews10–12 Aug 2026
VIC: via PMCVFrom May 2026

State-based recruitment. NSW/WA: contact local training office. NT: Feb & Aug intakes.

RANZCR logo
RANZCRRadiology / Oncology4–5 years
College Profile DeadlineMay 2026
Applications Open1 Jun 2026
Applications Close29 Jun 2026
Interviews (AU)Aug 2026
Interviews (NZ)16 Jun 2026

Register RANZCR college profile ($800) before applying. Some networks recruit independently.

ANZCA logo
ANZCAAnaesthesia5 years
WA Positions AdvertisedJun 2026
SA/NT ApplicationsLate Jun – Jul 2026
ACT Applications Open21 Jul 2026
ACT Applications Close17 Aug 2026
ACT / WA InterviewsEarly Sep 2026

No central ANZCA selection — state-based. QLD via QLD Health RMO Campaign; NSW via NSW Ministry of Health; VIC via VATC.

RACP logo
RACPPhysician (Basic Training)3 yrs Basic + 2–5 yrs Advanced
Hospital Recruitment OpensJul 2026
Hospital Recruitment ClosesAug 2026
RACP Registration OpensEarly Dec 2026
RACP Registration Closes28 Feb 2027

Hospital recruitment (Jul–Aug) must be secured before RACP College registration (Dec–Feb). Approved by local Director of Physician Education.

* Dates are indicative for the 2026–2027 intake cycle. Always verify with the relevant college before applying. Some dates reflect the previous cycle and will be confirmed for the upcoming round.

College by College

Application Requirements

Eligibility criteria and selection components for each specialty college. Select a college to expand.

* Requirements listed are indicative for the 2026–2027 intake cycle. PGY thresholds reflect the year of training commencement, not application. Always verify directly with the relevant college.

Know Before You Apply

College Fees

Estimated college fees for the 2026/2027 intake. Does not include hospital recruitment costs, mandatory exam fees (e.g. GSSE for surgery), or required courses.

CollegeSpecialtyApplication FeeInitial RegistrationAnnual Training Fee
RACGP
General Practice$725NEA / SelectionIncludedin training~$3,000+Varies by pathway
ACRRM
Rural Generalist$690$190 App + $500 Selection$470Registrar membership
RACS
Surgery (SET)$1,575Reg $655 + Selection $920*$3,500–$4,500Est. varies by specialty$4,100–$5,200Est. varies by specialty
ACEM
Emergency Medicine$1,270Selection fee (AU)$890Entrance registration$2,629
ANZCA
Anaesthesia$895$2,905Trainee registration$3,930
RANZCOG
Obstetrics & Gynae$955+ $1,476 interview fee$5,756excl. GST
RANZCO
Ophthalmology$1,890 + GST$6,787AU/NZ trainees
RANZCP
Psychiatry$650$1,150$2,298Band A (9+ months)
RANZCR
Radiology / Onc$800Pre-selection profile$1,500$2,600
CICM
Intensive Care$3,250Trainee registration$2,350excl. GST
RACP
Physician (Basic Training)Hospital-based$4,230excl. GST

* RACS selection fees vary by surgical specialty (e.g. Neurosurgery vs. General Surgery). All fees are approximate AUD for the 2026/2027 intake and subject to change.

Understanding the full cost

Entry Phase

$5,000 – $10,000

Before Day 1 of training: college selection fees, mandatory exams (e.g. GSSE ~$4,000 for RACS), and required courses like EMST or ALS2 ($1,500–$3,500 each).

Ongoing Costs

$4,000 – $8,000 per exam

Annual training fees cover ePortfolio and assessments. Fellowship exam sittings are billed separately per attempt. Colleges typically require Annual Scientific Meeting attendance (~$1,000–$2,000 + travel).

Tax Deductibility

Most fees are deductible

College fees, exam costs, and course fees are generally claimable as work-related self-education expenses — provided you are employed in an accredited training role at the time of payment.

State-Based Subsidies

$3,000 – $20,000 / yr

Many rural and remote contracts (and some metropolitan QLD Health / NSW Health positions) include Professional Development Allowances (PDAs) that can cover college fees and exam costs in full.