About the program
The Specialist Training Program helps cover the salaries of trainee specialists in training positions outside the traditional metropolitan teaching hospitals.
It gives participants experience of a broader range of healthcare settings, including:
- private hospitals
- specialist rooms
- clinics and day surgeries
- Aboriginal Medical Services
- non-clinical settings.
The program supports training posts through specialist medical colleges, including:
- 920 training places
- an additional 100 training posts through the Integrated Rural Training Pipeline
- supervisor and trainee positions, as well as education and infrastructure, under the Tasmanian Project.
Aims of the program
The Specialist Training Program aims to:
- improve the specialist workforce by providing quality training posts in different settings to broaden the participants’ experiences
- increase the number of specialists working in regional, rural and remote areas.
How the program works
To help cover the annual salary of trainee specialists, we provide colleges with:
- $105,000 per full-time equivalent position
- an additional $25,000 Rural Support Loading allowance for training positions in regional, rural and remote areas
- a Private Infrastructure and Clinical Supervision allowance of $30,000 for training positions in a private sector setting.
Who delivers the training
Training must take place in a facility accredited by one of the 13 specialist medical colleges that have a funding agreement with us.
These colleges set professional standards, accredit training settings and coordinate education and training of future college fellows.
The funded colleges are:
- Australasian College of Dermatologists (ACD)
- Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM)
- Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians (ACSEP)
- Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA)
- College of Intensive Care Medicine (CICM)
- Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators (RACMA)
- Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP)
- Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS)
- Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG)
- Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO)
- Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP)
- Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR)
- Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA).
Specialist Training Program operational framework
COVID-19 update
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant disruption to the health workforce. Some trainees might need to be redeployed to areas outside the usual scope of practice.
We understand the need for flexibility, and Specialist Training Program funding will continue.
We ask colleges to keep us up to date with any action they are taking in relation to the pandemic.
Eligibility
Specialist training places
Trainees must complete at least half of their specialist training in either:
- a rural area classified as Modified Monash Model 2 to 7 locations
- a private setting.
Integrated Rural Training Pipeline
Under the Integrated Rural Training Pipeline, specialist trainees:
- must show a commitment to working in a rural area
- must complete at least two-thirds of their fellowship training (2 years) in a rural area
- may complete metropolitan rotations, to meet college education and accreditation standards.
Tasmanian project
Funding under the Tasmanian Project supports the training and retention of specialist doctors in the Tasmanian public health system.
Applying for a new training post under the STP
The new post process is the only way that new posts can be approved for funding under the STP.
The new post process has closed for 2023. For further information on future new post processes, please speak with the relevant specialist medical college.
Contact
