Emergency Medicine

Emergency medicine physicians are acute generalists with specialist skills in resuscitation and diagnosis during the acute phase of illness or injury. Utilising a broad range of procedural and technical skills, emergency medicine physicians assess and treat patients of all age groups who have a wide range of illnesses, including those patients who are suffering potentially life, or limb, threatening conditions. Common conditions treated by emergency physicians include; heart attacks, strokes, fractures, asthma attacks, injuries resulting from car crashes, pregnancy related emergencies, overdoses and behavioural disorders.

Clinical Practice

Emergency medicine physicians work within both public and private facilities, playing a key role in trauma and retrieval teams and in the development of pre-hospital and in-hospital emergency medical systems. Emergency medicine physicians work closely with other important healthcare practitioners such as paramedics, nurses, social workers, physiotherapists, mental health clinicians and other doctors to ensure that patients passing through emergency departments receive the highest possible standard of care.

Emergency Medicine – Information

Number of specialists - QLD (2021)

Number of new fellows - QLD

Number of specialists - AUS (2021)

Number of new fellows - AUS

Average weekly hours
QLD

Average Age
QLD

% Aged 60+
QLD

29% of 2022 workforce intend to retire by 2032

Proportion Female/Male - QLD

Male
Female

Location - QLD

Regional
Major cities
Remote

Public/Private QLD

Private
Public

Number of trainees - QLD

Number of new trainees - QLD

Number of trainees - AUS

Number of new trainees - AUS

Proportion Female/Male trainees - QLD

Female
Male

2023 QLD Training Program Selections (First Year)

Eligible Applications Received
Applicants Selected

The data on this page compares the number of applicants that were selected to commence their first year of training in Queensland in 2023 to the total number of eligible applications*

The data was sourced from the relevant medical specialist college, or from selection committees coordinated by a Queensland Health pathway/network, or an individual facility.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

This data reflects a point in time figure for the selection of applicants commencing the first year of an accredited training program in the 2023 clinical year.

* eligible applications are determined by selection committees according to the eligibility criteria and required documentation prescribed by the relevant medical specialist college.

The data on this page compares the number of applicants that were selected to commence their first year of training in Queensland in 2023 to the total number of eligible applications.

See more.

College

Australasian College of Emergency Medicine (ACEM)

Length of Training

5 years full-time including at least 42 months in ACEM-accredited EDs, 6 months non-ED, 6 months elective (ED or non-ED) and 6 months critical care. Trainees must train at a minimum of two EDs.

Method of Allocation

College-selected trainees may be allocated to a training post by:

  • College
  • Queensland Health pathway/network (centrally coordinated)
  • Queensland Health facility (accredited for training)

Training and assessment summary

For detailed information in relation to training and assessment requirements, please contact ACEM.

Training program overview

Since 2022, the new emergency medicine training program is a four-stage program where Training Stages 1 to 4 replace Provisional and Advanced Training phases. Of the 60 months of total training time in the training program, trainees must undertake at least 42 months of their training in ACEM-accredited emergency departments (EDs). Other training time requirements include 6 months of non-ED, 6 months elective (ED or non-ED) and 6 months critical care. Upon completing all requirements of the training program, trainees may apply for election to Fellowship of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (FACEM).

Eligibility

Applicants must have citizenship, permanent residency, or the necessary visa to undertake training in Australia and hold general registration with the Medical Board of Australia. Applicants must be able to fulfil the requirements of the training program and have completed or be currently undertaking PGY3. There is a requirement that applicants have completed a minimum of 6 months full time equivalent (FTE) in an ED in Australia or New Zealand where the applicant assesses and manages all types of patients in that ED (i.e. not only fast-track patients) during or after PGY2 at a minimum of 0.5 FTE. Applicants must also have completed 3 postgraduate terms in 3 different disciplines other than emergency medicine for a minimum of 8 FTE weeks of continuous clinical work at a single site. At least one of these terms must have been completed during or after PGY2.

Flexibility

Minimum 50% of full-time commitment. Training must be completed within 12 years.

Interrupted training

Allowed up to 3 years during the course of training, however only 1 year may be approved at one time.

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