Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Occupational and environmental physicians provide specialist advice to employers, advising on illness and injury prevention, the management of sickness absence and health problems, and on strategies for minimising occupational and environmental risks. Occupational and environmental physicians additionally connect employers with the appropriate health services and resources necessary to optimise the health and wellbeing of their employees.

I first realised occupational medicine provided a medical career with a difference when I was given the opportunity as a medical student to crawl around the narrow seam coal face of an underground mine. Since then, I have experienced many different working environments in the pursuit of promoting healthy work via the prevention of occupational disease and injury.

Dr David Jones
Occupational and Environmental Physician

Clinical Practice

Occupational and environmental physicians practice in a variety of settings, working with governments, regulators, employers, workers and other health professionals to ensure positive health outcomes for workers and employers.

Occupational and Environmental 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

57% of 2022 workforce intend to retire by 2032

Proportion Female/Male - QLD

Male
Female

Location - QLD

Regional
Major cities

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.

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Length of Training

3.5 years full-time (advanced training)

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 RACP-AFOEM.

Training program overview

Occupational and Environmental Medicine training is overseen by the Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (AFOEM) and is undertaken over three stages incorporating both basic and advanced training. Successful trainees attain the qualification of Fellow (FAFOEM), with accreditation to practise as an Occupational and Environmental Physician in Australia or New Zealand.

Eligibility

Applicants must hold general medical registration, have completed at least 2 full-time years of postgraduate general clinical experience, applied for or completed an appropriate postgraduate course at diploma level or above in occupational and environmental health or a related field deemed appropriate by the Faculty Training Committee, hold an accredited position of employment that requires on average no less than 20 hours of occupational and environmental medicine practice per week and reached agreement with an Occupational and Environmental Medicine Fellow to be an Educational Supervisor and have had this approved by the relevant regional Training Program Director.

Flexibility

Minimum 0.2 full-time equivalent commitment. Training must be completed within 10 years.

Interrupted training

Allowed. Interruptions of more than 12 continuous months may require the development of a Return to Training Plan in collaboration with a supervisor and approval from the relevant training committee.

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Regional Training Pathways