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.

Statistics and information - Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Number of specialists - QLD

Number of new fellows - QLD

Number of specialists - AUS

Number of new fellows - AUS

Average weekly hours
QLD

Average Age
QLD

% Aged 60+
QLD

57% of the QLD 2017 workforce intend to retire by 2027

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

PGY new trainees - QLD

Proportion Female/Male - QLD

Male
Female

College

Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (RACP-AFOEM)

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, 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 40% of full-time commitment. Training must be completed within 10 years.

Interrupted training

Allowed. Interruptions of more than 12 continuous months may require additional assessments (determined on a case-by-case basis). Interruptions of more than 24 continuous months may require additional training time and/or assessments (determined on a case-by-case basis).

Data Sources