Infectious Diseases Training Pathway
How to become an infectious diseases physician in Australia — RACP Basic Physician Training, the Divisional exams, the competitive jump onto ID Advanced Training, and why earnings sit largely on a public-hospital salary.
The bottleneck is the RACP funnel, not ID itself. The hard part is getting through Basic Physician Training and both Divisional exams; ID Advanced Training is competitive but not a bloodbath, with no national scored rubric or published applicant-to-offer ratio. The quieter catch is a thin private market — so the ATO doesn't even report ID separately, and your income is largely a public staff-specialist salary.
Why infectious diseases
The job is overwhelmingly cognitive and consultative. Most of your week is the consult service — ward-based teams across the hospital phone you about a patient with fever, a positive blood culture, an antibiotic-resistant organism, a prosthetic-joint infection or a possible infection in someone immunosuppressed, and you review, synthesise and advise. Woven through that is antimicrobial stewardship (approving restricted antibiotics, steering teams off the wrong drug), microbiology-lab liaison (interpreting cultures and molecular results with the scientists), outpatient clinics (HIV, viral hepatitis, tuberculosis, travel and post-travel illness, OPAT review, complex bone-and-joint infection) and OPAT/Hospital-in-the-Home rounds where patients get IV antibiotics at home. On-call exists and outbreaks and overnight sepsis advice happen, but you are rarely doing hands-on procedures at 3am — the work is diagnostic reasoning, not the cath lab.
- Intellectually one of the broadest specialties — you touch every organ system and every ward in the hospital
- Lifestyle is among the more controllable of the physician specialties: predominantly consultative, light procedural load, manageable on-call
- Strong overlap with public health, global/tropical health, antimicrobial stewardship and research — easy to build a portfolio career
- Getting onto ID Advanced Training is genuinely less cut-throat than the procedural physician specialties
- The optional joint ID/Microbiology program lets you add a second fellowship (FRCPA) and a laboratory career
- Thin private market — earnings are largely a public staff-specialist salary, and the ATO publishes no standalone ID income line
- You are an advisor, not the admitting/proceduralist team — if you want to 'own' patients and do procedures, ID will frustrate you
- Consultative load can be relentless and you carry medico-legal weight on antibiotic decisions you don't directly control
- Smaller workforce and fewer consultant posts than the big physician specialties, so geography can be limiting
- Adding microbiology (joint program) means extra years and a second set of college exams
Subspecialties
The training pathway
The same fellowship, two very different timelines. The fast route assumes everything goes right; most people land on the realistic one.
How competitive is it?
Honestly: getting INTO ID is moderate, not savage. The brutal filter in this pathway is Basic Physician Training and the two Divisional exams, which sit in front of every adult-medicine specialty — once you clear those, ID is competitive but not in the cardiology/gastroenterology league. The RACP publishes no national applicant-to-offer ratio for ID, and it states plainly that it is not involved in selection (run by hospitals, states and matching services), so there is no single success rate to quote. NSW workforce modelling (2019) found about 53 advanced trainees in the pipeline was sufficient to meet projected demand to 2035 with 'no requirement to increase advanced trainee numbers' — i.e. supply and demand are roughly balanced, not chronically oversubscribed. The catch is on the way out, not in: consultant posts are concentrated in public tertiary hospitals and the private market is thin.
Unaccredited time: No — ID has no 'service registrar' bottleneck like surgery. You don't need years of unaccredited posts; the real prerequisite is finishing BPT and passing both Divisional exams. That said, an unaccredited ID or general-medicine registrar year, or a research year, is a common way to become competitive for an accredited post.
Sources: RACP — Infectious Diseases Advanced Training (College not involved in selection; 3-year structure), NSW Health — Physician (Infectious Disease) workforce modelling: ~53 advanced trainees, adequate to 2035, RACP — Past Divisional Written Examination results, RACP — Past Divisional Clinical Examination results.
Selection criteria & how to apply
There is no national scored selection rubric for ID with published percentage weightings — the RACP sets standards but does not run selection, and each state/hospital/matching service assesses applicants on merit against its own criteria. What follows is qualitative: the things that are assessed, not a points formula. Anyone who tells you ID has a fixed national points table is wrong.
Key documents: RACP — Infectious Diseases Advanced Training program requirements, RACP — Infectious Diseases Advanced Training Curriculum (PDF), RACP — Accredited settings for Advanced Training in Infectious Diseases (Australia, PDF), RACP/RCPA — Joint Infectious Diseases & Microbiology Advanced Training.
How ID training is organised state by state
NSW No single statewide ID advanced-trainee intake number is published. NSW workforce modelling (2019) counted ~53 ID advanced trainees in the pipeline, 93 specialists in clinical posts (118 headcount including non-clinical roles), and 3 new Fellows in 2018, with 32.5% trainee growth across 2015-2019.
Who runs selection: Accredited ID Advanced Training posts sit within Local Health Districts and specialty networks; the system is coordinated between the NSW Ministry of Health, HETI, the RACP and the LHDs. NSW is the largest ID training jurisdiction.
Where to apply: NSW Health JMO / Annual Medical Recruitment (advanced trainee positions advertised by LHDs) — application portal.
Positions: No single statewide ID advanced-trainee intake number is published. NSW workforce modelling (2019) counted ~53 ID advanced trainees in the pipeline, 93 specialists in clinical posts (118 headcount including non-clinical roles), and 3 new Fellows in 2018, with 32.5% trainee growth across 2015-2019.
Worth knowing: Largest network and the most ID posts in the country. Recruitment runs through the annual medical recruitment campaign (broadly July-October); you apply to LHD/network positions rather than to the RACP. Citizenship/residency is weighed in appointment.
Links: NSW Health — Junior Medical Officer recruitment, HETI — Basic Physician Training in NSW, NSW Health — Physician (Infectious Disease) workforce modelling, NSW Health — A career as an infectious diseases physician.
VIC Vacancy numbers are released each cycle in the PMCV Health Service Directory rather than as a fixed published figure; the match covers both new and continuing trainees and supports the standard 3-year / 24-month-core structure once you're in.
Who runs selection: Victoria runs a formal computer match for ID advanced training (the Victorian ID Training Program), administered by the Postgraduate Medical Council of Victoria's Advanced Trainee Selection and Matching service for the Victorian Department of Health.
Where to apply: PMCV Infectious Diseases Match — application portal.
Positions: Vacancy numbers are released each cycle in the PMCV Health Service Directory rather than as a fixed published figure; the match covers both new and continuing trainees and supports the standard 3-year / 24-month-core structure once you're in.
Worth knowing: A genuine algorithmic match: candidates and health services both rank preferences and the algorithm allocates. Citizens/PRs are offered positions before temporary-visa holders. For the 2026 cycle, applications opened 6 July and closed 30 July 2026, with results published 3 September 2026.
Links: PMCV — 2026 Infectious Diseases VIC Match, PMCV Pathways — Infectious Diseases, Austin Health — Infectious diseases & immunology training (example accredited unit).
QLD Not published as a single statewide ID number. You apply to the ID program via the RMO campaign; eligibility requires AHPRA general registration plus a pass in the RACP Written exam and a pass in (or imminent sitting of) the Clinical exam.
Who runs selection: Queensland runs a statewide Infectious Diseases Advanced Training Program; you apply through the centralised Resident Medical Officer (RMO) and Registrar campaign and are placed at accredited Hospital and Health Service sites.
Where to apply: Queensland Health RMO and Registrar Campaign — application portal.
Positions: Not published as a single statewide ID number. You apply to the ID program via the RMO campaign; eligibility requires AHPRA general registration plus a pass in the RACP Written exam and a pass in (or imminent sitting of) the Clinical exam.
Worth knowing: One centralised annual campaign for the whole state. For the 2027 clinical year the RMO campaign closed 29 June 2026 (3pm). Queensland is a strong tropical/melioidosis training environment (north Queensland in particular).
Links: Queensland Health — Infectious Diseases (Medicine Advanced Training), Queensland Health — RMO and Registrar campaign.
SA Not published as a fixed annual ID number. ID advanced-training posts are offered through the SA Health advanced trainee campaign and the relevant local health network (CALHN coordinates ID training in SA).
Who runs selection: Accredited ID posts are concentrated in the Central Adelaide Local Health Network (Royal Adelaide Hospital) and other metropolitan networks; SA Health recruits advanced trainees through a central campaign.
Where to apply: SA Health Advanced Trainee Recruitment — application portal.
Positions: Not published as a fixed annual ID number. ID advanced-training posts are offered through the SA Health advanced trainee campaign and the relevant local health network (CALHN coordinates ID training in SA).
Worth knowing: Smaller jurisdiction with a centralised advanced-trainee process; the Royal Adelaide Hospital is the principal accredited ID site and CALHN coordinates ID advanced training statewide.
Links: SA Health — Advanced Trainees recruitment, SA Health Careers — Advanced Trainee Recruitment campaign.
WA No published statewide ID advanced-trainee intake number. Posts are advertised through WA Health medical recruitment at the accredited Perth tertiary sites.
Who runs selection: Accredited ID training sits in the major Perth tertiary hospitals — Fiona Stanley Hospital, Royal Perth Hospital and Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital — with BPT delivered through three metropolitan WA Adult Internal Medicine networks (East, North and South Metropolitan Health Services) plus the WA Rural Physician Training Pathway.
Where to apply: MedCareersWA / WA Health medical recruitment (with PMCWA careers information) — application portal.
Positions: No published statewide ID advanced-trainee intake number. Posts are advertised through WA Health medical recruitment at the accredited Perth tertiary sites.
Worth knowing: Geographically isolated single-city tertiary system, so a small number of accredited units carry most ID training. Sir Charles Gairdner runs a prominent ID service; the WA Rural Physician Training Pathway adds rural-weighted internal-medicine training with metropolitan in-reach.
Links: MedCareersWA — Basic Physician Training, PMCWA Careers Portal — Infectious Diseases, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital — Infectious Diseases service.
TAS Not published. ID advanced-training capacity in Tasmania is small; expect to combine local posts with interstate rotations to meet RACP core requirements.
Who runs selection: A small jurisdiction with limited accredited ID capacity; doctors-in-training are managed by the Tasmanian Department of Health, and many ID trainees rotate to or train interstate to complete accredited requirements.
Where to apply: Tasmanian Department of Health — Doctors in Training — application portal.
Positions: Not published. ID advanced-training capacity in Tasmania is small; expect to combine local posts with interstate rotations to meet RACP core requirements.
Worth knowing: Small two-hospital tertiary system; the Royal Hobart and Launceston General hospitals provide ID services, but the limited number of accredited posts means trainees often look interstate. Confirm accreditation of any specific post directly with the RACP.
Links: Tasmanian Department of Health — Doctors in Training, RACP — Accredited settings for Advanced Training in Infectious Diseases (Australia, PDF).
ACT The Canberra Hospital ID department comprises about nine ID physicians, three ID advanced trainees, one basic trainee, one intern and two microbiology registrars. ID advanced-trainee posts are advertised individually (typically 12 months, extendable).
Who runs selection: Centred on Canberra Health Services (The Canberra Hospital), whose Infectious Diseases Department runs the inpatient/consult service with close links to microbiology, infection prevention, antimicrobial stewardship, sexual health and the ANU Medical School.
Where to apply: Canberra Health Services — Junior Medical Officer / Advanced Trainee recruitment — application portal.
Positions: The Canberra Hospital ID department comprises about nine ID physicians, three ID advanced trainees, one basic trainee, one intern and two microbiology registrars. ID advanced-trainee posts are advertised individually (typically 12 months, extendable).
Worth knowing: Single tertiary centre. Posts require PGY4+ and success in BOTH parts of the FRACP (Divisional) examination, with applications assessed against four selection criteria (clinical proficiency, teaching, communication, safety/quality). Broad case mix including immunocompromised, tropical/travel and HIV.
Links: Canberra Health Services — Infectious Diseases Registrar (Advanced Trainee) PD.
NT Not published as a fixed ID number. The NT runs general-medicine advanced training at Royal Darwin and attracts ID-interested trainees nationally for tropical exposure; some accredited ID requirements are completed in combination with interstate rotations.
Who runs selection: Centred on Royal Darwin Hospital (Top End Health Service), which has a nationally distinctive ID service — tropical and remote medicine, melioidosis, strongyloidiasis, rheumatic heart disease and a heavy Indigenous-health and Southeast-Asian-region caseload.
Where to apply: NT Health / Health Jobs NT — Top End Health Service medical recruitment — application portal.
Positions: Not published as a fixed ID number. The NT runs general-medicine advanced training at Royal Darwin and attracts ID-interested trainees nationally for tropical exposure; some accredited ID requirements are completed in combination with interstate rotations.
Worth knowing: Unmatched tropical/remote ID experience and the reason many trainees from around the country (and overseas) rotate through Darwin. Small consultant workforce; confirm accredited ID core time directly with the RACP and the unit. Contact the Director of Physician Training for current posts.
Links: NT Health — Royal Darwin Hospital Medicine (Top End Health Service), Health Jobs NT — Medicine specialists.
How to optimise your application
- Secure a strong BPT network position early (tied to Curriculum vitae, clinical experience & references, start PGY1-2) — Land a BPT spot in a network with good ID exposure and exam support. Strong physician-training references and a clean prevocational record matter far more here than anything ID-specific.
- Pass both Divisional exams as early and as cleanly as possible (tied to RACP BPT completion + both Divisional exams, start BPT years 2-3) — This is the gate. All-attempts Adult Medicine pass rates run mid-60s to low-80s%, so re-sits are normal — but a first-attempt pass frees you to compete for ID a year earlier. Treat the Written and Clinical as the main game of BPT.
- Bank real ID consult-team and stewardship time (tied to Demonstrated interest & fit, start BPT / RMO years) — Do an ID term, get onto the consult service, involve yourself in antimicrobial stewardship and micro-lab meetings. Selection panels want evidence you actually like the consultative, advisory nature of the work.
- Build a small but real research/audit portfolio (tied to Research output, audit and quality-improvement work, start BPT onward) — ID rewards a publication or two, a stewardship audit, or a conference abstract (ASID is the obvious venue). You don't need a PhD to get on, but a tangible project signals fit and helps ranking at tertiary units.
- Decide early whether you want the joint ID/Microbiology track (tied to RACP/RCPA joint program eligibility, start Late BPT / early AT) — If a laboratory and dual-fellowship career appeals, plan for the 5-year joint program (24 months clinical ID + 36 months lab microbiology, dual FRACP+FRCPA) rather than discovering it late — it changes which posts and which units you target.
Key documents & official links
- RACP — Infectious Diseases Advanced Training (overview)
- RACP — Infectious Diseases Advanced Training program requirements
- RACP — Infectious Diseases Advanced Training Curriculum (PDF)
- RACP/RCPA — Joint Infectious Diseases & Microbiology Advanced Training
- RACP — Accredited settings for Advanced Training in Infectious Diseases (Australia, PDF)
- RACP — Past Divisional Written Examination results
- RACP — Past Divisional Clinical Examination results
- RACP — IMG Standard Specialist Assessment Pathway
- RACP — IMG Accelerated Specialist Pathway
- ABS — ANZSCO Unit Group 2533 Specialist Physicians (ID = 253399 'nec')
- ATO — Taxation statistics 2022-23 (occupation income, Table 15)
- NSW Health — Physician (Infectious Disease) workforce modelling
- ASID — Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases
FAQ
How long does it take to become an infectious diseases physician in Australia?
Is infectious diseases competitive to get into?
What exams do you have to pass?
What are the RACP Divisional exam pass rates?
How much does an infectious diseases physician earn in Australia?
Does infectious diseases have a good lifestyle?
What's the difference between ID and the joint ID/Microbiology program?
Can an overseas-trained ID specialist work in Australia?
Trained overseas? (IMG pathway)
How overseas-trained infectious diseases doctors get recognised
Overseas-trained ID specialists do not re-do training. You apply to the RACP for a specialist comparability assessment: the College compares your training, experience and recent practice against the Australian ID program and rates you substantially comparable, partially comparable or not comparable. Substantially comparable doctors complete up to 12 months of peer review before full specialist registration and FRACP; partially comparable doctors complete up to 24 months of supervised practice, including any required top-up training and assessment. There is also a faster Accelerated Specialist Pathway for applicants holding a substantially comparable qualification and consultant experience from recognised jurisdictions (UK, Ireland, India, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka), plus an Area of Need route. Primary-source verification of your qualifications runs through the AMC first.
See the RACP Standard Specialist Assessment Pathway (IMGs) and our IMG internship guide.
Related specialties
Last reviewed 2026-06-01.