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Public Health Medicine

Public Health Medicine

Public Health Medicine

Your Pathway into Public Health Medicine training in North Queensland

Entry Requirements

  • Full general Medical Registration with the Medical Board of Australia  
  • Must hold 3 years full-time equivalent of post-graduate clinical experience comprised of:  
    • An internship year containing regular face-to-face clinical patient contact
    • At least 1-year-full-time equivalent clinical experience in a well-structures position in addition to an internship, with appropriate supervision with regular face-to-face patient contact.  
    • A further clinical year or 1 year in a health-related field 
  • Must have completed a Master of Public Health (MPH) (or equivalent) that satisfies the 5 Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine (AFPHM_ compulsory core discipline areas:  
    • Epidemiology
    • Biostatistics
    • Health Protection (includes Environmental Health and\or Communicable Disease Prevention and Control) 
    • Health Promotion
    • Health Policy, Planning or Management  

Total Training Time

Total: 3 years (full-time)

Advanced Training in Public Health Medicine requires three years of full-time equivalent (FTE) training at an accredited training site.

How to Apply

Check your eligibility to enter the Public Health Medicine Advanced Training Program by submitting: 

The Faculty Training Committee (FTC) in Public Health Medicine will assess your eligibility to apply and contact you with the outcome. 

Application Deadline

Apply for entry | Due at least 3 months before applying to commence as the assessment period can be lengthy. 

If your application is successful, your acceptance date will be from the date your complete application was submitted.  

Apply to commence | Due within 24 months of confirmation of your entry eligibility. 

Approval of training | Once the FTC have approved you to commence training, submit your Learning Contract with 4 weeks of commencing your position. A Learning Contract is required for every new position. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I submit my application late?

Late applications will be considered up to 1 month after the deadline. 

Applications received 1 month after the deadline won’t be considered unless exceptional circumstances can be demonstrated in line with the Special Considerations for Assessment Policy. 

Late applications may incur a fee. 

Late fees won't apply if supervisor approval is pending after the deadline. 

Public health is a non-clinical specialty. Why is there an emphasis on clinical experience?

Your prevocational training, which is the first 2 years after your medical education, provides you broad exposure to clinical medicine and the Australian/Aotearoa New Zealand healthcare system.  

The Confederation of Postgraduate Medical Education Councils (CPMEC), comprised of Postgraduate Medical Councils in each state and territory of Australia and the Medical Council of New Zealand, is responsible for ensuring junior doctors have structured prevocational training with appropriate educational activities and assessments.  

The CPMEC promotes competency development in a structured workplace environment and the importance of consolidating your learning as part of your preparation for a career in Public Health Medicine. 

Disclaimer: The information provided on this website aims to assist medical students and doctors in training with medical career planning. While every effort has been made to ensure the information is current and accurate, all details should be verified through the relevant Specialist College.

NQRTH is an initiative of the Australian Government's Integrated Rural Training Pipeline (IRTP) and is facilitated by James Cook University in partnership with public and private hospitals, Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC), health services, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) and GP clinics.

Cairns region
(07) 4226 8187

Central West region
(07) 4764 1547

Mackay region
(07) 4885 7122

North West region
(07) 4764 1547

Torres and Cape region
(07) 4095 6103

Townsville region
(07) 4781 3424