Specialty overview

Haematologists diagnose, treat and manage patients with diseases related to the blood. Haematologists utilise a clinical-laboratory interface of knowledge, skills and judgement to investigate and treat a wide range of neoplastic and benign diseases, including anaemia and other abnormal blood counts, bleeding and clotting disorders, cancers relating to the blood including lymphomas, myeloma, myelodysplastic syndromes and leukaemia.

Clinical practice

Haematologists work within both public and private healthcare settings, as well as within laboratories and academic and research institutes. Haematologists perform a range of clinical procedures in caring for their patients, including haemopoietic stem cell transplantation, transfusion medicine and bone marrow biopsy. Haematologists additionally provide a range of treatments for patients, including venesection, iron infusion, blood transfusion and intravenous immunoglobulin therapy. Clinical, translation and basic research is a significant component of practice for many Haematologists, this research has contributed to substantial advances in cell and molecular biology, as well as therapeutic and patient management practices.

Key statistics

2023 QLD Training program selections(first year)

11
eligible

11
selected

This doughnut chart shows the proportion of applications recieved vs applicants selected. Eligible applications received is 11, Applicants selected is 11.

Number of Queensland and Australian specialists

112

Number of QLD specialists

640

Number of Australian specialists

Number of Queensland and Australian new fellows

9

Number of QLD new fellows

48

Number of Australian new fellows

Number of Queensland trainees and average work hours

34

Number of QLD trainees

42.3

Average weekly hours

Information on specialists

  • 112

    Number of QLD specialists

  • 9

    Number of QLD new fellows

  • 42.3 hours

    Average weekly hours QLD

  • 46 years

    Average age QLD

  • Specialists over 60

    This donut chart shows that 10% of specialists are aged over 60 years.

  • Specialist intending to retire by 2033

    This donut chart shows that 24% of 2023 workforce intend to retire by 2033.

  • Location in Queensland

    This donut chart shows the percentage of specialists by their location: 20.8% are located in regional Queensland, 79.2% are in major cities, and 0% are in remote areas. The chart highlights that a vast majority of specialists are based in major cities.

  • Proportion Female/Male - QLD

    64.6%
    male

    35.4%
    female

    This doughnut chart shows the proportion of males and females. Males are 64.6%, Females are 35.4%.

  • Public vs Private

    35.8%
    private

    64.2%
    public

    This doughnut chart shows the proportion of public and private specialists. Private is 35.8%, Public is 64.2%.

Information on trainees

  • 34

    Number of Queensland trainees

  • 4

    Number of new Queensland trainees

  • 212

    Number of Australian trainees

  • 47

    Number of new Australian trainees

  • Proportion female/male trainees in Queensland

    56%
    male

    44%
    female

    This doughnut chart shows the proportion of males and females. Males are 44%, Females are 56%.

  • 2023 QLD Training program selections (first year)

    11
    eligible

    11
    selected

    This doughnut chart shows the number of 2023 QLD Training Program Selections (First Year). 11 Eligible applications were received, 11 of those were selected.

Number of Queensland trainees 2015-2022

This line chart shows the trend of the number of Queensland trainees from 2015 to 2022. The data points are: 2015 - 28 trainees, 2016 - 27 trainees, 2017 - 26 trainees, 2018 - 29 trainees, 2019 - 32 trainees, 2020 - 31 trainees, 2021 - 31 trainees, 2022 - 32 trainees, 2023 - 34 trainees.

Training information

College

Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA)

Length of training

6 years full-time (3 years basic training, 3 years advanced training) or 7 years full-time (3 years basic, 4 years advanced joint program)

Method of allocation

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

  • Queensland Health pathway/network (centrally coordinated)

Training and assessment summary

The Queensland Haematology Advanced Training Pathway is a centralised state-wide recruitment process for advanced training positions in clinical haematology, laboratory haematology and combined clincial and laboratory haematology in accredited Queensland facilities.

Training program overview

Clinical Haematology advanced training may be undertaken following completion of requirements for basic training with the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP). The clinical haematology training program incorporates work-based learning and assessment, with successful trainees attaining the qualification of FRACP with accreditation to practise as a clinical haematologist in Australia or New Zealand.

Trainees may elect to undertake the joint haematology RACP/RCPA advanced training program, which is evaluated biennially by the Committee for Joint College Training (CJCT) in Haematology and the New Zealand Joint College Training Subcommittee. Successful trainees will attain the qualification of FRACP and Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists Australasia (FRCPA), with accreditation to practise as haematologists and pathologists in Australia or New Zealand.

Eligibility

Applicants must hold current medical registration, have completed RACP Basic Training (including Written and Clinical Examinations), and been appointed to an appropriate advanced training position. Joint RACP/RCPA Haematology trainees must be registered with both the RCPA and the RACP and are supervised by the Committee for Joint College Training.

Flexibility

Minimum 0.2 full-time equivalent commitment. Clinical and joint training must be completed within 8 and 10 years respectively.

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.

Training locations

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Last updated: September 2024

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