Specialty overview

Obstetricians and gynaecologists play critical roles in the reproductive health of women through the provision of medical care before, during and after childbirth. Obstetricians and gynaecologists additionally diagnose, treat and aid in the prevention of disorders of the female reproductive system.

Clinical practice

Obstetricians and gynaecologists practice across a range of clinical environments, from rural and remote health services to large regional and metropolitan tertiary hospitals, within both the public and private sectors. Some obstetricians and gynaecologists undertake additional training in areas such as gynaecology oncology, urogynaecology, reproductive medicine, maternal and foetal medicine, or obstetric and gynaecology ultrasound.

Key statistics

2023 QLD Training program selections(first year)

37
eligible

16
selected

This doughnut chart shows the proportion of applications recieved vs applicants selected. Eligible applications received is 37, Applicants selected is 16.

Number of Queensland and Australian specialists

418

Number of QLD specialists

2041

Number of Australian specialists

Number of Queensland and Australian new fellows

23

Number of QLD new fellows

101

Number of Australian new fellows

Number of Queensland trainees and average work hours

110

Number of QLD trainees

44.6

Average weekly hours

Information on specialists

  • 418

    Number of QLD specialists

  • 23

    Number of QLD new fellows

  • 44.6 hours

    Average weekly hours QLD

  • 51 years

    Average age QLD

  • Specialists over 60

    This donut chart shows that 20% of specialists are aged over 60 years.
  • Specialist intending to retire by 2032

    This donut chart shows that 45% of 2022 workforce intend to retire by 2032.
  • Location in Queensland

    This donut chart shows the percentage of specialists by their location: 21.2% are located in regional Queensland, 78.1% are in major cities, and 0.8% are in remote regions. The chart highlights that a vast majority of specialists are based in major cities.
  • Proportion Female/Male - QLD

    44.8%
    male

    55.2%
    female

    This doughnut chart shows the proportion of males and females. Males are 44.8%, Females are 55.2%.
  • Public vs Private

    89.4%
    private

    10.6%
    public

    This doughnut chart shows the proportion of public and private specialists. Private is 89.4%, Public is 10.6%.

Information on trainees

  • 110

    Number of Queensland trainees

  • 18

    Number of new Queensland trainees

  • 569

    Number of Australian trainees

  • 93

    Number of new Australian trainees

  • Proportion female/male trainees in Queensland

    44.8%
    male

    55.2%
    female

    This doughnut chart shows the proportion of males and females. Males are 44.8%, Females are 55.2%.
  • 2023 QLD Training program selections (first year)

    37
    eligible

    16
    selected

    This doughnut chart shows the number of 2023 QLD Training Program Selections (First Year). 37 Eligible applications were received, 16 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 - 45 trainees, 2016 - 50 trainees, 2017 - 55 trainees, 2018 - 60 trainees, 2019 - 65 trainees, 2020 - 70 trainees, 2021 - 75 trainees, 2022 - 80 trainees.

Hear about our training

Obstetrics & Gynaecology Training in Northern Queensland
Duration: 3:32

Transcript for Obstetrics & Gynaecology Training in Northern Queensland

[Soft music plays in the background]

[Text on screen] Specialty Training in Northern Queensland, Obstetrics & Gynaecology.

>> Dr Pradeesha Hettiarachchi:

[Text on screen] Dr Pradeesha Hettiarachchi, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Registrar

I’ve always known that I’ve wanted to do medicine from a young age. Obstetrics and Gynaecology is a specialty field that I’m quite passionate about, where you’re delivering life into the world or you’re dealing with problems that increase the quality of life for women. I think that everyone knows that when you work in more of a regional centre, you’re going to get more experience. When you work at bigger centres there are lots of other registrars competing for experience, competing for operative time. While I know at Mackay Base that there is going to be less registrars, and more independence, and more chances to operate and show your independence.

One thing I noticed when I was in the bigger cities is that you would see someone in clinic, and then you’d maybe do an operation, but you’d never see them again. Here you will see them in the clinic, you’ll book them for their procedure, you’ll do the procedure, you’ll see them after the procedure, most likely, and you’ll be able to see how much of a benefit and how much of an improvement you’ve done and you’ll be able to learn from it as well because you can see how they recovered from this procedure, because you might have done something differently.

So, I think this smaller community where you can follow up your patients, you’re going to learn so much more, you’re going to kind of see your results more and I think that’s one thing we miss as surgeons is we’ll be operating but we’ll never see the end result and in Mackay, I think you do get that and it’s very, very rewarding.

>> Dr Kathleen Braniff:

[Text on screen] Dr Kathleen Braniff, Clinical Director, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mackay Base Hospital

The benefits of registrar training in rural and regional centres is that generally they get a larger clinical workload than they do in some of the larger hospitals. They also get to work in a really supportive environment with very good access to experienced specialists who are there to ack them up when needed. If they go through the mainstream program, then they’ll be allocated where they go for their first four years.  At least one year will have to be tertiary centre. For some of those trainees Townsville will be their tertiary centre, so it is possible to do all of your training in regional centres.

>> Dr Pradeesha Hettiarachchi:

You know, golf is one of those things I do like to unwind, but I remember the first time I started. One of my gynaecology consultants said that, I mean, if you’re going to be a true gynaecologist, you need to pick up some clubs and, you know, start playing. And he took me out, and I was absolutely horrible, but the passion just grew from there. One thing I would like to do is offer that kind of minimally invasive surgery, instead of having, you know, longer hospital stays with bigger incisions; having shorter hospital stays, better recoveries, and better outcomes is a service I’d like to provide to North Queensland in the future. When you pull out that baby and you get it out successfully, and you know, you can show Mum that, you know, you’ve delivered this wonderful thing, it’s just that moment. I don’t think any feeling can replace it; like it’s just happiness in its purest form, I think, just for Mum and you, and just to be part of that, I think it’s perfect.

[Text on screen] Explore specialty training opportunities in northern Queensland. nqrth.edu.au

Obstetrics and Gynaecology registrars can complete the mandatory 12 months tertiary hospital training in Townsville.

All other Obstetrics and Gynaecology training can be completed at Mackay, Cairns and Townsville.

This video was funded by the Australian Government Department of Health as part of the Regional Training Hubs initiative. Produced in partnership with northern Queensland health care providers and James Cook University.

[James Cook University crest appears on screen] Northern Queensland Regional Training Hubs. A network of medical training opportunities. nqrth.edu.au

End of transcript

What our staff have to say

Testimonial icon

Dr Greet Hoet

Director of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Townsville University Hospital

The diversity of the obstetrics and gynaecology role is what first attracted me to the specialty. One day you may be delivering a baby, the next a cancer diagnosis, and then there’s everything in between. Working in a regional centre gives you the best of both worlds: you get to enjoy the work of a generalist, while pursuing a special interest or skill. What I love most about my job is knowing that I have made a difference in someone’s life, by making their health journey a little more joyful or a little less stressful.

Training information


College

Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG)


Length of training

6 years full-time (4 years core training program, 2 years advanced training program)


Method of allocation

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

  • College (1st year)
  • Queensland Health facility (accredited for training) (2nd and subsequent years)

Training and assessment summary

For detailed information in relation to training and assessment requirements, please contact RANZCOG.


Training program overview

Obstetrics and gynaecology training consists of a structured post-graduate program incorporating core and advanced training. In-hospital training is supplemented with online learning modules. Trainees may undertake subspecialty programs post-Fellowship or during the advanced training years. Upon completing all requirements of the training program, trainees may apply for admission to Fellowship of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (FRANZCOG). Successful completion of the subspecialty programs will result in certification in the specific subspecialty.


Eligibility

Applicants must have citizenship or have been granted permanent residency status in Australia, hold general medical registration, have completed PGY2 or above and have obtained an accredited training position.


Flexibility

Minimum 50% of full-time commitment.


Interrupted training

Allowed up to 3 years without loss of credit for previous training. Trainees have a maximum of 6 years to complete Core Training and a maximum of 3 years to complete Advanced Training.

Training locations

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