Psychiatry

Specialty overview

Psychiatrists specialise in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental health illnesses and emotional problems. Psychiatrists have a significant understanding of both physical and mental health, as well as how these two facets of health affect each other. Conditions commonly treated by psychiatrists include schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, eating disorders and addiction. Some psychiatrists choose to specialise in particular areas of interest, for example child and adolescent, perinatal, old age or addiction psychiatry.

Clinical practice

Psychiatrists may work in public, private or academic settings, and may practice clinically through inpatient services, high dependency units, community health services or aged care facilities. Psychiatrists may also practice in non-clinical settings, undertaking academic or advocacy work in tertiary, government, not-for-profit or private agencies.

Key statistics

2024 QLD Training program selections(first year)

110
eligible

96
selected

Number of Queensland and Australian specialists

921

Number of QLD specialists

4365

Number of Australian specialists

Number of Queensland and Australian new fellows

Number of QLD new fellows

253

Number of Australian new fellows

Number of Queensland trainees and average work hours

434

Number of QLD trainees

38.2

Average weekly hours

Information on specialists

921

Number of QLD specialists
48

Number of QLD new fellows
38.2 hours

Average weekly hours QLD
52 years

Average age QLD

Specialists over 60

This donut chart shows that 23% of specialists are aged over 60 years.
Specialist intending to retire by 2033

This donut chart shows that 39% of 2023 workforce intend to retire by 2033.
Location in QLD

This donut chart shows the percentage of specialists by their location: 19.5% are located in regional QLD, 80.1% are in major cities, and 0.4% are in remote areas. The chart highlights that a vast majority of specialists are based in major cities.
Proportion Female/Male - QLD

55.4%
male

44.6%
female

This doughnut chart shows the proportion of males and females. Males are 55.4%, Females are 44.6%.
Public vs Private

50.1%
private

49.9%
public

This doughnut chart shows the proportion of public and private specialists. Private is 50.1%, Public is 49.9%.

Information on trainees

434

Number of QLD trainees
90

Number of new QLD trainees
1932

Number of Australian trainees
372

Number of new Australian trainees

Proportion female/male trainees in QLD

50.5%
male

49.5%
female

This doughnut chart shows the proportion of males and females. Males are 50.5%, Females are 49.5%.
2024 QLD Training program selections (first year)

110
eligible

96
selected

This doughnut chart shows the number of 2024 QLD Training Program Selections (First Year). 110 Eligible applications were received, 96 of those were selected.

Number of QLD trainees 2015-2023

What our staff have to say

Training information

College

Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP)

Length of training

5 years full-time

Method of allocation

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

Queensland Health pathway/network (centrally coordinated)

Training and assessment summary

Queensland Psychiatry Training Programs - Queensland Health Directors of Hospital and Health Services in conjunction with the Queensland Branch Training Committee and Office of Postgraduate Training in Psychiatry oversee psychiatry training rotation placements. Training is completed over various stages - 1, 2, 3 / advanced certificate training and includes various summative assessments (multiple choice and essay-style exams, scholarly project, psychotherapy written case, observed structured clinical examination).
Information on assessments | Information on training stages

Psychiatry Interest Forum provides an opportunity for medical students and prevocational doctors to learn more about psychiatry as a career through many events and activities.

Visit Visit Post Graduate Training in Psychiatry for detailed information.

Training program overview

Psychiatry training is undertaken across three stages, initially acquiring the knowledge and skills required to practice within the general adult clinical setting, leading to application of this knowledge in a variety of settings with diverse patient populations, before finally progressing to an increased level of responsibility as they prepare to become consultant psychiatrists. RANZCP Fellows or trainees in the third stage of psychiatry training may commence a Certificate of Advanced Training (in areas including, addiction psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry, adult psychiatry, psychotherapies, consultation-liaison psychiatry and forensic psychiatry) to extend their training in the field. Psychiatry training incorporates workplace-based assessment, entrustable professional activities and in-training formative and summative assessments. Upon completing all requirements of the training program, trainees may apply for admission to Fellowship of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (FRANZCP).

Eligibility

Applicants must hold current registration as a medical practitioner and have completed at least 1 year full-time equivalent general medical training.

Flexibility

Minimum 0.5 full-time equivalent commitment. Training must be completed within 13 years. Trainees should generally achieve fellowship within 13 years (calendar time), including any interrupted or part-time training.

Interrupted training

Break in training is a period of interrupted training that has been supported by the Director of Training and prospectively approved by the Queensland Branch Training Committee and the RANZCP Committee for Training. Breaks in training can be applied for and approved for 1 year at a time. Trainees may accumulate up to a total of 5 years of Break in Training.

Training locations

Last updated: May 2026