Medical Administration

Specialty overview

Medical administrators undertake a diverse leadership role, utilising medical and clinical knowledge, skills and judgement to manage hospitals or health services, clinical workforces and capital investments as well as to oversee policy development, budgets and clinical support services. Medical administrators are often also required to manage medico legal and performance issues relating to clinical services and medical staff.

Clinical practice

Medical administrators work across a variety of clinical and non-clinical settings, in both the public and private sector. Medical administrators may be employed by public or private health services, government departments, education institutions as well as pharmaceutical and technological companies.

Key statistics

2023 QLD Training program selections(first year)

11
eligible

11
selected

Number of Queensland and Australian specialists

Number of QLD specialists

293

Number of Australian specialists

Number of Queensland and Australian new fellows

Number of QLD new fellows

Number of Australian new fellows

Number of Queensland trainees and average work hours

Number of QLD trainees

40.3

Average weekly hours

Information on specialists

72

Number of QLD specialists
7

Number of QLD new fellows
40.3 hours

Average weekly hours QLD
54 years

Average age QLD

Specialists over 60

This donut chart shows that 35% of specialists are aged over 60 years.
Specialist intending to retire by 2032

This donut chart shows that 57% of 2022 workforce intend to retire by 2032.
Location in Queensland

This donut chart shows the percentage of specialists by their location: 18.3% are located in regional Queensland, 81.7% 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

56.7%
male

43.3%
female

This doughnut chart shows the proportion of males and females. Males are 56.7%, Females are 43.3%.
Public vs Private

9.1%
private

90.9%
public

This doughnut chart shows the proportion of public and private specialists. Private is 9.1%, Public is 90.9%.

Information on trainees

42

Number of Queensland trainees
11

Number of new Queensland trainees
136

Number of Australian trainees
41

Number of new Australian trainees

Proportion female/male trainees in Queensland

59.5%
male

40.5%
female

This doughnut chart shows the proportion of males and females. Males are 59.5%, Females are 40.5%.
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

What our staff have to say

Dr Alisha Thomson

Medical Administration Registrar
Townsville University Hospital

I stumbled across medical administration through my advocacy for improved working conditions for myself and my colleagues. A role model suggested that I should seek to be part of the solution. Medical administration offers opportunities to be involved in medical leadership in various areas and across multiple settings.

Dr John Hodge

Director of Medical Services, Medical Workforce
Townsville University Hospital

Medical administration is a fascinating specialty and not often thought of by new graduates. It gives you a great set of skills which can be applied across a wide range of settings. For me, this included as a medical officer in the military (both in Australia and overseas), as a medical admin registrar in a major metropolitan hospital, as a country hospital medical superintendent, as a disaster team leader at the Sydney Olympics, as a clinical evaluator with the Therapeutic Drugs Administration, as a private hospital Director of Medical Services and finally as the Director of Medical Services Workforce in a regional university teaching hospital.

Training information

College

Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators (RACMA)

Length of training

3 years full-time

Method of allocation

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

College

Training and assessment summary

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

Training program overview

Medical administration training consists of advanced training only and is governed by the Medical Leadership and Management Curriculum developed by the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators (RACMA). The curriculum aims to produce medical practitioners who use both their clinical training and experience and their specialist medical management expertise to lead and influence health service delivery. Upon completing all requirements of the training program, trainees may apply for election to Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators (FRACMA)

Eligibility

Applicants must hold general registration (unconditional) with the Medical Board of Australia, demonstrate a minimum of 3 years full time clinical experience involving direct patient care and be in a RACMA accredited training post or a post that is likely to qualify as a training post.

Flexibility

Minimum 50% of full-time commitment. Training must be completed within 8 years.

Interrupted training

Allowed up to a maximum of 2 years, however only 12 months of leave can be approved at a time.

Training locations

Last updated: September 2024