Specialty overview

Immunopathologists study, diagnose and manage patients with disorders of the immune system, including allergic and autoimmune disorders, some types of cancer and primary and secondary immunodeficiencies. Immunopathologists are often also involved in organ transplantation, and work to ensure the health of the community through the prevention of disease by immunisation.

Clinical practice

Immunopathologists work as part of multidisciplinary teams, practicing in both clinical and laboratory medicine, within both public and private sectors. Immunopathologists may directly manage patients, or may treat patients referred from other specialists who suspect an immune component to illness. Immunopathologists additionally provide advice to other medical practitioners and health care providers on a variety of disorders, such as recurrent miscarriage or in areas of transplantation medicine.

Key statistics

2023 QLD Training program selections(first year)

1
eligible

1
selected

This doughnut chart shows the proportion of applications recieved vs applicants selected. Eligible applications received is 1, Applicants selected is 1.

Number of Queensland and Australian specialists

14

Number of QLD specialists

117

Number of Australian specialists

Number of Queensland and Australian new fellows

1

Number of QLD new fellows

6

Number of Australian new fellows

Number of Queensland trainees and average work hours

3

Number of QLD trainees

38

Average weekly hours

Information on specialists

  • 14

    Number of QLD specialists

  • 1

    Number of QLD new fellows

  • 38 hours

    Average weekly hours QLD

  • 52 years

    Average age QLD

  • Specialists over 60

    This donut chart shows that 25% of specialists are aged over 60 years.

  • Specialist intending to retire by 2032

    This donut chart shows that 50% of 2022 workforce intend to retire by 2032.

  • Location in Queensland

    This donut chart shows the percentage of specialists by their location: 0% are located in regional Queensland, 100% are in major cities, and 0% are in remote regions. The chart highlights that a vast majority of specialists are based in major cities.

  • Proportion Female/Male - QLD

    75%
    male

    25%
    female

    This doughnut chart shows the proportion of males and females. Males are 75%, Females are 25%.

  • Public vs Private

    50%
    private

    50%
    public

    This doughnut chart shows the proportion of public and private specialists. Private is 50%, Public is 50%.

Information on trainees

  • 3

    Number of Queensland trainees

  • 1

    Number of new Queensland trainees

  • 28

    Number of Australian trainees

  • 6

    Number of new Australian trainees

  • Proportion female/male trainees in Queensland

    33.3%
    male

    66.7%
    female

    This doughnut chart shows the proportion of males and females. Males are 33.3%, Females are 66.7%.

  • 2023 QLD Training program selections (first year)

    1
    received

    1
    selected

    This doughnut chart shows the number of 2023 QLD Training Program Selections (First Year). 1 Eligible applications were received, 1 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 - 2 trainees, 2016 - 3 trainees, 2017 - 2 trainees, 2018 - 2 trainees, 2019 - 3 trainees, 2020 - 2 trainees, 2021 - 2 trainees, 2022 - 3 trainees.

Training information

College

Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA)

Length of training

5 years full-time (immunopathology training), 7 years full-time (joint immunology and allergy training)

Method of allocation

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

  • Queensland Health pathway/network (centrally coordinated)

Training and assessment summary

Appointments to Queensland Pathology Training Programs are coordinated by the Medical Support Unit, Pathology Queensland (Health Support Queensland) in conjunction with Pathology Queensland's State Directors and Coordinators of Education and Training. Pathology recruitment is centralised by discipline/sub-specialty and not by facility. Training is accredited through the RCPA.

Training program overview

Immunopathology training prepares trainees to provide expert diagnostic support for patients with immune disorder in their capacity as pathologists, and who can serve as consultants, educators and pathology scientists in the diagnosis and investigation of conditions of the immune system. Training may follow two pathways - Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA) fellowship or dual RCPA/Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) fellowship for trainees who wish to provide patient care as well as laboratory services. Training incorporates work-based learning and assessment across four general functions of immunopathology - discipline-specific functions as a medical specialist in a laboratory, functions as a manager in the laboratory, research and scholarship, and professional attributes. Upon completing all requirements of the training program, trainees may apply for admission to Fellowship of RCPA (FRCPA). Trainees who successfully undertake joint RCPA/RACP training in immunology and allergy will attain the qualifications of FRCPA and FRACP.

Eligibility

Applicants must hold registration as a medical practitioner with a minimum of 2 years of postgraduate experience. Applicants must be employed in a training position at an accredited site before seeking registration with the college.

Flexibility

Minimum 20% of full-time commitment. No limit is placed on the time taken to complete training.

Interrupted training

Allowed however a period of additional training may be required if training is interrupted for more than 5 years.

Training locations

Last updated: September 2024