Specialty overview

Occupational and environmental physicians provide specialist advice to employers, advising on illness and injury prevention, the management of sickness absence and health problems, and on strategies for minimising occupational and environmental risks. Occupational and environmental physicians additionally connect employers with the appropriate health services and resources necessary to optimise the health and wellbeing of their employees.

Clinical practice

Occupational and environmental physicians practice in a variety of settings, working with governments, regulators, employers, workers and other health professionals to ensure positive health outcomes for workers and employers.

Key statistics

Number of Queensland and Australian specialists

34

Number of QLD specialists

218

Number of Australian specialists

Number of Queensland and Australian new fellows

2

Number of QLD new fellows

8

Number of Australian new fellows

Number of Queensland trainees and average work hours

29

Number of QLD trainees

39.7

Average weekly hours

Information on specialists

  • 34

    Number of QLD specialists

  • 2

    Number of QLD new fellows

  • 39.7 hours

    Average weekly hours QLD

  • 59 years

    Average age QLD

  • Specialists over 60

    This donut chart shows that 46% 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

    86.5%
    male

    13.5%
    female

    This doughnut chart shows the proportion of males and females. Males are 86.5%, Females are 13.5%.

  • Public vs Private

    94.3%
    private

    5.7%
    public

    This doughnut chart shows the proportion of public and private specialists. Private is 94.3%, Public is 5.7%.

Information on trainees

  • 29

    Number of Queensland trainees

  • 5

    Number of new Queensland trainees

  • 90

    Number of Australian trainees

  • 19

    Number of new Australian trainees

  • Proportion female/male trainees in Queensland

    62.1%
    male

    37.9%
    female

    This doughnut chart shows the proportion of males and females. Males are 62.1%, Females are 37.9%.

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 - 20 trainees, 2016 - 17 trainees, 2017 - 19 trainees, 2018 - 17 trainees, 2019 - 22 trainees, 2020 - 26 trainees, 2021 - 36 trainees, 2022 - 29 trainees.

What our staff have to say

Testimonial icon

Dr David Jones

Occupational and Environmental Physician

  • I first realised occupational medicine provided a medical career with a difference when I was given the opportunity as a medical student to crawl around the narrow seam coal face of an underground mine. Since then, I have experienced many different working environments in the pursuit of promoting healthy work via the prevention of occupational disease and injury.

Training information

College

Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (RACP-AFOEM)

Length of training

3.5 years full-time (advanced training)

Method of allocation

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

  • Queensland Health facility (accredited for training)

Training and assessment summary

For detailed information in relation to training and assessment requirements, please contact RACP-AFOEM.

Training program overview

Occupational and Environmental Medicine training is overseen by the Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (AFOEM) and is undertaken over three stages incorporating both basic and advanced training. Successful trainees attain the qualification of Fellow (FAFOEM), with accreditation to practise as an Occupational and Environmental Physician in Australia or New Zealand.

Eligibility

Applicants must hold general medical registration, have completed at least 2 full-time years of postgraduate general clinical experience, applied for or completed an appropriate postgraduate course at diploma level or above in occupational and environmental health or a related field deemed appropriate by the Faculty Training Committee, hold an accredited position of employment that requires on average no less than 20 hours of occupational and environmental medicine practice per week and reached agreement with an Occupational and Environmental Medicine Fellow to be an Educational Supervisor and have had this approved by the relevant regional Training Program Director.

Flexibility

Minimum 0.2 full-time equivalent commitment. Training must be completed within 10 years.

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

Last updated: September 2024