Specialty overview

Haematologists deal with both clinical and laboratory aspects of primary disorders of the blood, providing expert advice on how diseases affect the blood. Disorders commonly diagnosed and treated by haematologists include leukaemia, lymphoma, anaemia and clotting or bleeding disorders.

Clinical practice

Haematologists work as part of multidisciplinary teams within both public and private sectors. Haematologists may provide direct patient care, or provide advice to other medical practitioners and health care providers to guide patient care, and are often also involved with blood banks to support the management of blood transfusions.

Key statistics

2023 QLD Training program selections(first year)

43
eligible

42
selected

This doughnut chart shows the proportion of applications recieved vs applicants selected. Eligible applications received is 43, Applicants selected is 42.

Number of Queensland and Australian specialists

113

Number of QLD specialists

663

Number of Australian specialists

Number of Queensland and Australian new fellows

7

Number of QLD new fellows

42

Number of Australian new fellows

Number of Queensland trainees and average work hours

28

Number of QLD trainees

36.1

Average weekly hours

Information on specialists

  • 113

    Number of QLD specialists

  • 7

    Number of QLD new fellows

  • 36.1 hours

    Average weekly hours QLD

  • 47 years

    Average age QLD

  • Specialists over 60

    This donut chart shows that 9% of specialists are aged over 60 years.

  • Specialist intending to retire by 2032

    This donut chart shows that 24% of 2022 workforce intend to retire by 2032.

  • Location in Queensland

    This donut chart shows the percentage of specialists by their location: 9.1% are located in regional Queensland, 90.9% 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

    36.4%
    male

    63.6%
    female

    This doughnut chart shows the proportion of males and females. Males are 36.4%, Females are 63.6%.

  • Public vs Private

    39.4%
    private

    60.6%
    public

    This doughnut chart shows the proportion of public and private specialists. Private is 39.4%, Public is 60.6%.

Information on trainees

  • 28

    Number of Queensland trainees

  • 10

    Number of new Queensland trainees

  • 185

    Number of Australian trainees

  • 41

    Number of new Australian trainees

  • Proportion female/male trainees in Queensland

    53.6%
    male

    46.4%
    female

    This doughnut chart shows the proportion of males and females. Males are 53.6%, Females are 46.4%.

  • 2023 QLD Training program selections (first year)

    43
    received

    42
    selected

    This doughnut chart shows the number of 2023 QLD Training Program Selections (First Year). 43 Eligible applications were received, 42 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 - 25 trainees, 2016 - 27 trainees, 2017 - 26 trainees, 2018 - 28 trainees, 2019 - 28 trainees, 2020 - 29 trainees, 2021 - 28 trainees, 2022 - 28 trainees.

Training information

College

Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA)

Length of training

5 years full-time (laboratory microbiology training), 7 years full-time (joint laboratory and clinical haematology 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

Haematology training encompasses both clinical and laboratory aspects of primary disorders of the blood as well as how other diseases affect the blood. Training may follow two pathways - Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA) fellowship or dual fellowship with RCPA/Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP). Each pathway equips trainees with the knowledge, skills and professional attitudes necessary to function as a specialist in the practice of laboratory haematology. The dual fellowship equips trainees to additionally specialise in clinical haematology practice. Training incorporates work-based learning and assessment across four general functions of haematologists - discipline-specific functions as a medical specialist in a laboratory, functions as a manager in the haematology laboratory, research and scholarship, and professional attributes. Upon completing all requirements of the training program, trainees may apply for admission to Fellowship of the RCPA (FRCPA). Trainees who successfully undertake joint RCPA/RACP training in haematology 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