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

2023 QLD Training program selections(first year)

103
eligible

92
selected

This doughnut chart shows the proportion of applications recieved vs applicants selected. Eligible applications received is 103, Applicants selected is 92.

Number of Queensland and Australian specialists

877

Number of QLD specialists

4,189

Number of Australian specialists

Number of Queensland and Australian new fellows

55

Number of QLD new fellows

242

Number of Australian new fellows

Number of Queensland trainees and average work hours

415

Number of QLD trainees

38.8

Average weekly hours

Information on specialists

  • 877

    Number of QLD specialists

  • 55

    Number of QLD new fellows

  • 38.8 hours

    Average weekly hours QLD

  • 52 years

    Average age QLD

  • Specialists over 60

    This donut chart shows that 24% of specialists are aged over 60 years.

  • Specialist intending to retire by 2032

    This donut chart shows that 38% of 2022 workforce intend to retire by 2032.

  • Location in Queensland

    This donut chart shows the percentage of specialists by their location: 20.1% are located in regional Queensland, 79.2% are in major cities, and 0.7% are in remote areas. The chart highlights that a vast majority of specialists are based in major cities.

  • Proportion Female/Male - QLD

    55.3%
    male

    44.7%
    female

    This doughnut chart shows the proportion of males and females. Males are 55.3%, Females are 44.7%.

  • Public vs Private

    51%
    private

    49%
    public

    This doughnut chart shows the proportion of public and private specialists. Private is 51%, Public is 49%.

Information on trainees

  • 415

    Number of Queensland trainees

  • 73

    Number of new Queensland trainees

  • 1,834

    Number of Australian trainees

  • 331

    Number of new Australian trainees

  • Proportion female/male trainees in Queensland

    52%
    male

    48%
    female

    This doughnut chart shows the proportion of males and females. Males are 52%, Females are 48%.

  • 2023 QLD Training program selections (first year)

    103
    eligible

    92
    selected

    This doughnut chart shows the number of 2023 QLD Training Program Selections (First Year). 103 Eligible applications were received, 92 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 - 286 trainees, 2016 - 308 trainees, 2017 - 285 trainees, 2018 - 279 trainees, 2019 - 382 trainees, 2020 - 375 trainees, 2021 - 384 trainees, 2022 - 415 trainees.

What our staff have to say

Testimonial icon

Dr Shaileigh Gordon

Psychiatrist
Townsville University Hospital

  • A career in psychiatry provides an opportunity to connect with people, contribute to the well-being of others, and better the lives of patients, their families, and friends. It is an evolving area of medicine with abundant research prospects. Working in regional Queensland is specifically rewarding, as it allows me to contribute positively to the community and reach patients who experience a shortage of available services, mental health consequences of geographical isolation, natural disasters, and stigma. I have witnessed the resilience and sense of togetherness of rural and regional Australia, and I am grateful to be afforded the privilege to work in those areas.

Hear about our training

Watch
4:05
Psychiatry Training in Northern Queensland
View transcript
Watch
05:35
Psychiatry Training in Northern Queensland (video 2)
View transcript

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

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Last updated: September 2024