Career as a doctor

Internship and registration

Following successful completion of the medical degree, graduates are eligible for provisional registration by the Medical Board of Victoria. After serving a compulsory internship year in an approved hospital, they are eligible for final registration in Victoria and in other states of Australia.

International students cannot be guaranteed an internship in Australia. In 2008 some international students were allowed to undertake an internship in Victoria and other states.

Career options

The career of a doctor involves further training beyond the medical degree. For graduates who wish to become specialists, training is available within the major teaching hospitals.

Successful completion of this training entitles the doctor to fellowship of one of the specialist colleges (eg the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons), and the right to practise as a specialist.

Medical specialities

Internal Medicine (Physician): the diagnosis and treatment of people with medical complaints including those of the heart, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, joints, endocrine glands, nervous system, infectious diseases, blood system, kidneys, genitourinary tract and problems associated with geriatrics.

Cardiology: The treatment of people with acute coronary and chronic cardiovascular problems including hypertension, rheumatic and congenital heart disease.

Pathology: the diagnosis of human disease at a tissue, cellular or sub cellular level.

Emergency Medicine: the prevention, diagnosis and management of acute and urgent aspects of illness and injury.

Dermatology: the study of skin disorders.

General Practice: GPs provide primary, continuing and comprehensive medical care to individuals, families and communities. (This requires the completion of a three-year training program.)

Obstetrics and Gynaecology: involves caring for women before, during and after childbirth and covers the treatment of diseases and abnormal conditions of the female reproductive system.

Ophthalmology: the study of defects and diseases in the eyes.

Paediatrics: the diagnosis and treatment of illness in babies, children and adolescents.

Psychiatry: the study of people with mental and emotional disorders.

Radiology: the use of X-rays and other imaging modalities to diagnose and treat certain medical conditions.

Surgery: involves diagnosis and "hands-on" surgical procedures. There are now many sub-specialities such as orthopaedic surgery and vascular surgery.