The Australasian College of Dermatologists (ACD) is the training body and peak membership organisation for dermatologists in Australia.
We are committed to working to ensure Australia has a skilled dermatology workforce of sufficient size to meet the skin health needs of all Australian patients and communities.
Training dermatologists
Dermatologists are specialist medical doctors who are the experts in conditions of the skin, hair, nails and skin cancer. With skills and expertise spanning medical, surgical and procedural dermatology, specialist dermatologists are at the forefront of skin health research and innovation.
To become a dermatologist in Australia, applicants must be a registered medical practitioner and be accepted onto the Australasian College of Dermatologists’ specialist training program where they will complete at least four years of specialist dermatology training.
This involves working alongside and under the supervision of experience dermatologists to complete thousands of hours treating patients, and passing final exams.
The College also assesses medical practitioners with dermatology qualifications about obtained outside Australia (International Medical Graduates) who may wish to practice dermatology in Australia.
Dermatologists in Australia
The Australasian College of Dermatologists represents 645 specialist dermatologists (Fellows) and 110 trainees nationally. Our Fellows work and train in public hospitals and private practice.
Outreach services
Many College Fellows also provide critical dermatology outreach services to regional, rural and remote areas of Australia.
Our Faculties
Fellows and our training program are organised across five state-based Faculties.
Snapshot of the workforce
View our snapshot of the Australian dermatologist workforce including age, gender and geographic distribution and trainee profile.
Addressing workforce challenges
Accessing a dermatologist can be challenging. There is a substantial workforce shortage which is particularly acute in regional, rural and remote Australia with only 6% living and practising in these areas.
2022 White Paper
The shortage is not due to a lack of doctors interested in becoming dermatologists but rather the limited number of training and supervisor positions in the public system.
As a College, we work collaboratively with federal, state and territory governments to increase the number of training and consultant positions in the public system, and to secure sustainable funding for outreach, is a key focus.
We also provide education for GPs and other health professionals to support them in providing the best possible care for their patients.
Our workforce projects
Our workforce projects are delivering tailored solutions to regional and rural training to address workforce issues and meet the unique needs of local communities. They demonstrate our successful track record of collaborating with federal, state and local stakeholders to maximise resources and funding to achieve the common goal of improving health outcomes by building sustainable medical workforce in areas of unmet need.
Townville QLD
A networked model linking dermatology services and training at Townsville University Hospital, the Melanoma Institute Australia, Sydney to deliver a world class high-risk melanoma skin cancer service to Far North QLD and a highly attractive dermatology training hub for the region.
Funded through the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care’s Flexible Approach to Training in Expanded Settings (FATES) program, this innovative project provided Townsville-based dermatology trainees with access to remote educational sessions delivered by a multidisciplinary team of specialists linked to melanoma and skin cancer. It also increased consultant and supervisory capability and capacity to deliver a world class high-risk melanoma service utilising advanced imaging technologies including confocal microscopy.
Reflecting the project’s success, ongoing investment at a local level on project completion has ensured sustainability and growth of dermatology service delivery and training opportunities.
Evaluation report, March 2024
Media release, March 2022
Darwin and the Top End
A rotational supervisory model leveraging nationwide consultant capacity to enrich the diversity and sustainability of supervisory support to our sole Darwin-based trainee and expand service delivery and broader workforce education to better meet the skin health needs of the Top End NT.
Funded through the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care’s Flexible Approach to Training in Expanded Settings (FATES) program, this project increased supervising consultant and training capacity to Royal Darwin, Katherine and Gove hospitals, improving sustainability and service delivery in the Top End NT. This also enabled the delivery of valuable outreach services to First Nations and remote communities.
Reflecting the project’s success, ongoing investment at a local level on project completion has ensured sustainability and growth of dermatology service delivery and training opportunities.
Evaluation report, March 2024
Media release, March 2022
A rotational supervisory model for dermatology care. Partyline, online magazine of the National Rural Health Alliance, March 2023
Regional QLD
Strengthening regional trainee supervision and service delivery by adding consultant capacity across Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Cairns Hospital and Hinterland Health Service, Townsville University Hospital, and a telehealth service to the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service.
With $1.8 million of funding under the Queensland Government’s Medical Practitioner Workforce Plan for Queensland, this four-year project (2023-27) is enabling the College to build on and sustain service delivery and training.
This is helping to ensure our dedicated rural training position and pathway for North QLD – which enables a trainee with established connection to the region to undertake the majority of their training in the region – is well supported.
This model for developing rural-centric training pathways is one that we are keen to continue to replicate in other regional areas.
Tasmania
Improving pathways for dermatology trainees wishing to train and practice in Tasmania by building the supervisory and consultant capacity needed to re-establish training at Royal Hobart Hospital, towards the goal of a homegrown workforce.
Funded through the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care’s Flexible Approach to Training in Expanded Settings (FATES) program, this project is currently in implementation.
As well as enabling the re-establishment of training, is also supporting newly graduated dermatologists to transition to rural practice with public appointments at Royal Hobart Hospital.
Media release, May 2023
Western NSW
Leading collaborative co-design with local stakeholders of a networked training model that seeks to flip the metro-centric training model enabling dermatology trainees from Western NSW to do most of their training locally.
Funded through the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care’s Flexible Approach to Training in Expanded Settings (FATES) program, this project is currently in implementation.
The project sees the College working together with Western NSW Local Health District, Orange Aboriginal Medical Service, Western NSW Regional Training Hub, Sydney University School of Rural Health, private practice and other stakeholders to co-design and implement a high quality sustainable training pathway for the region.
The project also aims to provide a blueprint for creating pathways in other locations and specialties nationally.
Locating a dermatologist
Our Find a Derm tool allows you to access our comprehensive database to search for dermatologists by geographic location or expertise.
