The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy

A career in clinical immunology & allergy

What does a career in Clinical Immunology and Allergy offer?

Training in Clinical Immunology and Allergy provides specialist skills that will enable an adult or paediatric physician to provide care for patients with a range of interesting and challenging clinical diseases of the immune system. These conditions include:

• Allergic diseases (including anaphylaxis and asthma)
• Autoimmune diseases (including connective tissue diseases and vasculitis)
• Immunodeficiency diseases (inherited and acquired including HIV/AIDS medicine)

It may also include training in laboratory medicine (immunopathology), research (basic science and/or clinical) and other specialised areas of immunology, such as transplantation medicine. A clinical immunologist may thus work in a hospital setting, private community practice, diagnostic immunology laboratory and/or a research institute. There is currently a shortage of community based clinical immunologists and allergists in Australia and New Zealand, particularly as the only pathway to specialist allergy practice is via this training program. Over the last 25 years, research in basic immunology has been at the forefront of biomedical science. There are significant opportunities for the results of these achievements to be translated into the clinical arena, via new therapies and diagnostic tools.

Clinical Immunologists have the skills that make them ideally placed to advice and participate in these processes.

A career in Clinical Immunology and Allergy thus offers the ability to pursue wide-ranging interests in clinical medicine, diagnostic pathology and/or research!   

What training is required to become a Clinical Immunologist and Allergist? 

There are two training pathways in Clinical Immunology and Allergy which can be undertaken by adult or paediatric physician trainees after successful completion of basic training and the FRACP clinical examination.

1. FRACP training in Clinical Immunology and Allergy

This is a three-year training program in Clinical Immunology & Allergy leading to fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP). Completion of this program will enable an adult physician or paediatrician to practice as a clinical immunologist and allergist in a community private practice and/or hospital setting.

2. Combined FRACP and FRCPA in Clinical Immunology, Allergy and Immunopathology

This is a four-year training program which includes laboratory training in diagnostic Immunopathology leading to fellowship of both the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (FRACP FRCPA). This requires fulfillment of the RCPA requirements. On completion, the adult physician or paediatrician will be able to practice as a clinical immunologist, allergist and immunopathologist in a community private practice, hospital setting and/or diagnostic pathology laboratory (public or private). <> Both training pathways can also include the option of pursuing a higher degree (PhD, MPH, etc) during or following advanced training.

Further Information

Dr Matthew Cook
Co-ordinator of Advanced Training in Immunology & Allergy
Ph: 02 6244 4194; Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Dr Karuna Keat
Advanced Trainee Representative on Immunology/Allergy JSAC
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

THIS INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED BY THE AUSTRALASIAN SOCIETY OF CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY AND ALLERGY

The peak professional body of Clinical Immunologists and Allergy Specialists in Australia and New Zealand.

The mission of ASCIA is to advance the science and practice of clinical immunology and allergy, by promoting education and the highest standard of ethical medical practice.
 

PO Box 450 Balgowlah NSW 2093
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Fax: (02) 9907 9773

Further information on ASCIA is available on the website: www.allergy.org.au