Roadmap
The pathway to cardiology
The training pathway to becoming a cardiologist in Australia, step by step. Roughly eight years of postgraduate training follow medical school. Durations vary by state, network and individual — always check the current RACP requirements.
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4–7 yr
Medical school
An undergraduate (MBBS or MD) or graduate-entry (MD) degree — usually four to six years, longer with an intercalated or combined degree.
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~2 yr
Junior doctor years
Internship (PGY1) is done under provisional registration. On satisfactorily completing the accredited intern year you gain general registration with the Medical Board of Australia (through Ahpra). A resident year or two follows (PGY2, sometimes an SRMO term), building the clinical experience and referees for a Basic Training application.
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3 yr
Basic Physician Training
Entered by application and interview.
Three years of accredited core physician training under the RACP (some networks accredit PGY2 as the first year). Two barrier examinations sit within it:
- Divisional Written Examination (DWE) — you become eligible once you have completed 24 months FTE of Basic Training (usually the start of your third year). It runs twice a year, in February and October.
- Divisional Clinical Examination (DCE) — the long- and short-case clinical exam, sat once you have passed the written.
Pass rates vary between sittings and are published by the RACP. Passing both exams and completing Basic Training makes you eligible to apply for Advanced Training.
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3 yr
Advanced Training in Cardiology
Entered by competitive application and interview.
Three years of accredited advanced training in cardiology. The RACP program handbook is the source of truth for its requirements.
A general guide to the Australian pathway, not college advice — requirements change and vary by state and program, and the current RACP rules are the authority. Reviewed July 2026.