VBPTC Management Team Statewide Governance Committee
Getting into the Victorian Paediatric Training Program Extended Rural Stream JRMO SRMO Registrars
Progression Through Basic Training RACP Requirements Register Your Details with the RACP FRACP Exams Induction and Graduation Ceremony Memorandum of Understanding Current Trainees Continuing Basic Trainees & Advanced Trainees
VBPTC Sites Adding a VBPTC Position Memorandum of Understanding Educational Supervisors Trainees in Difficulty

Getting into the Victorian Paediatric Training Program

In order to enter the Victorian Paediatric Training Program, candidates must obtain a centrally recruited accredited basic training position. In Victoria, central recruitment is managed through the primary training sites (MCH & RCH).

Eligibility criteria for each entry level of training can be found on these pages:

Junior Doctor Information Session

The VBPTC in conjunction with The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) and Monash Children’s Hospital (MCH) hosted an Information Night on Tuesday 19 May, 2026 for junior doctors interested in applying to enter the Victorian Paediatric Training program in 2027. A copy of the recording is available here.

Topics include:

  • How Paediatrics works in Victoria & an overview of the Paediatric Training Program

  • Entry into the program at Junior Resident Medical Officer (JRMO) level

  • Entry into the program via the Extended Rural Stream (ERS)

  • Entry into the program at Senior Medical Resident Officer (SRMO) level

  • Entry into the program at Registrar level

  • Current trainees talking about their pathway to (and through) Paediatrics, including some advice for prospective applicants

  • Q&A

RECRUITMENT TIMELINES (for entry into the program at JRMO, SRMO and Registrar level in 2027)

  • Applications open Monday 18 May 2026

  • Applications close Sunday 7 June 2026

  • Information Night held Tuesday 19 May 2026

  • Interviews held during July, 2026

  • All applicants advised of the outcome of their application by the end of August 2026

The 2027 VBPTC Application Guide provides an overview of applying at each level.

Entry into the Victorian basic paediatric training program commences at PGY2. If you are an Intern in 2026, you are eligible to apply to join the training program as a JRMO in 2027.

RCH manage recruitment of the JRMO and Registrar positions. More details about RCH JRMO positions can be found here and RCH Registrar positions can be found here.

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS:

  • Applicants must have General Registration with AHPRA in order to be eligible to enter the RACP Basic Paediatric training program. International Medical Graduates must have working in Australia for at least 12 months in order to be eligible for General Registration;

  • The Victorian Basic Paediatric Training program is a STATEWIDE program. Applicants must be able to travel and work in any of the 21 health services across the State during the three years of basic training. Training positions cannot be tailored to accommodate individual circumstances, but trainees do have the opportunity to preference rosters on an annual basis.

  • Applicants who are successful in being appointed to enter the VBPTC must be prepared to commence their training in that position at the beginning of the following clinical year. Deferrals of accredited training positions will only be considered under extenuating circumstances and will not automatically be granted.


Standard Recruitment Cycle

 
 

Outside of the Standard Recruitment Cycle 

 
 

 FAQs

  • Being an interstate or New Zealand RACP paediatric trainee does not guarantee you entry into the Victorian program. When someone enters the Victorian paediatric training program, the VBPTC commits to training that person until the completion of basic training and therefore the VBPTC must ensure that there is sufficient capacity to achieve that.

    Therefore, interstate trainees must go through the same process of entering the Victorian Paediatric Training Program as other applicants.

    If an interstate trainee is successful in the recruitment process, they can continue their training where they left off.

  • Overseas trainees must go through the same process of entering the Victorian Paediatric Training Program as other applicants.

    However, once they are successful in that process, they can apply for Recognition of Prior Learning with the RACP. Applications must occur within 3 months of entering the paediatric training program and the RACP may accredit up to 12 months of previous training.

    Overseas trainees will still need to complete the written and clinical exam, even if they have completed the equivalent exams overseas.

  • You are eligible to apply for RPL if:

    – You undertook training in another RACP training program (e.g. adult physician training); or

    – You undertook training in another specialty training program within Australia/New Zealand; or

    – You undertook training in an equivalent overseas training program; or

    – You undertook a post graduate university course; or

    – You undertook academic research (e.g. PhD)

    Applications must be submitted within 3 months of the date of commencement of your first paediatric training rotation.

    A maximum of 12 months may potentially be granted.

    Further details and application forms can be found here:
    Recognition of Prior Learning (racp.edu.au)

  • Absolutely! You can apply for as many jobs as you are eligible for. 

    If you are applying for multiple jobs, please ensure you submit a separate application for each position. When completing the VBPTC Application Form (submitted with each position) you can indicate all of the jobs that you are applying for – this will alert the employing hospitals that you are applying to enter the VBPTC at multiple levels.

  • No. As per RACP rules, positions are only accredited if they are centrally recruited through the VBPTC.

  • No. As per RACP rules, positions are only accredited if they are centrally recruited through the VBPTC.

  • Yes. Please note that this is a statewide program and so you may be required to work in any of the 18 VBPTC sites. This will enrich your experience overall.

 
click here for a full list of faqs