As the medical profession evolves, so do the requirements for Continuing Professional Development (CPD). The Medical Board of Australia’s framework for CPD Homes, introduced in 2024, has undergone significant updates for 2025. With these changes, doctors must ensure their CPD plans align with the latest standards to maintain their registration and professional competency.
New Requirements for Specialists
For 2025, intensive care physicians and obstetricians and gynaecologists will have new specialist high-level requirements:
Intensive Care Physicians:
A specialist intensive care medicine physician must:
- Complete an airway management of critically ill patients’ activity ONCE every 3 years that is of a minimum 3 hours duration and involves an in-person practical workshop, preparatory and post activity components that specifically consider:
- Airways assessment
- Approaches to difficult airway and airway emergencies
- Teamwork and leadership in an airway crisis
- Familiarity with equipment
- CICO algorithms (can’t intubate, can’t oxygenate)
- Management of tracheostomy emergencies
- Simulation activities that should include performing intubation on appropriate mannequins to expose participants to difficult airway scenarios and include team-based responses.
Obstetricians and Gynaecologists:
A specialist obstetrician and gynaecologist must:
- Complete an in-person Basic Life Support (BLS) program every two years
These updates reflect the ever-changing landscape of healthcare and the growing need for specialists to stay at the cutting edge of their fields.
New Policy Update: Variations Now Available in Addition to Exemptions
At CPD Australia, we understand that personal, medical, and professional circumstances can affect a practitioner’s ability to meet annual CPD requirements. To better support our members and reflect the diversity of individual situations, we’ve updated our policy to allow for both exemptions and variations to be considered.
What’s Changed?
Previously, practitioners could only apply for exemptions from their CPD requirements. Now, we offer variations as well — giving you greater flexibility and tailored support when circumstances arise that affect your participation in CPD.
- Exemption: A complete release from your CPD requirements.
- Variation: A proportional adjustment to your CPD requirements (e.g., reduced hours or modified components), based on the extent and duration of your circumstances.
More information can be found in our
Eligibility, Exemption and Sign-up Policy.To Apply:Submit a written request to:
support@cpdaustralia.orgInclude all relevant documentation and evidence to support your request.
We aim to review applications promptly and will notify you of the outcome in writing. If your application is unsuccessful or you believe the outcome needs to be reconsidered, you may request an appeal. Details can be found in our
Appeals and Complaints Policy.
Stay Informed:
For more updates on CPD requirements and CPD Homes, visit the Medical Board of Australia’s CPD page. To learn more about CPD Australia and its offerings, check out https://www.cpdaustralia.org
Need Support?
We’re here to help. If you believe you may be eligible for a variation or exemption, please don’t hesitate to contact our team at support@cpdaustralia.org.
