Medicine is a vast and multifaceted field, encompassing a wide range of specialties and subspecialties that reflect the complexity of human health. Each specialty represents a unique area of expertise, designed to meet specific healthcare needs. Whether you’re a doctor considering your career path or a member of the public curious about the breadth of medicine, understanding these specialties can provide valuable insight into the medical profession.
Recognised Specialties and Their Fields of Practice in Australia
The list of specialties and fields of specialty practice, published by AHPRA, has been revised and approved by the COAG Health Council on 27 March 2018, pursuant to the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law. These changes took effect on 1 June 2018, ensuring the information is up-to-date and reflective of contemporary medical practice. For further details, visit the AHPRA website.
Below is a comprehensive breakdown of medical specialties and their associated fields of specialty practice:
- Addiction medicine
- Anaesthesia
- Dermatology
- Emergency medicine
- Paediatric emergency medicine
- General practice
- Intensive care medicine
- Paediatric intensive care medicine
- Medical administration
- Obstetrics and gynaecology
- Gynaecological oncology
- Maternal–fetal medicine
- Obstetrics and gynaecological ultrasound
- Reproductive endocrinology and infertility
- Urogynaecology
- Occupational and environmental medicine
- Ophthalmology
- Paediatrics and child health
- Clinical genetics
- Community child health
- General paediatrics
- Neonatal and perinatal medicine
- Paediatric cardiology
- Paediatric clinical pharmacology
- Paediatric emergency medicine
- Paediatric endocrinology
- Paediatric gastroenterology and hepatology
- Paediatric haematology
- Paediatric immunology and allergy
- Paediatric infectious diseases
- Paediatric intensive care medicine
- Paediatric medical oncology
- Paediatric nephrology
- Paediatric neurology
- Paediatric nuclear medicine
- Paediatric palliative medicine
- Paediatric rehabilitation medicine
- Paediatric respiratory and sleep medicine
- Paediatric rheumatology
- Pain medicine
- Palliative medicine
- Pathology
- General pathology
- Anatomical pathology (including cytopathology)
- Chemical pathology
- Haematology
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Forensic pathology
- Physician
- Cardiology
- Clinical genetics
- Clinical pharmacology
- Endocrinology
- Gastroenterology and hepatology
- General medicine
- Geriatric medicine
- Haematology
- Immunology and allergy
- Infectious diseases
- Medical oncology
- Nephrology
- Neurology
- Nuclear medicine
- Respiratory and sleep medicine
- Rheumatology
- Psychiatry
- Public health medicine
- Radiation oncology
- Radiology
- Diagnostic radiology
- Diagnostic ultrasound
- Nuclear medicine
- Rehabilitation medicine
- Sexual health medicine
- Sport and exercise medicine
- Surgery
- Cardio-thoracic surgery
- General surgery
- Neurosurgery
- Orthopaedic surgery
- Otolaryngology – head and neck surgery
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery
- Paediatric surgery
- Plastic surgery
- Urology
- Vascular surgery
Understanding the Breadth of Medicine
Each specialty and its fields of practice reflect the extensive knowledge and skills required to address specific patient needs. From the intricate procedures of cardiothoracic surgery to the nuanced care provided in paediatric respiratory medicine, these fields underscore the diversity and importance of the medical profession.
For doctors, this list serves as a roadmap to potential career paths and areas of specialisation. For the public, it highlights the dedication and expertise required of medical professionals to deliver comprehensive care.
For more information about these specialties and their corresponding fields of practice, visit the
AHPRA website.
