Admission to the ACSEP Specialist training program

*Applications for the Entrance Examination July sitting are open. Further details below. APPLY HERE.*

Key information:

This page is for prospective applicants for entry to the ACSEP Specialist Training Program. This page contains key information about the Entrance Examination and the selection process. Prospective Registrars should read all key policies included on the policies section of the ACSEP website.

Specialist International Medical Graduates (SIMGs) from outside of Australia and New Zealand should refer to the SIMG page.

Entrance Examination

Successful completion of the ACSEP Entrance Examination an eligibility requirement for selection for the ACSEP Training Program. The Entrance Examination has been designed to test basic medical sciences knowledge required to undertake training in the Sport and Exercise Medicine specialty.

For further information, please see the ACSEP Entrance Examination FAQ's.

KEY EXAM DATES

The Entrance Exam is held twice a year.

In 2025, the Entrance Exam will be held on:

  • Saturday 8 March 2025 (applications are now closed)
  • Saturday 12 July 2025 (applications close Thursday, 22nd May 2025)

LOCATIONS

The Entrance Examination will be held remotely in 2025.

APPLY to sit the entrance examination

To submit an application, click here.

Your application will be submitted to ACSEP National Office for review and consideration. National Office will respond to you within five business days and if you are approved to sit the exam, you will be provided with a link to pay the Entrance Exam fee. Information on fees can be found in the current fee schedule.

For further information, please contact registrars@acsep.org.au.

APPLYING FOR THE ACSEP SPECIALIST TRAINING PROGRAM

Candidates who have met all eligibility criteria to apply for the Training Program as per P013 - Training Program Selection and Deferral Policy are eligible to apply for the Training Program. Information provided on this website is subject to change. Candidates and other stakeholders should consult P013 - Training Program Selection and Deferral Policy and any other related policies for all policy-related information.

KEY DATES

  • Applications open: Friday 25 July 2025
  • Applications close: Friday 8 August 2025
  • Interview notification date: Friday 5 September 2025
  • Interview date: Saturday 13 September 2025

SELECTION CRITERIA WEIGHTINGS

Training Program selection criteria contribute to a candidate's score and performance during the selection process. Selection criteria weighting information will be published as it is available.

INITIAL Application

An application form link will be published on this page when applications open on Friday 25 July 2025. Once the initial application form is complete and the application fee is paid, applications will be processed by the College within two business days.

CV SUBMISSION

Candidates must submit a CV during the selection process. Upon an initial application being processed and payment being made, a CV template is sent to candidates via email with a link to upload the CV and supporting documentation. Candidates should note that all experience provided in a CV must be substantiated with supporting documentation to verify the experience. Supporting documentation must be accurately indexed as per instructions provided in the CV template.

REFEREE CHECKS

Referee checks are conducted for all candidates. Referee details will be requested when the CV template is sent to candidates and must also be included in the CV template. The referee check process is currently being revised and information will be published as it is available.

INTERVIEW

Candidates who proceed to the interview stage will be notified on Friday 5 September 2025 of offers for interview, no later than one week before the interview date. Interviews will be held online via Zoom. Candidates offered an interview will receive information specific to the interview ahead of the interview date. Candidates who are not offered an interview will be notified on the same day.

Candidates who proceed to interview will be given a list of ACSEP Accredited Training Practice (AATPs) available for placement in the coming year as of the interview offer date. In the interview acceptance, candidates must indicate they are willing to train in at least one of the AATPs available before the interview is fully confirmed.

Interviews use the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format. Candidates move through a series of stations from 6-10 minutes in length where the interviewer will ask a series of pre-determined questions. The domains of practice evaluated during the MMI may include: Communication; Collaboration; Management; Quality and Safety; Health Advocacy; Research; Teaching and Learning; Professionalism; and Cultural Awareness.  

CULTURAL SAFETY RESOURCES

  • ACSEP SEM Academy module on Aboriginal Health and Cultural Safety here
  • AIDA Cultural Safety training here
  • Cultural Safety Plan for Vocational Medicine in Aotearoa here.

Key policies

Applicants are encouraged to familiarise themselves with all ACSEP policies, particularly:

  • P013 - Training Program Selection and Deferral Policy
  • P019 - Reconsideration, Review and Appeals Policy

All policies can be viewed on the policies section of the website.

ACSEP WORKFORCE DIVERSITY PRIORITIES

In the 2025 ACSEP Registrar cohort, 34% of Registrars are women, 8% are Indigenous and 6% are currently working regionally/rurally. Applicants who meet one or more of these priorities will be given preference for interview up to 60% of interview places offered after which applicants will be assessed using their CV score. Meeting one or more of the ACSEP's workforce diversity priorities will contribute additional points toward an applicant's final score. Workforce diversity priorities for the 2025 selection process are:

  • Indigenous: Indigenous origin applies when the applicant is of Australian Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, Māori or Pasifika descent; OR identifies as a person of such heritage AND is accepted as such by that Indigenous community.
  • Female or non-binary gender: Applicants identifying as female or non-binary.
  • Commitment to being placed in a regional or rural ACSEP Accredited Training Practice: Applicants who have indicated they will commit to taking a regional or rural placement at entry to the Training Program, event if they are not from a regional or rural background. In Australia, a regional or rural placement is a placement located in a Modified Monash Model 2-7 area. In New Zealand, regional or rural placement is a placement located in any part of New Zealand that does not fall under the local authority boundaries of the City Councils of Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington, Porirua, Hutt, Upper Hutt, Christchurch and Dunedin.
  • Regional or rural background: Regional or rural background is defined as at least 12 months of non-bonded, post-graduate medical work experience in a regional or rural area; and/or a minimum of 5 years attendance at a primary or secondary school in a regional or rural area. In Australia, regional or rural areas are defined as Modified Monash Model 2-7 areas. In New Zealand, regional or rural areas are defined as any part of New Zealand that does not fall under the local authority boundaries of the City Councils of Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington, Porirua, Hutt, Upper Hutt, Christchurch and Dunedin.

CONTACT

For further information, please contact registrars@acsep.org.au.

Page last updated: 14/03/2025