Future regional, rural or remote (RRR) training requirement for FACEM trainees commencing from 2027
The Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM) is committed to enhancing emergency care across all regions of Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. A RRR training placement aims to provide trainees with comprehensive clinical exposure by offering a broad spectrum of cases prevalent in RRR emergency departments, supporting the development of well-rounded emergency physicians, grounded in the generalist emergency care foundations of the profession. By training in RRR settings, trainees will contribute to addressing healthcare disparities and ensuring that high-quality emergency care is accessible to all populations, regardless of location.
The 6 FTE month RRR training requirement applies to new trainees commencing FACEM Training in 2027. Individuals will be required to formally acknowledge this training requirement as a condition of their acceptance of a place on the training program.
ACEM is currently exploring options for expanding RRR placement opportunities for trainees through initiatives like the Blended Supervision Placements and Accredited Training Networks.
Based on the recommendations of the RRR Training Requirement Working Group (RRR TR WG), the Council Of Education has approved the below training parameters for RRR Placements.
1. Type of Placement:
The 6 FTE month RRR Training Requirement must be completed during core ED placements in any training stage. Training in Special Skills Placements will not meet the requirement.
2. Type of Site:
Training must be undertaken in Non-Major Referral EDs that are either:
- accredited for core ED for FACEM Training or
- approved for core ED Blended Supervision Placements.
Training in unaccredited/unapproved sites will not meet the requirement.
3. Geographical Classification:
This page will be regularly updated to keep you informed of the progress on the regional, rural and remote training requirement.
Frequently asked questions
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Who has to do the requirement?
FACEM trainees commencing from 2027.
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Where can I do the placement?
At any ACEM accredited ED site that meets the RRR site eligibility criteria, or in an approved Blended Supervision Placement.
See the ACEM Regional, Rural and Remote Placement Information Guide.
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How long is the placement?
The College has endorsed the introduction of a minimum six-month FTE placement.
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I'm applying for selection in 2026, will this impact me?
Yes. All prospective trainees who apply in 2026 will have to do the requirement.
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Are there any grounds for an exemption to the requirement?
As for any FACEM Training Program requirement, there is a process for special consideration.
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What if I can’t get a placement when I need one?
You are encouraged to plan your training as early as possible to ensure you can get placements. The College is already engaged in a number of programs aimed at expanding opportunities and creating more flexibility around RRR placements, including Accredited Training Networks (ATNs) and a blended supervision model.
The Blended Supervision Placement (BSP) Model has been approved by the Council Of Education, and an implementation plan is now underway to enable more eligible sites to be approved for BSP. Once in place, this will create greater placement opportunities across different states, regions, and countries, and expand RRR placement options.
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Why is this being introduced?
Please refer to the explanatory statement above the FAQs.
If you have any further questions about the introduction of a regional, rural and remote requirement to the FACEM Training Program, please contact [email protected].