Royal Australasian College of Physicians

History

Until the 1930s, Australian and New Zealand Physicians had to seek membership of one of the United Kingdom Colleges in London, Glasgow, Ireland or Edinburgh.

In November 1930, a group of physicians met in Melbourne to establish the Association of Physicians of Australasia "for friendship and scientific stimulus", which solely consisted of its members; no building or permanent base existed.

In 1934, the Association of Physicians of Australasia Council decided that an examining and executive body College should be formed to enhance the prestige of the profession, stimulate interest in medical education and research, and set a standard of professional ethical conduct. The constitution was to be modelled on that of the London College.

In 1937, the Association purchased premises at 145 Macquarie Street, Sydney, which had originally been the home of the Fairfax family. Funds were raised by the NSW Government and public donation.

In 1938, the College was incorporated and the first meeting of the Council was held in April.

The motto of "hominum servire saluti" ("to serve the health of our people") was adopted for the College coat of arms.

In September that year 47 candidates took the first examinations and 41 members were admitted.

In May 1973 a green ban was placed by the NSW Builders Labourers Federation on the Royal Australasian College of Physicians building in Macquarie Street, Sydney. This followed a request from the National Trust. Demolition was averted and the building subsequently renovated.

Structure

The RACP is divided into two Divisions and three Faculties. Each Division has a number of Chapters.

Divisions

• Adult Medicine Division
• Paediatrics & Child Health Division

Faculties

• Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine
• Australasian Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine
• Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Chapters

• Chapter of Community Child Health
• Australasian Chapter of Palliative Medicine
• Australasian Chapter of Addiction Medicine
• Australasian Chapter of Sexual Health Medicine (formerly Australasian College of Sexual Health Physicians)

Speciality societies

The RACP is affiliated with 51 independent Speciality Societies. These are independent membership organisations for individuals who practice in a specific medical subspeciality. The RACP consults closely with these societies when designing its curricula. The RACP provided a pathway for intensive care medicine specialty training in Australia and New Zealand until an independent intensive care medicine college was launched in 2008.

Facilities

The History of Medicine Library at the RACP has a leading collection of medical history items from Australia and around the world. The RACP established the History of Medicine Library in 1938 as a clinical library. The focus of the library changed to medical history in the mid 1950s. The History of Medicine Library continues to grow through the contributions of College Members.

Awards

At the annual RACP Congress, selected members are recognised for their achievements and contributions to the RACP and medicine via a variety of prizes and medals. the awards given by the RACP to individuals include, among others:

• Eric Susman Prize, for best contribution to the knowledge of any branch of internal medicine
• John Sands Medal
• College Medal
• Neil Hamilton Fairley Medal

Publications

The RACP also publishes two medical journals, The Internal Medicine Journal and The Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, and has a foundation which provides funding for research in the field of internal medicine.

The RACP issued a position statement on non-therapeutic circumcision of boys in 2010.

Qualifications

Fellow

Main article: Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians

The qualification of "Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians", abbreviated as the post-nominal initials FRACP, is a recognition of the completion of the prescribed postgraduate specialist training programme in internal adult or internal paediatric medicine of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.

Arms

References

References

1. "About the RACP". The Royal Australasian College of Physicians.
2. "Training pathways". Royal Australasian College of Physicians.
3. [https://senate.aph.gov.au/submissions/comittees/viewdocument.aspx?id=0228d360-60b6-4e4e-8d92-2397d470bc56 Senate Inquiry into the Government Investment Funds Amendment Bill 2011 Submission by The Royal Australasian College of Physicians.] July 2012
4. "Connoting Professional Developmentent". Royal Australasian College of Physicians.
5. Green Bans Art Walks Project. (2023-06-23). "Green Bans Timeline: 1971-74".
6. "College Structure". Royal Australasian College of Physicians.
7. (16 June 2025). "College and Congress". The Royal Australasian College of Physicians.
8. (1 May 2025). "Eric Susman Prize". The Royal Australasian College of Physicians.
9. "''Internal Medicine Journal''". Royal Australasian College of Physicians.
10. "''Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health''". Royal Australasian College of Physicians.
11. "About the RACP Foundation". Royal Australasian College of Physicians.
12. [https://www.racp.edu.au//docs/default-source/advocacy-library/circumcision-of-infant-males.pdf?sfvrsn=eaa32f1a_10 Circumcision of Infant Males]
13. Low, Charles. (1971). "A Roll of Australian Arms". Rigby Limited.
14. "A picture is worth a thousand words: the RCP grant of arms". Royal College of Physicians.
15. "Status symbols: the RCP coat of arms". Royal College of Physicians.
16. (1666). "A Display of Heraldie".