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Medical Oncologist

ANZSCO 253314

Medical Oncologists diagnose and treat cancer with chemotherapy and biotherapies, providing care in clinics, hospitals, and outpatient centres.

  • This role has a low level of AI exposure. Core skills such as adaptability, social intelligence, and complex physical tasks remain beyond the capabilities of current AI.
      • NSW
      • ACT
      • VIC
      • QLD
      • TAS
      • WA
      • SA
  • 10,000 people employed in Australia
AI exposure data adapted from Felten, Raj & Seamans (2021). Shortage data sourced from Jobs and Skills Australia (2024).

How do I become a medical oncologist

Get qualified to work as a medical oncologist with a course recognised across Australia. Speak to a training provider to learn more.

Related career opportunities

Browse occupations related to Medical Oncologist.

Common questions

Salaries for Medical Oncologists working in Australia start at $3,000 per week ($156,000 annually). Increase your earning capacity by obtaining specialist qualifications in gynaecology, paediatrics, obstetrics, or surgery.

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There are currently 690 Medical Oncologists working in Australia. This is a growing occupation with excellent prospects for future employment and private practice.

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To become a qualified Medical Oncologist you first need to become a qualified doctor by:

  1. Obtaining a suitable Bachelor’s degree (eg, health science, pharmacy, nursing, human movement, science).
  2. Passing the Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT).
  3. Completing a Doctor of Medicine (MD).
  4. Working as an intern at a hospital for at least one year.
  5. Obtaining general medical registration through the Medical Board of Australia.
Once you are a registered physician you must then complete a six-year training fellowship with The Royal Australasian College of Physicians. This includes three years studying adult internal medicine and another three years studying advanced medical oncology.

Source: Australian Government Labour Market Insights 2023

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All medical oncologist courses

Medical Oncologist careers

Medical Oncologists are specialist physicians who diagnose and treat different types of cancer using chemotherapy, specialist drugs, and biotherapies. They work in cancer clinics, hospitals, and outpatient cancer care centres, and may also provide advisory services to government agencies and academic institutions.

As a Medical Oncologist you could be ordering laboratory tests and diagnostic procedures for a new patient who has been referred by a GP, analysing test results and discussing the outcomes with a patient, explaining a cancer diagnosis to a patient, discussing treatment options with a patient and their partner, attending an international conference on cancer treatments, or just scheduling a short-vacation for some much-needed rest and rejuvenation.

This is a very demanding occupation and to succeed you will need to be highly organised and committed to lifelong learning and career development. You will also need excellent interpersonal skills and a natural sense of empathy and compassion.