racp adult medicine and paediatrics training is not exactly as you have described
i know a bit about adult medicine training, and i am assuming that racp paeds is similar so anyone please correct me if i am wrong
it is a 6 year program in the sense that BPT is 3 years and advanced training (general paeds or subspecialty) is 3 years
at the moment, there is no rigorous selection criteria for BPT - you are eligible if you completed internship
but this will be changing (if not changed already) to be more strict
BPT > Advanced training > consultant is not streamlined 6 year program, and is contingent on
1) the person passing the FRACP written and clinical exams in a single attempt
2) getting into an advanced training position seamlessly after passing BPT - again competitive and specialty dependent
the fracp exams are ridiculously difficult and no one forgets about it in their professional life - many people spend much more than 3 years in BPT as a med reg due to having to repeat exams and hence it takes a lot longer than 3 years. similarly, people may have passed the fracp exams and BPT but didn't get into an AT position
I cannot comment on the competitiveness of an AT spot as there is no published data, but I imagine like all other specialties that there is a fair amount of competition and you are not entitled to one after BPT. but i think the consensus with med reg's is that passing the FRACP exams are the biggest hurdle in physician training, as well as finding a consultant position after advacned training
think of BPT as IM/paeds residency, and advanced training as the same as a fellowship. but unlike USA, in Australia it takes the same amount of time and training to become general physician/paediatrician than a subspecialist physician - as you are not recognised as a general physician/paediatrician after BPT (unlike USA where you can be a board certified generalist after residency).
