Dermatologists address a range of hair, nail and skin conditions. They use their expert knowledge of dermatology to help patients with their skin concerns, improving their quality of life. To become a dermatologist, you must first hold a degree in medicine and then obtain specialist accreditation with The Australasian College of Dermatologists (ACD).
Substantial career opportunities are set to increase for dermatologists over the next seven years. A 2023 dermatology workforce snapshot highlighted Australia’s apparent shortage of skilled dermatologists, with just 645 dermatologists servicing the nation’s skin health needs. The average age of dermatologists in 2035 will be 52.2 years, indicating an ageing workforce needing more specialists to enter this field. Around 66 per cent of Australians will be diagnosed with some form of skin cancer throughout their lives, emphasising the country’s demand for specialists in this field. There is also an evident lack of dermatologists in rural or remote parts of the country where access to specialist and medical services is limited.
There are promising career prospects and opportunities if you’re considering a career as a dermatologist. This article will cover how to become a dermatologist, including the roles and responsibilities, educational pathways and your earning potential as a specialist in this rewarding career.
What is a dermatologist?
Dermatologists treat a range of skin conditions, including eczema, infections, psoriasis, vitiligo, acne, skin cancer and related conditions affecting the hair, nails and mucosal skin surfaces. They may prescribe medications such as corticosteroids or antibiotics for inflammatory and infectious conditions. Dermatologists may also perform minor procedures such as cryosurgery and laser surgery for wart, tattoo and mole removals, sclerotherapy for vascular conditions and more specialised procedures including Mohs micrographic surgery for skin cancer. Some dermatologists also offer cosmetic treatments such as laser therapy or botox therapy within cosmetic dermatology.
Dermatologists can address skin issues within a broad demographic, from babies to teenagers to older adults. These professionals can work in private practice or in public and private hospitals, as well as community health centres in both metropolitan and rural areas. They may also hold teaching, research and education roles in dermatology and work at universities and other tertiary institutions.
What does a dermatologist do?
A dermatologist has varied responsibilities depending on their specific role. A practising dermatologist may perform a mix of administrative duties and direct patient care.
A typical day of a practising dermatologist may include:
- consultation and physical examination of the patient’s presenting concerns
- arrange or perform specialised tests or biopsies
- prescribe oral or topical medications
- advises on hygiene, skincare maintenance or other preventative tips on skin health
- perform cosmetic or surgical procedures to remove skin cancers, provide laser therapy or address other skin conditions
- complete and maintain confidential clinical records
- collaborate with other doctors, specialists and health professionals to optimise patient care
- keeps up-to-date with current dermatology research and continued professional development
Dermatologists offering telehealth services to patients in rural areas may dedicate time during their workday for virtual consultations. Dermatologists in academic or research positions may oversee clinical trials, teach and supervise and assist in developing learning materials for dermatology students.
What is a typical dermatologist’s salary?
The average annual dermatologist salary in Australia is $130,000. Dermatology is amongst the highest-paying jobs in healthcare.
However, a dermatologist’s salary can vary based on the seniority of your role and location around Australia. Here’s a breakdown of average salaries for dermatologists for each state and territory:
How many years does it take to become a dermatologist?
In Australia, it takes a minimum of 12 years to become a dermatologist. You must first complete a medical degree followed by an internship and residency to become a doctor. Then, you must complete your specialist training in dermatology with the Australasian College of Dermatologists.
Below, we’ll outline the important steps to becoming a qualified dermatologist in Australia.
5 steps to becoming a dermatologist in Australia
- Consider if this is the right career path for you
It’s helpful to consider if becoming a dermatologist is the right career path for you. Dermatology requires you to have a strong foundation in medicine and a passion for patient care. You’ll need a curious and problem-solving mind with the ability to work in potentially stressful situations.
As mentioned, it can take around 12 years to become a dermatologist. The journey may be challenging but rewarding as you can positively impact the health outcomes and lives of people struggling with skin conditions. Assessing whether you can commit the time to study in this field is crucial to help you determine if it’s the right career to pursue.
If you’re an established healthcare provider and don’t want to become a dermatologist, yet are interested in expanding your knowledge of addressing dermatological conditions, there are a range of dermatology courses to explore that can enhance your skills. These courses are available to general practitioners, registrars, prevocational doctors and nurse practitioners, which can form part of your ongoing professional development training. These qualifications give you enhanced skills to diagnose and appropriately treat dermatological conditions and the confidence to know when urgent referral to a dermatologist or other specialist is required.
Importantly, these courses are vocational or professional development training only, providing additional dermatologist qualifications to support your clinical practice. These courses do not give you the same specialist qualification as a dermatologist.
The subsequent steps are for those interested in becoming a qualified dermatologist. - Complete an undergraduate degree in health or biomedical science
Dermatologists must first become a qualified medical doctor. The first step towards becoming a doctor typically involves completing a Bachelor of Health Science or Bachelor of Medical Science. You’ll gain foundational health science knowledge to progress into the next phase of your studies and become a doctor. - Complete your postgraduate studies and become a doctor
Then, you’ll continue your studies by completing a Doctor of Medicine, followed by a year-long internship at an accredited health facility such as a hospital. After this, you’ll complete another one to three years of residency training before becoming a qualified medical doctor. Your residency training is designed for you to gain experience in a range of specialties, expanding your clinical experience. During your residency, you may want to consider a rotation in dermatology to confirm your interest in this medical field. - Gain accreditation as a dermatologist
The field of dermatology is highly competitive and as such, aspiring dermatologists need to follow the ACD applications process to be considered for a specialist training position. This training takes four years and the ACD is the only accredited college that can access and train dermatologists in Australia.
To get started, you must first submit an online application with supporting documentation to the ACD. If successful, you’ll be invited for an in-person interview (the interview is held annually in August) at the ACD head office, before the final decisions are made on positions for the following year. Offers for training positions are typically emailed during October before the new training year in the following February.
The number of training positions varies each year, depending on the availability of accredited facilities and is subject to change during the selection process.
As part of your specialist training, you’ll be supervised in clinical settings by practising dermatologists. You’ll also undertake assessments and complete educational material throughout your training. During these four years of training, you’ll rotate through various positions and locations, which may include specialist rooms, hospitals, day surgeries, Aboriginal community health centres, regional health settings and non-clinical settings such as simulated learning environments. You’ll also have an opportunity to train overseas for a year.
If you’re an international medical graduate with qualifications gained outside of Australia, there are pathways available with the ACD to complete your specialist training to become a dermatologist.
Upon passing the fellowship examination and completing all your dermatology training, you’ll gain your fellowship with the ACD. You’ll also be eligible for specialist registration with the Medical Board of Australia under the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Once registered, you'll be ready to practise as a fully qualified dermatologist. - Start applying for jobs
Now that you’re qualified, you can begin working as a dermatologist.
You may want to reach out to the organisation where you completed your training to enquire about available dermatology jobs. Consider searching industry-specific job boards and career opportunities listed by the ACD. Explore job openings on reputable employment websites such as SEEK, Indeed and LinkedIn. These resources can be helpful when checking for dermatology jobs in your local area or interstate. Networking with professionals in dermatology clinics and hospitals can also be useful in building ongoing connections and gaining insights into the industry.
Postgraduate courses for a new career path
Becoming a dermatologist requires extensive study and commitment to your education. However, it’s a profession with promising future growth prospects. It’s possible to build a successful and rewarding career as a dermatologist, making a positive difference in people’s lives.
If you're a nurse looking to advance your skills, explore our range of postgraduate nursing courses to enhance your career. Areas of study include leadership, education and advanced nursing. These courses could be the first step toward becoming a nurse practitioner and furthering your expertise in dermatology.
Are you curious about postgraduate study but unsure where to start? GlobalHealth Education’s university partners offer healthcare courses in a range of fields, including social work, public health, counselling, nursing, psychology, leadership and mental health. If you need guidance about choosing a course, our Student Enrolment Advisors are ready to answer your questions.