The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia RCPA

Recruitment for 2027 Pathology Trainee positions in RCPA-accredited laboratories is now underway🏃🏽‍♀️‍➡️

If you have completed at least two years of postgraduate clinical work and are ready to specialise, now is your chance to apply for a pathology Trainee position in your chosen discipline.

Why pathology?
Pathology sits at the heart of diagnostic medicine, offering rewarding and diverse career options across seven disciplines:

🔬Anatomical pathology
🧪Chemical pathology
🔍Forensic pathology
🧬Genetic pathology
🩸Haematology
😷Immunology
🦠Microbiology

How to apply
Some state and territory health departments have begun advertising, and others will do so shortly.

Visit your preferred health department or government website to find out more and apply.

Good luck to all Trainee applicants. The RCPA is keen to welcome the next cohort of future pathologists to the College!

🗣️“These opportunities create space for growth, reflection, and draw you into a circle of people who genuinely want to see you flourish.”

Dr Bharti Ramnani, a dual-trained Fellow in anatomical and molecular pathology, was the 2025 recipient of the RCPA Foundation Bev Rowbotham Pathology Leaders Award.

As part of the funding, Dr Ramnani has been able to complete the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) course, providing a valuable understanding of building governance, strategy and leadership.

The Bev Rowbotham Pathology Leaders Award is just one of 13 grants available in this year’s grants round, with AU$8,000 to support Fellows and Trainees in advancing their skills in leadership and management.

With up to AU$341,000 worth of funding available this year, see more details about some of the other grants on offer below:
• NEW for 2026: Perinatal Pathology Career Pathways Grant – AU$7,000
• Faculty of Science Education and Research – AU$5,000
• Roger Crouch Award for Ophthalmic Pathology Publication – AU$1,000

Applicants can apply from across the globe, including RCPA members working in Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia🌍

The closing date for all grant applications is Friday 31 July 2026.

You can find out more about all 13 grants available at https://rcpa.me/Foundation-Grants-2026

Have you listened to the first episode of Season 2 of The Pathology Report podcast yet? 🎧

Fun fact: Around 4 million (yes million) pathology reports have been uploaded to My Health Record each week since September 2025.

Join host and anatomical pathologist Ben Dessauvagie as he discusses the potential benefits and challenges of patient-friendly reporting with guests clinical scientist Julie Sherfan, chemical pathologist Kay Weng Choy and Pamela Robson from Pathology Tests Explained.

If you enjoyed this conversation, make sure you subscribe to The Pathology Report podcast for a new episode coming your way this Wednesday.

Listen via your favourite podcast platform or at https://rcpa.me/The-Pathology-Report-S2-Ep1

The RCPA offers its warmest congratulations to the pathologists and scientists recognised earlier this week in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours List.

It is an immense source of pride for the College to see RCPA Fellows achieve outstanding success in their medical careers, and we are truly inspired by the scope of specialities that these members work across and what they have achieved.

Although their specialties differ, each of the recipients is driven by a desire to progress our understanding of disease, and ultimately improve people's lives. Commenting on his appointment as a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in the General Division, Professor William David Rawlinson AM reflected

“The ability to work with families affected by congenital infection of their children, particularly with congenital Cytomegalovirus is a great privilege. There are 1-2 children born every day with lifelong disability due to congenital Cytomegalovirus, and 1-2 die every week from the same disease, in Australia. The compassionate way these families care for each other, the love shown when they come to clinical, scientific and community meetings to educate people about reducing their risk of congenital Cytomegalovirus, is inspiring and humbling.”

Congratulations again to the following award recipients, we hope you are all taking the time to celebrate this weekend.

🏅Professor William David Rawlinson AM.
Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in the General Division
For eminent service to the medical sciences as a virologist, to clinical research and education, and to national and international public health.

🏅Professor Jozef Gecz
Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the General Division
For distinguished service to human translational genetic science, to genomic research, to child health, and to neurodevelopmental disability.

🏅Professor Suran Loshana Fernando
Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division
For service to medicine in the field of immunology.

🏅Dr Roger Hampson
Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division
For service to medicine as a pathologist.

🏅Dr Noemi Horvath
Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division
For service to haematology.

🏅Dr David John Joske
Member of the Order of Australia (AM)
For significant service to haematology, and to pioneering the use of integrative oncology.

Applications are now open for the 2026 RCPA Foundation grants and awards program, offering up to AU$341,000 in funding to support the science and practice of pathology.

Through these awards and grants, Trainees and Fellows can pursue educational and research initiatives to better understand disease processes, and support innovation in pathology practice.

But did you know how the RCPA Foundation as it is now known came to be?

Formalising a long history of investment in education and research, the then RCPA Council (now Board) voted to form the Foundation back in 2011.

The Foundation was then incorporated into the official College structure, complete with its own Board, responsible for managing donations and awarding funding on an annual basis. Over time, the Foundation took on the responsibility for managing existing awards, such as the Kanematsu Research Award into haematological disorders, and looked to support new opportunities.

Since then, the number of grants and awards has grown, the latest being the Perinatal Pathology Career Pathways Grant created earlier this year to support anatomical pathologists wanting to explore career opportunities in perinatal pathology.

The Foundation does not receive government funding, with the awards and grants made possible by the generous donations of individuals, many of whom are RCPA Fellows.

🔗Explore the 2026 awards and grants on offer and apply by 31 July https://rcpa.me/Foundation-Grants-2026

🔗Contribute to the RCPA Foundation https://rcpa.me/FoundationDonations

VR-y good to see you, Aotearoa New Zealand!

It was wonderful to take part in the New Zealand Medical Students' Association (NZMSA) Annual Conference, Toiora 2026, held in Tamaki Makaurau, Auckland over the weekend.

It was the perfect opportunity to debut our new Virtual Reality experience, giving medical students a taste of what it's like to work in pathology at the forefront of diagnostic medicine.

Thank you to everyone who engaged with the RCPA team and gave the VR a go!

A big thanks to the RCPA Trainees who came along to take part in the conference - Drs Printha Ramachandran, Dylan Van Lier, Joanne Pinto and Jason Yan. The College appreciates you taking the time to share your passion for pathology with medical students.

If you are interested in a career in pathology, make sure you sign up to our careers newsletter for the latest news and opportunities (including where our new VR experience will be heading to next!)

🔗 https://rcpa.me/careers

Vale, Professor Scolyer .

It is with deep sadness that the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia acknowledges the passing of Fellow Professor Richard Scolyer AO.

A world-renowned pathologist and leader in melanoma research, Prof Scolyer’s courage to apply therapies he pioneered in the melanoma space to his own brain cancer not only prolonged his life, but opened up the possibility of new treatments and hope for others facing the same diagnosis. It is testament to Prof Scolyer’s character that even in his darkest days, he saw the opportunity for progress, and the capacity of medicine to have a positive impact on humanity.

Prof Scolyer’s intellect, generosity, and unwavering commitment to medicine have created a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire the College, its members and future generations of clinicians and researchers. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to celebrate Prof Scolyer in person and hear from some of the doctors he has mentored only a few months ago at the inaugural Richard Scolyer Innovation Oration.

The College extends its deepest condolences to Richard’s wife Dr Katie Nicoll and the Scolyer family at this difficult time.

We also offer our support and sympathies to members of the pathology community who worked alongside Prof Scolyer or were touched by his research and mentorship. We encourage anyone who may require support to reach out to the College and our team.

Professor Richard Scolyer AO - My Uncertain Path