Australasian College of Dermatologists

The Australasian College of Dermatologists was founded in 1967. There are currently over 550 Fellows of the College^[1] and over 100 registrars (doctors in training).^{[citation needed]}

The ACD is the only recognised body for training as a dermatologist in Australia.^[2][3][4][5] It is a member of the Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges.^[6]

Australia and New Zealand have relatively high rates of both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer, thought to be due to combinations of fair-skinned population, temperate to subtropical locations and outdoor lifestyle with high sun exposure.^[7]

Traditionally dermatology training was undertaken as part of General Physician training. In the 1960s, dermatologists in NSW and Victoria thought that a separate College was warranted.^{[citation needed]}

The College was inaugurated as the Australian College of Dermatologists on 1 May 1967.^[8]

Candidates complete a four-year fellowship to be admitted as a Fellow of the ACD.^{[citation needed]}

Dermatologists are medical specialists and should be differentiated from primary-care doctors who work at "skin screening" clinics. All specialist dermatologists have a very high level of training and practice experience in their field. There is less regulation of primary-care skin clinics where quality and experience may therefore vary.^{[citation needed]}

In New Zealand, advanced training in dermatology can be done through the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.^[9]