Northern NSW Radiation Oncology Training Network

The Northern NSW Training Network provides high quality, structured training across multiple hospitals. Our aim is to support trainees with consistent teaching, supervision and access to diverse clinical settings.

Training includes:

• regular didactic and interactive tutorials led by experienced specialists
• structured education supported by cross-facility networking
• access to a wide range of tumour streams and treatment techniques.

Trainees are employed by one of eight home hospitals, where they spend most of their five-year program. RANZCR requires at least one 12-month rotation at another site to broaden clinical experience. All Network trainees must also complete at least 6 months at a regional centre such as Lismore, Coffs Harbour or Port Macquarie.

The Northern NSW Training Network is one of the largest in Australia. We offer:

• A mix of metropolitan and regional training environments.
• Comprehensive local and network-wide teaching.
• Access to a broad range of clinical services and technologies.

The annual Junior Medical Officer (JMO) recruitment campaign is coordinated by NSW Ministry of Health.

Key dates for Radiation Oncology Advanced Trainee positions:

• Advertising period: 15 July to 5 August 2025.
• Northern NSW Network interviews: Wednesday 20 August 2025.
• Clinical year: 2 February 2026 to 31 January 2027.

For more details, visit Campaign dates – 2026 Clinical Year.

To learn more about the Northern NSW Radiation Oncology Training Network, contact:

Kylie Withnell
Education Support Officer, Radiation Oncology
Email: WSLHD-ESORadOncNorthernNSW@health.nsw.gov.au

The Western Sydney Radiation Oncology Network brings together radiation oncology services across western Sydney. The network shares clinical and research expertise and is affiliated with The University of Sydney and Western Sydney University.

About our services

Westmead and Blacktown hospitals support a large and culturally diverse community of more than two million people. The network provides comprehensive cancer care for adults and children.

The Children’s Hospital at Westmead (CHW) sits next to Westmead Hospital. Children who need radiotherapy receive treatment at Westmead Hospital after referral from CHW.

Our teams and training

We offer six accredited registrar training positions, several unaccredited positions, postgraduate fellows and fifteen consultants.

We provide:

• stereotactic body radiotherapy and stereotactic radiosurgery (SBRT and SRS) for brain, bone and liver conditions
• five linear accelerators across the network, including a stereotactic unit
• a dedicated operating theatre, a brachytherapy service and an orthovoltage unit at Westmead Hospital
• coordinated multidisciplinary teams across all cancer streams.

Westmead Hospital is also installing an MRI simulator.

We deliver a strong education program and support registrars throughout their training.

Research

Our research program covers technical, clinical and laboratory science. We work with partners across WSLHD, universities, the Trans-Tasman Radiation Oncology Group (TROG), collaborative study groups and the Westmead Institute of Medical Research.

More information

Visit theSydney West Cancer Network website for details.

Nepean Hospital Radiation Oncology is part of the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District. The service operates from a comprehensive cancer care centre that opened in 1998 and supports communities across Penrith, the Blue Mountains, Richmond, Windsor and nearby areas.

Training and workforce

We offer three accredited trainee positions and one unaccredited registrar position, supported by five full-time consultants.

Our accredited training program has run for more than 20 years. It is regularly reviewed to meet College requirements and shaped by trainee feedback. Many of our graduates now work across the broader radiation oncology community.

Facilities and treatment

The department has:

• three linear accelerators
• a CT simulator
• an orthovoltage unit.

We also provide:

• image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) across all subsites
• stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for lung, bone, adrenal and liver conditions
• stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS).

Nepean Cancer Care Centre has long-standing multidisciplinary teams across all cancer streams to support high-quality, coordinated patient care.

Redevelopment

Nepean Hospital is undergoing major redevelopment. Phase 1 is close to completion, and Phase 2 will include a new Cancer and Wellness Centre, expected to open in 2025.

More information

Visit the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District website for details.

The Department of Radiation Oncology is a key part of the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, a comprehensive cancer centre that offers a full range of cancer care services. The centre is in Camperdown, opposite Royal Prince Alfred (RPA) Hospital and next to the University of Sydney.

About our service

We treat patients from local communities, across NSW and interstate, as well as international patients. We are one of the few sarcoma specialist centres in NSW for both bone and soft tissue tumours.

We work closely with Sydney Local Health District and operate under the auspices of RPA Hospital. We also play an important teaching role as part of the University of Sydney. Lifehouse hosts a major clinical trials unit and is a member of the NSW Early Phase Clinical Trials Alliance.

Training and workforce

We have six registrars, including five accredited training positions with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR). We also support up to two postgraduate fellows and have nine staff specialists.

Facilities and treatment

Our facilities include:

• five linear accelerators
• stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS)
• superficial and orthovoltage services
• a gynae brachytherapy unit.

We provide:

• a well-established cranial SRS program
• stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for lung, liver, bone and upper abdominal conditions
• a small number of total body irradiation treatments each year.

We contribute to multidisciplinary team meetings (MDTs) across all tumour streams within Lifehouse, RPA and Concord Hospital.

Teaching and education

Trainees have access to regular learning opportunities, including:

• weekly consultant-led combined oncology tutorials
• a weekly journal club
• planning tutorials
• structured pre-exam preparation.

More information

Visit the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse website for details.

The Department of Radiation Oncology at Royal North Shore Hospital (RNSH) supports communities across northern Sydney and manages the full range of malignant diseases.

About our service

We have twelve staff specialists who work in a multidisciplinary environment. Our team is committed to high-quality teaching and providing broad clinical experience.

We currently support:

• five accredited registrars
• a ward junior medical officer (JMO)
• a Career Medical Officer
• PhD students and fellows.

Research and innovation

RNSH is a leader in adopting and evaluating advanced radiotherapy techniques. Our research program is supported by an in-house statistician.

Facilities and treatment

Our department includes:

• three linear accelerators
• a superficial unit
• active brachytherapy services
• stereotactic capabilities
• online adaptive radiotherapy
• a simless program.

We see about 1,300 new referrals each year across the hospital and associated regional clinics.

We work closely with local Palliative Care, Medical Oncology and Surgical teams to provide coordinated care.

Training and education

We offer an active training program in medical physics and clinical oncology. Teaching opportunities include:

• weekly combined oncology teaching
• planning tutorials
• viva practice
• Phase 1 teaching sessions.

RNSH has a strong record of trainees passing RANZCR examinations, completing high-quality research and contributing to the wider radiation oncology community.

More information

Visit the Northern Sydney Local Health District websitefor details.

Calvary Mater Newcastle (CMN) is in the city of Newcastle, about 2 hours north of Sydney. CMN is the Hunter region’s major centre for cancer services, including radiation oncology, medical oncology, haematology, breast screening, melanoma care and palliative care. The campus is also home to the Trans-Tasman Radiation Oncology Group (TROG), which runs a wide range of local and international clinical trials.

About our service

CMN is one of the largest single-site radiation oncology departments in NSW. We provide specialised cancer services to a large geographical area and see more than 2,000 new patients each year. Trainees gain experience across a broad range of clinical cases with strong consultant supervision.

The department has a strong focus on education. Registrars are supported to attend College teaching days and take part in a comprehensive in-house teaching program.

Workforce

Our team includes:

• eleven radiation oncologists
• six to seven registrars
• one resident.

Facilities and treatment

The department is equipped with:

• five Varian linear accelerators
• an orthovoltage and superficial unit
• a Nucletron high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy unit
• CT and MRI simulators.

We offer subspecialist expertise across most complex radiotherapy cases, including:

• stereotactic radiotherapy for intracranial and extracranial sites
• gynaecological HDR brachytherapy
• treatment for paediatric patients who do not require sedation.

More information

Visit the Calvary Mater Newcastle website for details.

The Mid North Coast Cancer Institute (MNCCI) and the North Coast Cancer Institute (NCCI) include three public academic cancer centres located in Lismore, Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie. Each centre is co-located with NSW medical schools and provides Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Breast Screening, Haematology and Palliative Care services.

Workforce and training

Consultant numbers across the sites are:

• Lismore – three consultants
• Coffs Harbour – four consultants
• Port Macquarie – five consultants.

Training positions include:

• Coffs Harbour – two accredited positions
• Port Macquarie – four accredited and one unaccredited position
• Lismore – three accredited and one unaccredited position.

All centres meet weekly through video-conferenced clinical audits, teaching and multidisciplinary discussions. Trainees can also join the Network Registrar Teaching Program.

Facilities and technology

All centres are integrated, paperless departments that use the Mosaiq electronic medical record.

Each site has:

• two linear accelerators
• one CT simulator
• one superficial machine.

The institutes use advanced technologies, including volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). MRI and PET fusion is routinely performed, supported by on-site PET services in Lismore, Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie.

All subspecialties are available across the three centres, except for brachytherapy and paediatric radiotherapy.

Research and professional development

Registrars have strong opportunities to build clinical and research skills. Trainees receive support to attend national and international conferences, workshops and teaching weekends.

MNCCI and NCCI have active research programs. Registrars routinely meet research requirements and present at major meetings such as the RANZCR Annual Scientific Meeting, ASTRO and ESTRO.

More information

Visit the Mid North Coast Cancer InstituteandNorth Coast Cancer Institute for details.