Total of 8 points available.

Academic achievement: (max. 5 points)

Higher degrees

• Completed PhD: 5 points
• Incomplete PhD/Masters: 0 point
• Masters degree (completed): 2 point
• Diploma: 1 point

No degrees will be excluded.

Academic performance

• Rhodes or Fulbright Scholarship: 2 points
• Significant academic prizes and achievements such as:
  • Evidence of being Top of University medical school year or similar (final year) e.g. or Dux of cohort or Program, winner of University Medal: max. 1 point
  • Other achievements such as: University Prizes e.g. Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence/Dean’s Honours List, Honours, other prizes, GPA at High Distinction average; recognition of academic excellence: 0.5 point per achievement (max 1 point – not adding up the same achievement for various years)
  • Grants/Scholarships: must be Chief Investigator (CIA) (International/substantial = 1 point, National/local = 0.5 point)

Research/Publications (max. 4 points)

Published Paper

• First or last author in Major* paper: 2 points per paper (*JIF >4)

Published Paper – lesser involvement:

• First or last author of research article in a lesser ranked journal: 1 point per paper
• Secondary author: 0.25 point each (to max. of 0.5 point awarded for this category)
• Case report (first author, main contributor): 0.5 point each (to max. of 0.75 points awarded this category)
• Two or more Case reports = 0.75 points; part marks for smaller contributions

Presentation/Posters (max. 1.5 point) – first author only

International Meeting/RANZCO Annual Scientific Congress

• One Presentation: 0.5 point
• Two Presentations: 0.75 point
• Three or more Presentations: 1 point

State Branch/Special Interest/Small scale meeting

• One Presentation: 0.25 point
• Two Presentations: 0.38 points
• Three or more Presentations: 0.5 point

Please note that while your ophthalmic work experience might count for relatively little in the overall centralised score, this additional information is essential for some of the networks to create their final shortlist.

• 0 points: no ophthalmic clinical experience
• 1 point: basic experience. Yes, to questions 1).
• 2 points: more basic experience. Yes, to questions 1) and 2).
• 3 points: evidence of some commitment to ophthalmic clinical experience beyond learning the basic exam technique. Yes, to questions 1), 2) and 3) with at least 6-months full-time equivalent (FTE) continuous experience
• 3.5 points: as above with at least 9-months full-time equivalent (FTE) experience
• 4 points: as above with at least 12-months full-time equivalent (FTE) experience

Note for Q3: each instance of time claimed must be in the same hospital, for example 6-months rotation in one position continuously plus 3-months rotation in another position to gain the 9-months points.

Additional points:

• 1 point: yes, to question 4) with acute/first on-call equivalent to 10 weeks (70 days) of on-call in total within the last two (2) years.
• 1 point: yes, to question 5) for performing 10 unsupervised laser capsulotomies and 30 unsupervised intravitreal injections within the last three (3) years. No points for partial completion.

Note: No extra points allocated for being a Temporary Training Registrar (TTR). But a TTR (as confirmed by the college) will be guaranteed a local interview in their state of training.

• For Australia, regional areas are defined as the Modified Monash Model (MMM) levels 2-7.
• For New Zealand regional areas are defined as any area outside of U1 by the Geographical Classification for Health.

Each entry must be for a continuous period you have spent living in a regional area (minimum of 12 months or more in any one area).

Please note: To gain any points under Regional Exposure you must meet the threshold of a minimum of two and a half (2.5) points for any experience to count. Please do not enter experience less than that.Points are only awarded for periods of regional exposure greater than or equal to those defined in each of the following categories. Please do not make any entries for periods shorter than these minimum periods – these will not be counted. Embellishment will be considered a reason for declining an application.

Formative years points:

Formative years are defined as from the year commencing primary school to the end of secondary school (K-12).
If a candidate’s primary residence is in a regional area, then they are eligible for points regardless of whether they attend school locally or at boarding school.

• 1 point for each 1 continuous year spent residing regionally during formative years.
• 3.5 points for a 3-year continuous period residing regionally during formative years.
• 5.5 points for a 4-year continuous period residing regionally during formative years.
• Maximum of 7 points for a 5-year continuous period residing regionally during formative years.

Adult years points:

Points for time spent living in a regional area as an adult. Points are only awarded for periods of 12 full months and more of continuous residence outside an urban area (as defined above).

• 1.25 points where 1 continuous year is spent residing regionally during adult years.
• 4 points for a 3-year continuous period residing regionally during adult years.
• 6 points for a 4-year continuous period residing regionally during adult years
• Maximum of 7 points for a 5-year continuous period residing regionally during adult years

Overriding points:

7 points for all candidates that have had 5 continuous or 10 cumulative years in a rural area meeting above criteria.

None (0 points):

• 0 points if 2.5-point minimum regional point threshold is not reached
• 0 points for being part of a bonded medical school scheme (except for above points).
• 0 points for rural undergraduate scholarships.
• 0 points for rural society membership.
• 0 points for international (outside AUS & NZ) regional areas.