Fellowship and Associateship

What is a Fellow?

Fellowship of the College certifies professional competence in Aesthetic Medicine according to the College’s prescribed standards.  This is the highest membership category awarded in the College. It is a significant professional achievement and is awarded by the College to those individuals who have demonstrated to their peers that they have the knowledge, attitudes, conceptual and communication skills to be recognised in the Aesthetic Medicine field.

Become a Fellow

In 2021 the Australasian College of Aesthetic Medicine (ACAM) will introduce two new fellowship pathways, with the third program to be offered in early 2022.   ACAM recognises that in place of an accredited and AMC recognised training program, qualifications, (quality, quantity and type) are not sanctioned. Given the unregulated nature of the aesthetic medicine profession, with no minimum educational requirements, ACAM would encourage practitioners to join and take part in one of the three fellowship pathways administered by ACAM. 

Recognising medical practitioners as adult learners, ACAM has designed three fellowship pathways; two are designed for medical practitioners who have experience within the aesthetic medicine profession, and one for those with recognised minimal experience who would like to enter the field of aesthetic medicine.  Each fellowship pathway is unique; there are, however, some commonalities between them.  These skills highlight the minimum expected skill base ACAM identifies as required to provide aesthetic services and educational standards expected of fellows.  Where possible the pathways are recognised for CPD points by ACAM, RACGP and ACRRM.

 ACAM Fellowship Pathways

Pathway I             ACAM Fellowship by ACAM Educational Pathway

Pathway II           ACAM Fellowship by Academic Pathway

Pathway III         ACAM Fellowship by Practice Based Assessment

Fellowship pathways II and III are designed for practitioners who can demonstrate practical experience:

• Have a minimum of three years cosmetic/aesthetic medicine experience, (or its part-time equivalent pro rata);
• At least one year of which aesthetic medicine experience gained within Australia;
• Be active in aesthetic medicine within Australia (i.e. in current practice).

ACAM Fellowship by Practice Based Assessment (PBA) (Pathway III) offers continuous enrolment for those practitioners who wish to complete this pathway.  ACAM Fellowship by Academic Pathway (Pathway II) will be launched in early 2022.

ACAM Educational Pathway (Pathway I) is designed for doctors who would like to enter the field of aesthetic medicine and have minimal or no experience in aesthetic medicine.  This pathway offers the continuous enrolment option.  It has been designed to allow maximum educational flexibility, and to make the most of online learning platforms to allow studying at your convenience. Candidates that enter the ACAM Fellowship program by ACAM Educational Pathway will be required to complete the ACAM Introduction to Cosmetic Medicine Workshop.  You will be automatically enrolled in the workshop by the course administrator; your enrolment in the clinical workshop is timed to ensure that all criteria for the pathway are completed by your two year completion date (from your enrolment).  In addition, be required to complete a log book (click here to view) with 100 cases per guidelines. 

ACAM Fellowship Equivalence Recognition Program

ACAM awards equivalence fellowship to current Fellows of another medical or surgical College recognized by the Australian Medical Council or the New Zealand Medical Council or international equivalent in the area of cosmetic/aesthetic medicine; or are doctors with significant experience in the field of Aesthetic Medicine who the ACAM Board has invited to apply for Fellowship*;[1]

*Definition of ‘significant experience.’

1. Be a past or present holder of high office in their College or Academy;
2. Have made a contribution of international significance to cosmetic medicine;
3. Made a significant contribution to the Australasian College of Aesthetic Medicine;
4. And ACAM reserves the right to offer Fellowship of the College in exceptional circumstances to doctors who have made a highly significant contribution to Aesthetic Medicine but may not have fulfilled all three of the criteria listed above; furthermore
5. ACAM reserves the right to evaluate an equivalence fellowship candidate and refuse direct Fellowship on the basics of unclear education or practice or practice that is not relevant to cosmetic/aesthetic medicine. For example, most practice work is skin cancer, surgery or general practice, but minimal experience/practice in cosmetic/aesthetic medicine. However, the candidate may be invited to complete an ACAM fellowship pathway (I or II) to gain the necessary skills and academic merit in cosmetic/aesthetic medicine.
6. Individuals who have not completed a fellowship will not be considered for the equivalence fellowship pathway and may be invited to complete an ACAM fellowship pathway (I or II) to gain the necessary skills and academic merit in cosmetic/aesthetic medicine. 

Become a Nurse Associate

ACAM Nurse Associate Pathway 

This pathway aims to provide nurses with an internationally recognised and independent university qualification, contributing to their Nurse Associate status with ACAM.   The course offers interested nurses a flexible and achievable study format and a worldwide recognised qualification.  ACAM nursing members who enrol in the USW Postgraduate Certificate in Cosmetic and Aesthetic Medicine enjoy discounted fees negotiated by ACAM.  The University of South Wales was established in 2013 following the merger of the University of Glamorgan and the University of Wales, Newport.  USW offers the Postgraduate Certificate of Cosmetic and Aesthetic Medicine, which completes the academic training needs for the ACAM Nurse Associate Pathway. 

To review this course click here and 50 case logbook click here.   For further information on Nurse Associate Pathway description click here.

Steps to Enrolling in an ACAM Fellowship and Associateship Pathway

1. ACAM fellowship and associateship pathways are open to financial Members of ACAM.  To become a member of ACAM refer here. Incomplete information will delay your application.
2. Members are granted access to the Member’s Portal, log on and locate Pathway Programs, review the information concerning the pathway programs;
3. Click the link of the pathway of your choice, and complete the application process, paying the application fee.  Incomplete information will delay your application.
4. Once your application is accepted, you have two weeks to finalise your account via the Member’s Portal. Your program will be started from the date of enrollment fee payment. You will be provided with your access as practically possible.

As a Fellow

As a Fellow of the Australasian College of Aesthetic Medicine you also agree to:

• At your own cost maintain appropriate professional indemnity insurance.
• Comply with all legal requirements pertaining to your practice as a consultant Doctor and to conform to the general standards required by all relevant regulatory bodies and the Australian College of Aesthetic Medicine (ACAM).
• Ensure at all times that you are duly licensed and registered and properly qualified to perform his/her duties as a consultant Medical Practitioner including, without limitation, ensuring at all times that he/she is a “medical practitioner” within the meaning of the Health Insurance Act (1973) (“HIA”).
• Act honestly in the relationship with ACAM and comply with all reasonable rules and regulations which have been or may hereafter be established by ACAM.
• Be familiar with the aims and objectives of ACAM and provide support and participate actively with continuing education in Aesthetic Medicine.
• Commit to the profession with involvement in continuing professional development.