The Australian Medical Association (WA) offers industrial and professional guidance, support and representation for all doctors in training (DiTs).

The AMA (WA) Doctors in Training Practice Group places DiTs at the heart of AMA (WA) policy-making and political advocacy. Combined with our workplace advocacy, member benefits and professional services, the AMA (WA) is here to promote your professional interests and support your journey to specialisation.

Whilst DiTs adapted and rose to the many challenges posed during COVID-19, existing workforce shortages and difficulties accessing leave were exacerbated, with burnout becoming increasingly prevalent amongst DiTs.

In a post-pandemic environment, the AMA (WA) continues to address systemic issues facing the DiT workforce including: fatiguing and non-compliant rosters; continued issues with leave access; unpaid overtime; lack of sufficient training and non-clinical time; rising professional development costs; and a lack of ‘nominal length of training’ appointments.

The AMA (WA) Industrial Team has been assisting DiTs and fighting on behalf of members when these unacceptable issues arise, and is in frequent conversations with the Chief Medical Officer and WA Health on a wide range of DiT matters.

Hospital Health Check

With questions on morale and culture, wage theft, payslips and bullying, and a continued focus on education for career progression and access to leave, the Hospital Health Check was developed by DiTs for DiTs. The annual survey originated here in WA, back in 2015, and has since been adopted by other AMA state and territory offices.

Responses to HHC are anonymous. Furthermore, all responses are collated, analysed and reported by the AMA (WA) independent of the hospitals. All DiTs are invited to participate in the survey, and strongly encouraged to respond freely and openly. From 2023, the methodology changed to capture data by Employer/Health Service Provider (HSP), reflective that DiTs apply to work for a HSP and may be placed at multiple sites.

Results from the 2025 AMA (WA) Hospital Health Check, based on surveys completed by a record-breaking almost 1,500 DiTs, found that overall, 30% of participants reported experiencing bullying, discrimination or sexual harassment; 44% reported witnessing bullying, discrimination or sexual harassment; and 34% feared negative consequences reporting inappropriate behaviour. Burnout continued to be a prevalent issue but there were notable improvements across most Employers. Furthermore, for the first time in its history there is not a single F grade to be found on this year’s HHC scorecard, with significant improvements in many areas underpinned by ongoing advocacy efforts and Agreement negotiations facilitated by the AMA (WA).

Given the integral role that International Medical Graduates (IMGs) play in the functioning of the WA Health system, we are pleased to note that more than 300 IMG respondents have completed this year’s survey, after IMG-specific questions were added to the survey for the first time last year.

With the data gathered from the 2025 HHC survey, the AMA (WA) and the Doctors in Training Practice Group will continue to progress and prosecute issues on your behalf, so that you can focus on patient care and your journey to specialisation.

View the 2025 Hospital Health Check Report Card by clicking here.