What is a Clinical Immunology/Allergy Specialist?

Clinical immunology/allergy specialists and paediatric clinical immunology/allergy specialists are medical specialists who have been specifically trained to diagnose, treat and manage patients with allergy and other immune diseases.

• Clinical immunology/allergy specialists are medical specialists who have extensive postgraduate training in clinical immunology and allergy, fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP) and Full ASCIA membership. If they have trained in Immunopathology they will also be fellows of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (FRCPA). 
• Paediatric clinical immunology/allergy specialists are medical specialists who have extensive postgraduate training in paediatric clinical immunology and allergy, fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP) and Full ASCIA membership. If they have trained in Immunopathology they will also be fellows of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (FRCPA).

They work in hospitals and private practice, as listed on the ASCIA website www.allergy.org.au/patients/locate-a-specialist and a referral from a general practitioner (GP) is required. Information about when to refer patients is available at www.allergy.org.au/patients/allergy-and-clinical-immunology-services

Clinical immunology/allergy specialists and paediatric clinical immunology/allergy specialists diagnose, treat and manage patients with allergies, immunodeficiencies and other immune diseases:

• Allergic diseases are amongst the fastest growing chronic disease and public health issues in Australia and New Zealand, affecting around 20% of the population. They include food, insect and drug allergies, asthma, allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and eczema. Allergic diseases, particularly food allergy and drug allergy, are increasing in prevalence, complexity and severity.  The most severe type of allergic reaction is known as anaphylaxis, which is potentially life threatening. 
• Immunodeficiency diseases are serious, potentially life threatening conditions that are increasing in number and complexity. Delay in diagnosis of immunodeficiency disease leads to poor health outcomes and premature death.
• There are more than 100 different autoimmune diseases that affect around 5% of the population and if not appropriately managed, these can lead to significant disability. 

The Scope of Practice for clinical immunology/allergy specialists and paediatric clinical immunology/allergy specialists is available here.

Information about training to be a clinical immunology/allergy specialist or paediatric clinical immunology/allergy specialist is available here. 

Webage updated September 2024