About the Sydney Child Health Program:
A graduate-entry, online, comprehensive continuing professional development program for doctors, nurses and allied health professionals that aims to enhance knowledge, skills and confidence in treating children and adolescents. It offers an excellent overview of evidence based current best practice in paediatrics covering more than 30 sub-specialties from neonates to adolescents as a part-time program of study presented by over 100 renowned clinicians of the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network and the University of Sydney. There is a suggested study time of 3 to 4 hours per weeks, over 38 weeks.
A total of 111 Webcasts form the core of the program content. These are compulsory and are available on-line. Webcasts are updated annually and presented by internationally renowned paediatric experts, They are recorded at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead. Participants are welcome to attend live presentations at all times.
SCHP Learning outcomes
The program content is divided into nine modules which reflect a journey of learning in paediatric education covering all sub-specialty areas from neonate to adolescents. Upon completion of the program, participants can expect to:
- Determine how health inequities impact on the care for children and advocate for vulnerable paediatric patients.
- Assess and manage common paediatric presentations according to current best evidence
- Identify and apply management plans of common paediatric problems
- Communicate diagnosis and management of patients and their needs to parents/carers/healthcare professionals
SCHP Learning pathway
The table below shows the nine modules and the recommended time it takes to complete watching the webcasts.


Download SCHP curriculum here
SCHP Assessment timelines
The Sydney Child Health Program offers two final examination streams. The assessment timelines of each final examination stream is displayed below.
June 2021 Exam stream

December 2021 Exam stream

For Australian and New Zealand SCHP Participants
Australian and New Zealand participants enrolled in the Sydney Child Health Program (SCHP) are required to complete the following assessment tasks:
Assessment Task | Weighting | Key aspects |
Case Report 1 – Health Inequity | 10% | 1000 word case report using template. After modules 1 & 2 are completed |
Case Report 2 - Medical | 10% | 1000 word case report using template From any module 1 –9. |
Oral Assessment Task | N/A | Standardised structured viva Must achieve ‘SATISFACTORY’ |
Written Final examination | 80% | Multiple choice exam Must achieve 'PASS' |
TOTAL | 100% |
For SCHP International Participants (outside Australia and New Zealand), the SCHP requirements include completion of the following assessment tasks:
Assessment Task | Weighting | Key aspects |
Case Report 1 – Health Inequity | 5% | 1000 word case report using template. After modules 1 & 2 are completed |
Case Report 2 - Medical | 5% | 1000 word case report using template From any module 1 –9. |
Written Final examination | 70% | Multiple choice exam Must achieve 'PASS' |
Oral Final examination | 20% | Standardised structured viva Must achieve ‘PASS' |
TOTAL | 100% |
2021 will see changes to assessments in line with curriculum enhancement. Any new enrolee or current participant from prior years allocated a 2021 exam stream or even deferring their exam to 2021 will be governed by the new assessment rules.
Program requirements - Program marks and Clinical experience
Program Marks
To successfully complete the SCHP, Participants must:
Program | Program requirements | Assessments | PASS Marks | |
|
|
|||
Sydney Child Health Program (Australian and New Zealand participants) |
- Successfully complete Case Report 1 and 2 - Sucessfully complete the Oral Assessment Task (OAT) - Pass the Final Written Examination |
Written Exam Oral Assessment Task Overall |
Satisfactory 50% |
Satisfactory 45% |
Sydney Child Health Program (International participants) |
- Successfully complete Case Report 1 and 2 - Pass the Oral Final Examination - Pass the Final Written Examination |
Written Exam Oral Exam Overall |
Satisfactory 50% |
Satisfactory 45% |
Paediatric Clinical Experience
Together with successful completion of the program assessment, Participants must provide evidence of 26 weeks (6 months) paediatric clinical experience (12 months for Participants in Hong Kong) in order to receive a Certificate of Completion. Participants may acquire paediatric experience at any time before, during or after undertaking the program. Experience in clinical paediatric medicine is calculated at 25% time in:
- Emergency Departments (with paediatric patients)
- General Practice (where paediatric patients are treated)
- Obstetrics Practice
Please see FAQ’s for additional information
At International Locations - Collaborative in-country learning:
At established sites outside Australia, in addition to Webcasts, Case Journals and other resources, Participants have the opportunity to attend one hour weekly Tutorials with a local Paediatric expert. Tutorials provide additional local content relevant to each webcast, highlighting key areas of difference in cultural and traditional medicine practices, genetics, legal responsibilities, local antibiotic and immunisation protocols, how best to use local resources and how to interpret common local presentations. Tutorials can be conducted face to face, at a bedside, by phone or by videoconference.
Extracurricular Activities
During the duration of SCHP enrolment, there may be opportunities to attend additional educational experiences or services to some participants which are held in Sydney. These have included:
- 7 Live Webinars annually – Recorded version available as examinable content.
- SCHP Journal Case Studies released monthly.
- Community Child Health visits for Sydney Participants (Participants from all other locations are strongly encouraged to seek out services and attend at least once where possible).
- Practical Paediatrics for GPs held annually at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney.
- 3-day Clinical Workshop is held just prior to the December Final Examination held at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney. *additional fee applicable.
- Study Groups
Additional learning resources for participants are available online following enrolment. These include links to lists of free e-journals, Kids Health Fact Sheets to enhance your communication with Parents and Carers, online National Prescribing Curriculum – paediatric modules, and additional (non-examinable) webcasts.