As an educational institution, ACEM's prime objective is the training and examination of specialist emergency physicians for Australia and New Zealand.

ACEM was established in 1981, incorporated in 1984, and with Foundation Editor George Jelinek began publishing "Emergency Medicine in Australasia" in 1989.

Admission to Fellowship of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine requires satisfactory completion of a minimum of seven years of post-graduate medical training, including multiple examinations and presentation of a research project (or equivalent coursework).

Some medical professionals pointed out many of the “non-white” doctors were born and bred in Australia, but still found themselves facing minuscule pass rates.

The College recognises that discrimination can have a serious impact on those affected by it: it demeans the worth of individuals; it prevents our people from reaching their true potential; and it causes the loss of highly desirable talent from our profession.