Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) and its Faculty of Pain Medicine (FPM)

The ANZCA training program comprises a minimum of five years (260 weeks) full-time equivalent of supervised clinical placements within ANZCA-accredited training sites, distributed over four core units. The program provides education and training for all clinical environments and contexts, including foundation knowledge and skills for sub-specialised areas of practice.

The FPM training program comprises a minimum of two years (88 weeks) full-time equivalent of approved clinical experience directly related to pain medicine, distributed over two mandatory stages. Each training stage comprises 44 weeks of clinical activity. The program enables trainees to develop practical clinical skills in a supervised learning environment. Trainees in the FPM training program are required to hold a primary specialist qualification acceptable to the faculty board to be eligible to apply for admission to fellowship.

In order to register as an ANZCA trainee, you must:

• Have completed at least 104 weeks (full-time equivalent) prevocational medical education and training experience. These 104 weeks can include no more than 52 weeks experience in any combination of clinical anaesthesia, intensive care or pain medicine. Up to six weeks leave may be included for each 52 weeks of PMET.
• Be appointed to a training position at an ANZCA-accredited training site.
• Complete the college’s application and registration process and pay the relevant fees.

For entry into the FPM training program, view the requirements here.

Indigenous Entry Pathways Description

Not applicable

Key Dates

Trainees should register with the college as soon as they get a training position at an ANZCA-accredited or FPM-accredited training site.

Key dates for fees and exams are below:

• ANZCA training program: Fees; Exams
• FPM training program: Fees; Exams

Placement Requirements

ANZCA and the FPM accredit training sites and are not involved in appointing trainees to training positions. The requirements for accreditation of training sites are detailed in the relevant accreditation handbook:

• ANZCA training program
• FPM training program

Required assessments and activities for completion are detailed in the relevant training handbook:

• ANZCA training program
• FPM training program

Training fees are detailed on the college website:

• ANZCA training program
• FPM training program

Indigenous Mentoring Programs, networks, support programs etc

The college has an Indigenous health strategy which frames our work towards health equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia and Māori in New Zealand.

An advice service is available for Indigenous medical students and prevocational doctors seeking information around anaesthesia and pain medicine as a career and the systems in place for trainees in specific states and hospitals.

Email Indigenoushealth@anzca.edu.au to be put in touch with an anaesthetist in your area.

College Scholarships

Annual Scientific Meeting Scholarship
ANZCA offers up to three sponsorship packages for Australian and New Zealand Indigenous medical students and junior doctors to attend the college’s Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM).

ANZCA Trainee Bursary
ANZCA makes a number of bursaries available each year to assist anaesthesia trainees who are suffering severe financial hardship. Each bursary will be awarded in the form of a 50 per cent reduction in the annual training fee. Only registered trainees of ANZCA are eligible to apply.

Financial Assistance

Indigenous Trainees Course Support
ANZCA offers financial support to Indigenous trainees to attend primary and final exam preparation courses run by college regional offices.