The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG)

The specialist training program comprises the Core/Basic Training Program (4 years or 184 weeks), and the Advanced Training Program (a further 2 years or 92 weeks), which culminates in Fellowship of the College (FRANZCOG). Trainees cannot progress to Advanced Training until they have satisfactorily completed all Core/Basic Training requirements. Fellowship training involves six years (276 weeks) of postgraduate hospital-based training and assessment.

To apply for the Specialist O & G training program in Australia or New Zealand, medical practitioners must possess an approved Australian or New Zealand primary medical degree, or have the Australian Medical Council certificate (for applicants in Australia), or be a graduate of a Medical School recognised by the New Zealand Medical Council (for applicants in New Zealand). Medical practitioners must also have general registration with the Medical Board of Australia or the Medical Council of New Zealand.

Applicants accepted to the FRANZCOG Training Program cannot commence training unless they have completed PGY2 or above, and have obtained an accredited training position and prospective approval to undertake training in that position.

Further information can be found via the Statement of Principles, Eligibility, and Selection Criteria on the RANZCOG website.

Indigenous Entry Pathways Description

Not applicable.

Key Dates

Applications for training in New Zealand open in February each year, and in Australia in April. Details and key dates of the RANZCOG Trainee Selection Process can be found on the College website.

Placement Requirements

The specialist training program comprises the:

• Core/Basic Training Program – 4 years or 184 weeks
• Advanced Training Program – 2 years or 92 weeks)

Core/Basic Training

The four-year (184 weeks) Core Program includes the following:

• Rotation through a minimum of two different hospitals, with at least 46 weeks in a hospital other than that designated as the trainee’s ‘home’ or ‘base’ hospital and 23 weeks in a rural hospital.
• Logged clinical work in obstetrics and gynaecology resulting in attainment of prescribed competency levels in specified procedures
• Utilising the resources of CLIMATE, the RANZCOG e-learning platform
• Formative and summative assessments, including three-monthly appraisals and six-monthly assessment reports
• Experience in gynaecological oncology

Advanced Training

The Advanced Program follows the Core Program. It comprises the final two years (92 weeks) of the FRANZCOG Training Program. Trainees entering the Advanced Program are required to submit a plan each year which is designed to meet their own educational needs.

There are a variety of assessment methods over the duration of the FRANZCOG Training Program, including:

• Three-monthly Formative Appraisals
• Six-monthly Summative Assessments
• A logbook of all required procedural and other training experiences in every year of FRANZCOG training.
• Mandatory workshops
• Online learning modules
• In-Hospital Clinical Assessments (IHCAs)
• Assessment of Procedural Surgical Skills (APSSs)
• Research project/study
• Written Examination
• Oral Examination
• Advanced Training Modules (ATMs)

For further detail please refer to the Specialist Training and Assessments page of the RANZCOG website.

Please visit the website for up to date information on fees.

RANZCOG does not have a dedicated pathway for Indigenous entry; however, RANZCOG actively supports selection of Indigenous applicants (in both Australia and New Zealand) into the training program by allocating additional points on the basis of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status. An applicant who is of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, or who identifies as a person of such heritage and is accepted as such by the relevant community receives 10 points on their CV application. The CV application has a total of 48 points.

Further information relating to the FRANZCOG Training Program is on the College website.

Queries can be directed to the RANZCOG training team at training@ranzcog.edu.au

Indigenous Mentoring Programs, networks, support programs etc

Online modules:

• Cultural Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Health and Cultural Competency online learning
• Intercultural Competency online learning
• Feedback for trainees – This module has been created so that all who either provide or receive feedback are clear on what the expectations are during a trainee’s learning journey.
• Operating with respect – This module was created by RACS and uploaded by RANZCOG to help improve work environments to be psychologically safe for both clinicians and patients will ultimately result in safer care for patients, better standards of surgical training and service provision.
• Mentoring module – coming soon.

College Scholarships

RANZCOG has established an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scholarship to support a commencing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainee who may have experienced financial hardship and/or education disadvantage that has impacted on their ability to complete their training. Priority is given to Trainees commencing second year of training and whom have not completed their written or clinical examinations. The scholarship will provide financial support covering the annual training fee, and both written and oral examination fees.

Financial Assistance

RANZCOG does not have any specific financial assistance programs for Indigenous trainees; however, there are avenues for support and/or extensions of payment to all trainees experiencing financial hardship.