Regulation 15

Note:  Dates in italics flag the dates of recent changes to the regulation, e.g., 10/04 indicates a change made to the following paragraph in October 2004.

Regulation 15 applies to all Trainees from 1 January 2007.

15.1   Definitions and Abbreviations

The definitions and abbreviations as specified in Regulation 14 apply to Regulation 15.

15.2   Prevocational Medical Education and Training (PMET)

15.2.1   Hospital medical officers and other medical practitioners may apply to the College for registration as a Trainee after completing 12 months PMET.

15.2.2   Approved Training can only commence after 24 months PMET has been completed. The date of graduation from medical school is deemed the date of formal completion of university studies.

15.2.3   The 24 months PMET may include a maximum of 12 months experience in any combination of Clinical Anaesthesia, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Medicine.

15.3   Registration

All Trainees must register for training with the College and submit the following documentation:

15.3.1   The original basic medical qualification or a copy certified by a Justice of the Peace (JP) or an equivalent official.
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15.3.2   An original hospital document or a copy certified by a JP or an equivalent official that confirms required PMET experience.
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15.3.3   A signed Training Agreement that allows the College to keep, and have access to, all information necessary for training purposes.
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15.3.4   An original birth certificate or the identity page of a current passport or a copy certified by a JP or an equivalent official.
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15.4   Training Fees

For Training Time to be recognised, Trainees must pay the following training fees:

15.4.1   A once-only Register of Training Fee, which must be paid within three months of commencing Approved Training.  Candidates presenting for the Primary Examination prior to commencing Approved Training must pay this fee.

15.4.2   An Annual Training Fee which must be paid by 31 January each year by all Trainees except those in Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia who must pay by 30 June. Trainees commencing a Training Year in an Approved Training Site after 1 March must pay the Annual Training Fee within three months of starting the appointment.
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15.4.2.1   Trainees undertaking Part-time Training, or spending only part of a Hospital Employment Year in Approved Training, or spending part or all of the year outside Australia, New Zealand, and Affiliated Training Regions during any single continuous year of Approved Training, will pay the full Annual Training Fee.
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15.4.2.2   Trainees granted retrospective recognition of training experience that predates commencement of Approved Training must pay the full Annual Training Fee for each year of credited training.  Retrospective recognition of training is provisional until all relevant fees are paid.

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15.4.2.3   Trainees will be required to pay no more than five Annual Training Fees in the course of their FANZCA training and, unless interrupting their training, are liable for these fees in the first five consecutive Hospital Employment Years of their personal training program, irrespective of whether this training is full-time or part-time.

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15.4.3   A Deferred Training Fee is payable by Trainees undertaking Interrupted Training, as defined in Regulation 15.10.  Trainees who have not completed their training for FANZCA in five years are required to pay the Deffered Training Fee for each additional training year, irrespective of whether this training is full-time or part-time.

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15.4.4   Medical pracitioners who are not registered with the College and who enquire about recognition of prior experience for Approved Training may be required to pay an Assessment Fee.

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15.5   The FANZCA Training Program

The FANZCA Training Program requires completion of specified Training Time, Clinical Training, Curriculum Modules, examinations and other assessments, and the EMAC or EMST course.

15.5.1   The Training Time required shall be five years of Approved Training, comprising from 1 January 2004, two years of Basic Training and three years of Advanced Training.

15.5.1.1   Approved Training commences on the date the Trainee takes up a supervised appointment within an Approved Training Site, having complied with all the requirements of PMET, registration with the College, and payment of training fees.

15.5.1.2   A maximum of 24 months Training Time may be undertaken outside Australia, New Zealand, or Affiliated Training Regions. This Training Time requires prospective approval by the Assessor and:

15.5.1.2.1   Is limited to a maximum of 12 months each in Basic Training and Advanced Training.

15.5.1.2.2   Must be undertaken for at least three consecutive months in an appointment recognised by an appropriate College or training body for specialist training in Anaesthesia or related specialties.

15.5.2   The Clinical Training required is 60 months of Approved Training consisting of:

15.5.2.1   Clinical Anaesthesia of at least 33 months in Approved Training Sites or equivalent as accepted by Council.

15.5.2.2   Intensive Care Medicine of three months in a unit that has been approved by Council.  This period need not be continuous, but each component period must last at least one month.

15.5.2.3   An optional training component in related disciplines and research of up to 24 months in any combination of:

• Intensive Care Medicine in a unit approved by Council (other than in 15.5.2.2)
• Neonatal Intensive Care in a unit approved by Council
• Pain Medicine
• Clinical Medicine
• Emergency Medicine
• Retrieval Medicine
• A formal research program of at least six months duration.
• Any other training experience that is relevant to the practice of anaesthesia.

15.5.2.3.2   The training experience must be recognised by the relevant College or training body as appropriate for specialist training.

15.5.2.3.3   This training experience need not be continuous, but except for approved formal research programs, each component period must last at least three months.

15.5.2.3.4   Trainees must submit an application in writing to seek prospective approval from the Assessor for Clinical Training outside of Clinical Anaesthesia, Intensive Care Medicine or Pain Medicine, including formal research programs. The application must include comprehensive details of the proposed training experience to demonstrate its relevance to anaesthesia.  A rotation in a Regional Training Program, such as a research secondment, does not require formal approval.

15.5.3   The Curriculum Modules must be completed as follows:

15.5.3.1   Modules 1 to 3 plus at least one of Modules 4 to 10 must be completed in Basic Training.  Modules that were not completed in Basic Training must be completed in Advanced Training with Modules 11 and 12.  Modules 2 and 3 cannot commence until six months of training have been completed. Modules 4 to 10 may be completed in either Basic or Advanced Training. These are specified in Professional Document TE2 Policy on Vocational Training Modules and Module Supervision.

15.5.3.2   After completing each of Modules 1 and 3 to 10, Trainees must have its Validation of Full Completion in the Learning Portfolio signed by the relevant Module Supervisor, or if absent, by the Supervisor of Training.
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15.5.3.3   Modules 4 to 10 remain valid for 10 years after completion.  A Trainee must repeat a Module if its validity expires before he/she completes all other requirements for admission to Fellowship.

15.5.3.4   Exemptions from completing certain Modules are specified in the regulations regarding Basic Training, Advanced Training, and Retrospective Recognition of Training.  Unless specified, Modules exempted are deemed completed on the date of registration with the College.

15.5.4   Examinations and other Assessments required to be satisfactorily completed are:

15.5.4.1   The Primary and Final Examinations as specified in Regulation 14.

15.5.4.2   In-Training Assessments using the criteria and process set out in Professional Document TE14 Policy for the In-Training Assessment of Trainees in Anaesthesia.

15.5.4.3   On-line self-assessment test to complete Module 2 Professional Attributes.

15.5.4.4   On-line self-assessment test to complete Module 12 Professional Practice.

15.5.5   The EMAC or the EMST course, or an equivalent course recognised by Council must be satisfactorily completed, and may be undertaken at any stage during training.

15.6   Basic Training

Basic Training comprises BTY1 and BTY2, each of 12 months duration.

15.6.1   The requirements for Basic Training are:

15.6.1.1   Completion of BTY1 and BTY2.  Basic Trainees must submit the relevant Approved Vocational Training Form within three months of completing each training year.  A Trainee who fails, without reasonable excuse, to submit the form on time, is disqualified from Approved Training from the date that the form was due to the date the form was received by the College.
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15.6.1.2   Completion of Curriculum Modules.  Trainees must submit a completed Module Completion Form for Modules completed in the training year with the Approved Vocational Training Form for that year.
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15.6.1.3   A pass in the Primary Examination.  Trainees who have fulfilled all requirements other than successful completion of the Primary Examination, may commence Advanced Training a day after passing the examination.

15.6.2   Basic Trainees who have completed two years Training Time shall remain in BTY2 until all the requirements of Basic Training are met.

15.6.3   Basic Trainees may undertake up to 12 months Basic Training outside Australia, New Zealand and Affiliated Training Regions.  Prospective approval must be obtained from the Assessor.  The training experience must be acceptable to the College, including contributing experience towards Curriculum Modules and providing appropriate supervision and In-Training Assessment.

15.6.3.1   Trainees granted less than 12 months retrospective recognition of Basic Training in a foreign training program that predates commencement of Approved Training, may undertake such additional training above, provided that the total time spent in Basic Training outside Australia, New Zealand and Affiliated Training Regions shall not exceed 12 months.
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15.7   Advanced Training

Advanced Training comprises ATY1, ATY2 and ATY3, each of 12 months duration.

15.7.1   The requirements for Advanced Training are:

15.7.1.1   Completion of ATY1, ATY2 and ATY3.  Advanced Trainees must submit the relevant Approved Vocational Training Form within three months of completing each training year.  A Trainee who fails, without reasonable excuse, to submit the form on time, is disqualified from Approved Training from the date that the form was due to the date the form was received by the College.
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15.7.1.2   Completion of Curriculum Modules as specified.  Trainees must submit a completed Module Completion Form for Modules completed in the training year with the Approved Vocational Training Form for that year.
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15.7.1.3   A pass in the Final Examination.

15.7.2   Advanced Trainees may undertake ATY3 training in Approved Training Sites recognised for training by the Joint Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine or the Faculty of Pain Medicine, provided that the requirements of Clinical Training are met.

15.7.3   Advanced Trainees who have completed three years of Training Time shall remain in ATY3 until all the requirements of Advanced Training are met.

15.7.4   Advanced Trainees may undertake up to 12 months Advanced Training outside Australia, New Zealand and Affiliated Training Regions.  Prospective approval must be obtained from the Assessor.  The training experience must be acceptable to the College, including contributing experience towards applicable Curriculum Modules and providing appropriate supervision and In-Training Assessment.

15.7.4.1   Trainees granted retrospective recognition of training in a foreign training program that predates commencement of Approved Training, may undertake such additional training above, provided that the total time spent in Advanced Training outside Australia, New Zealand and Affiliated Training Regions shall not exceed 12 months.

15.7.5   Advanced Trainees in ATY3 who have successfully completed the Final Examination and Modules 1 to 10 may undertake an optional individualized period of training as a Provisional Fellow, after prospective approval by the Assessor.  The requirements are set out in Professional Document TE13 Guidelines for the Provisional Fellowship Program.

15.8   Normal Leave

A total of 16 weeks leave for all purposes (e.g. annual leave, sick leave, study leave, examination leave, parental leave) may be taken during the minimum 24 months of Basic Training, and thereafter up to eight weeks leave for all purposes may be taken for each additional 12 months of training.  A total of 24 weeks leave for all purposes may be taken during the minimum 36 months of Advanced Training, and thereafter up to eight weeks leave for all purposes may be taken for each additional 12 months of training.

15.9   Part-time Training

 Part-time training must be prospectively approved by the Assessor and will be considered on an individual basis. This training:

15.9.1   Requires submission of documents that provide details on the training arrangements and confirm compliance with requirements stated under this section.  The application must be endorsed and approved by the Trainee’s Head of Department or Supervisor of Training.

15.9.2   Requires registration with the College and payment of the full Annual Training Fee or Deferred Training Fee (see Regulation 15.4).  

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15.9.3   May be undertaken in any year of training.

15.9.4   Must result in the same Training Time and Clinical Training experience as that required for full-time Trainees.

15.9.5   Requires a commitment to both in-hours and out-of-hours duties.  These duties must be assigned on a pro rata basis and must comprise a minimum of 50% of the commitment of a full-time trainee.

15.9.6   Must involve participation in regional and/or hospital teaching programs.

15.9.7   Requires Trainees to maintain appropriate records in their Learning Portfolios for submission to the Assessor when requested, so that their workload and Training Time can be evaluated.

15.10   Interrupted Training

Approved Training must include at least two continuous years of Training Time, interrupted only by Normal Leave.  Any period of leave longer than Normal Leave is considered interrupted training.

15.10.1   Extended parental leave or sick leave must be notified to the College and advice obtained as to the effect on Training Time.

15.10.2   If training is interrupted for more than one year, subsequent training must include at least one continuous year of supervised training.

15.10.3   Interrupted Training requires payment of the Deferred Training Fee (see Regulation 15.4.3).

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15.11   Retrospective Recognition of Training

Council may grant Training Time exemptions for previously undertaken training that is considered to be equivalent to components of the FANZCA Program.

15.11.1   A Trainee who has completed partial training in a foreign training program that predates commencement of Approved Training, and who is not deemed an Overseas Trained Specialist, may have up to 24 months of this training credited towards Basic Training, provided that:

15.11.1.1   The previous training experience is comparable to that in Basic Training and the foreign training program is acceptable to Council.

15.11.1.2   The Trainee provides verified documented evidence of previous training.

15.11.1.3   The Trainee must complete all Modules except Module 1. Retrospective recognition may be granted for Module 3 and any of Modules 4 to 10, if approved by the Trainee’s Supervisor of Training or relevant Module Supervisor, based on documented evidence.  The documentation must validate that the Trainee has completed experience, which meets the requirements of the Module.
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15.11.1.4   The Trainee must complete the Primary Examination, except if he/she holds a postgraduate qualification in anaesthesia by examination that is accepted by Council.

15.11.1.5   The Trainee must complete all other requirements of Basic Training.

15.11.1.6   The Trainee must complete all other requirements of the FANZCA Program including Advanced Training.

15.11.2   A Trainee who works in an Affiliated Training Region and who holds a postgraduate qualification in anaesthesia by examination that is accepted by Council for exemption from the Primary Examination, may be exempted from completing Basic Training and Modules 1 to 3, and:

15.11.2.1   The Trainee may be granted retrospective recognition of up to 48 months of Training Time, provided that the time was undertaken in supervised training in Approved Training Sites and complies with the requirements for Clinical Training.

15.11.2.2   The Trainee must complete Modules 4 to 12, but any of these Modules may be retrospectively recognised, if approved by the Trainee’s Supervisor of Training or relevant Module Supervisor based on documented evidence.  The documentation must validate that the Trainee has completed experience, which meets the requirements of the Module.

15.11.2.3   The Trainee must complete all other requirements of the FANZCA Program including Advanced Training.

15.11.3   A Trainee who has occupied a Senior House Officer appointment in anaesthesia in the United Kingdom after 1 April 1996 and up until 31 July 2007 may have that time recognised for up to 12 months of Basic Training provided that:

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15.11.3.1   The appointment was in a hospital which was accredited for training by the Royal College of Anaesthetists.

15.11.3.2   The appointment was occupied for at least three months.

15.11.3.3   The Trainee must complete the Primary Examination and all other requirements of Basic Training.

15.11.3.4   The Trainee must complete all other requirements of the FANZCA Program including Advanced Training.

15.11.4   A Trainee who has previously undertaken full-time research or training in an anaesthesia-related discipline conducted by another College, may have this experience recognised under 15.5.2.3.  The previous training may include some Clinical Anaesthesia, which if undertaken in an Approved Hospital Department after 2003, may be credited under 15.5.2.1.  The following conditions apply:

15.11.4.1   The Trainee must submit an application within 12 months of commencing Approved Training.

15.11.4.2   The Trainee must submit documented evidence to validate the past training experience.

15.11.4.3   The past training experience was undertaken after 24 months PMET and the requirements of PMET are met.

15.11.4.4   The past training experience, if less than 12 months, may be credited towards BTY1.

15.11.4.5   The past training experience, if more than 12 months, may be credited as 12 months Basic Training and up to 12 months ATY1. This recognition of ATY1 Training Time is prospective, to take effect after the Trainee has completed all the requirements of Basic Training.

15.11.4.6   The Trainee must complete the Primary Examination and all other requirements of Basic Training.

15.11.4.7   The Trainee must complete all other requirements of the FANZCA Program including Advanced Training.

15.11.4.8   The Trainee must satisfy all the requirements of Clinical Training.

15.11.4.9   Except for retrospective recognition of training experience, all conditions in 15.5.2.3 apply.

15.11.5   A Trainee with FJFICM may be granted retrospective approval of supervised training in Clinical Anaesthesia in Approved Training Sites during training for FJFICM.  The Trainee may also be granted retrospective recognition for up to 27 months Training Time in Intensive Care Medicine and other anaesthesia-related disciplines.

15.12   Approved Hospital Departments and Approved Training Sites

Each Approved Hospital Department must be accredited by the College to provide Approved Training in anaesthesia.  Such approval requires an accreditation review that has been accepted by Council.  An Approved Training Site may have more than one Approved Hospital Department and may include other health service organisations and facilities that provide training experience.  The health organisation or facility might not have been formally reviewed for accreditation, but is recognised by the College for training experience.

15.12.1   An Approved Hospital Department or Training Site must provide appropriate Clinical Training experience in-hours and out-of-hours and ensure supervision at all times in accordance with the requirements of Professional Document TE3 Policy on Supervision of Clinical Experience for Trainees in Anaesthesia.

15.12.2   An Approved Hospital Department or Training Site must appoint Trainees to appointments for a continuous period of at least three months, except for training experience in Intensive Care Medicine.

15.12.3   An Approved Hospital Department may be recognised as suitable only for Advanced Training or only for the Provisional Fellowship program.

15.12.4   An Approved Hospital Department is accredited for training in Clinical Anaesthesia for six months, one year, two years, or three years.

15.12.5   An Approved Hospital Department must be incorporated within at least one approved Regional Training Program.

15.12.6   Trainees must notify the College when they take up an appointment in an Approved Hospital Department within three months of commencing the appointment.

15.12.7   Trainees may spend a maximum Training Time of four years at any one Approved Training Site.

15.13   Interpretation and Non-Binding Decisions

15.13.1   Any decision, approval, consent, or the exercise of any discretion, by the Council or other committee or authority under Regulation 15 will be considered on a case-by-case basis, having regard to the particular circumstances of each case.

15.13.2   Notwithstanding Regulation 15, Council may exercise or dispense other decisions after consideration of relevant circumstances.

15.13.3   Any such decision, approval, consent or exercise of discretion will not be binding on any other or future decisions or set any precedent for other or future decisions regarding Regulation 15.

15.14   Communications

All enquiries, applications, and communications regarding Regulation 15 must be made in writing and addressed to the Chief Executive Officer, Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists, 630 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia.