Local long case assessment
The external long case assessment will be retired at the conclusion of 2026. Any trainee seeking to progress to fellowship before the end of 2026 will still be required to successfully complete the external long case assessment under the current training program requirements.
Scheduled long case assessment sittings for the remainder of 2026 will remain open for trainees to register as planned. The capabilities currently assessed through the long case remain fundamental to specialist pain medicine practice and will continue to be assessed through the entrustable professional activity (EPA) framework.
Please note these changes to the long case assessments were approved by the FPM Board. Further information about transition arrangements and the introduction of entrustable professional activities (EPAs) will be available shortly.
Please note these changes to the long case assessments were approved by the FPM Board. You can read about it below. Further information about transition arrangements and the introduction of Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) will be available shortly.
External long case assessment
External long case assessments are usually held in major cities across Australia and in New Zealand twice a year, and once a year in Hong Kong and Adelaide. Trainees need to meet the eligibility criteria and submit their application by the relevant application closing date, which varies for each region in view of the scheduling of these assessments.
These assessments are limited to trainees who live in the region. In regions where the external long cases are not delivered, trainees are encouraged to contact the faculty prior to applying. Candidates sitting the external long case assessments are advised to complete a rapid antigen test (RAT), if experiencing flu-like symptoms on the day of the assessment.
Sitting one assessments have closed, please see sitting two information below:
| Regions | Venue | Assessment date | Application closing date | Application form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queensland (Sitting two) | Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital: The Tess Cramond Multidisciplinary Pain Centre | Saturday 12 September 2026 | Friday 31 July 2026 | Registration link |
| Victoria (Sitting two) | Precision Brain, Spine & Pain Centre | Saturday 12 September 2026 | Friday 31 July 2026 | |
| New Zealand (Sitting two) | TARPS (The Auckland Regional Pain Service) | Friday 18 September 2026 | Friday 7 August 2026 | |
| Western Australia (Sitting two) | Sir Charles Gairdner and Osborne Park Hospital | Monday 7 September 2026 | Monday 27 July 2026 | |
| New South Wales (sitting two) | Westmead Hospital Pain Management Centre | Saturday 19 September 2026 | Friday 7 August 2026 | Registration link |
South Australia (sitting one) | CALHN Pain Management Unit at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital | Thursday 10 September 2026 | Friday 31 July 2026 |
Eligibility criteria
Trainees may present for the external long case assessment if by the published closing date, they have:
- Completed at least one satisfactory ITA.
- Completed the physical examination assessment.
- Passed one local long case assessment.
- Applied on the approved form and paid the long case assessment fee.
If unsuccessful at the external long case assessment, a trainee must complete an additional local long case assessment prior to re-sitting the external long case.
Available 24/7, the ANZCA Doctors' Support Program is a professional counselling service that offers confidential support for a variety of work-related and personal problems that may be affecting you at work or at home. It's free for all ANZCA fellows, trainees, SIMGs and immediate family members.
Doctors' HelplineRelated content
The Foundations Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) Examination is a three hour, 150-question examination that is designed to be sat between three to nine after commencement of pain medicine training.
The FPM fellowship exam covers the theory and practice of pain medicine and comprises of two sections; the written examination and the oral examination. Candidates who are successful in the written examination are invited to the oral examination. Candidates must complete both sections of the fellowship examination in the same sitting to achieve a pass.
Important information for all candidates participating in FPM exams, including our conditions of application and entry.
As part of our ongoing support for our fellows, trainees, and SIMGs, ANZCA has engaged the professional services of Converge International – a confidential and independent counselling and coaching program.