Anaesthesia training program

Before doctors can apply for the ANZCA anaesthesia training program, they must have completed two years of general hospital experience after graduation from medical school. 

This can include up to 12 months in anaesthesia or intensive care but the aim is to ensure a grounding in general medicine and in disciplines other than anaesthesia.

Our trainees complete at least five years of training and are supervised by a network of qualified anaesthetists at accredited hospitals throughout Australia and New Zealand. The program is accredited by the Australian Medical Council (AMC) and the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ). ​

As of 21 February 2024, 1913 qualified medical practitioners are participating in our anaesthesia training program across Australia (1589) and New Zealand (324). For further information about the ANZCA anaesthesia training program, please see the 2023 Anaesthesia Training Program Dashboard Data Report.

Considering a career in anaesthesia?

Anaesthesia is one of the most rewarding and fascinating fields of medicine you can specialise in as a medical graduate.

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Training as an anaesthetist

Your guide to training as a specialist anaesthetist in Australia or New Zealand, including the criteria, application process and cost.

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Changes to introductory training in 2025 FAQs

Changes to program requirements are being introduced to the ANZCA training program in 2025 and will apply to trainees who begin introductory training after 1 January 2025.

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Patient Clinical Interaction Assessment FAQs

The Patient Clinical Interaction Assessment (PCIA) is being introduced in 2025 to address the gap left when the patient clinical interaction was removed from the medical viva (in 2020).

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Anaesthesia trainee toolkit

Access all the resources, documents, and forms you need to meet your training requirements at the click of a button.

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Anaesthesia exams

In order to qualify as a specialist anaesthetist and become eligible for ANZCA fellowship, trainees need to successfully complete two exams. Each exam consists of a written and viva (oral and medical clinical) components. Some specialist international medical graduates will need to sit the final...

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Anaesthesia training sites and rotations

Information on ANZCA-accredited anaesthesia training sites, rotations, supervisors, education officers; how to become a training site accreditation visitor; and how to apply for ANZCA training site accreditation.

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Progressing to provisional fellowship

In order to progress to provisional fellowship training, you will need to complete the requirements of advanced training and secure a suitable provisional fellowship position.

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Admission to ANZCA fellowship

Once you've met your training requirements, you're eligible to apply for admission to fellowship. Here's everything you need to know about the process, as well as information on registering as a specialist.

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Supervisors of training support hub

This hub has been designed for educators participating in the ANZCA, FPM and DHM training programs to identify suitable support resources.

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Anaesthesia supervisors of training toolkit

We've collated a range of online resources to support our supervisors of training (SOTs) with the training, assessment, and pastoral care of trainees.

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Introduction to anaesthesia training

We strongly encourage all new trainees to attend this free, one-day orientation training. It covers everything you need to know about training to be a specialist anaesthetist, and it's a great opportunity to meet other registrars in your local training cohort.

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Primary exam preparation courses (formerly Part 1)

We offer a range of activities around Australia and New Zealand specially designed to help trainees prepare for the written and oral components of the ANZCA primary exams. Find out what's available in your area.

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Final exam preparation courses (formerly Part 2)

We strongly encourage all trainees preparing for the ANZCA final exam to take advantage of the refresher courses and mock vivas we run in major centres around Australia and New Zealand.

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FAQs about the anaesthesia training program

This page provides help with the most common questions about our anaesthesia training program.

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Advertised training positions

Looking for a training position? We advertise anaesthesia and pain medicine roles at all levels and across Australia and New Zealand.

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ANZCA national and regional trainee committees

Our national and regional trainee committees act as a voice for trainees on issues relating to education and training in their jurisdictions.

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Training & Exams Resource Hub

This hub has been designed for trainees and educators participating in the ANZCA, FPM, RGA and DHM training programs to identify suitable training and education resources, and includes program-specific guides and online access to the Primary Exam reading list and ETA reference readings.

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Anaesthesia training resources library guide

This guide has been designed to support trainees participating in the ANZCA Anaesthesia Training Program, and contains resources intended to help support the overall training experience - it addresses the entire curriculum and provides comprehensive assessment support.

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Upcoming events and courses

19 November 2025 - 22 November 2025 | ICC Sydney

Join us in Sydney for the 2025 Tri-Society Cardiac & Thoracic Symposium (3SCTS) in collaboration...

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2 May 2025 - 6 May 2025 | Cairns

Come join us in Cairns for learning, networking and socialising at the 2025 ANZCA ASM and FPM...

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13 June 2025 - 15 June 2025 | Cable Beach Resort, Broome

2025 WA ACE Country Conference held at the Cable Beach Resort in Broome.

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2 December 2024 - 6 December 2024 | Sydney

This full-time, five day intensive course covers many of the core curriculum topics that could be...

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24 February 2025 - 28 February 2025 | ANZCA QLD regional office

This full-time, five day intensive course covers many of the core curriculum topics that could be...

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8 February 2025 | ANZCA QLD regional office

This free one day course is aimed at new trainees about to commence anaesthetic training.

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22 February 2025 - 14 June 2025 | ANZCA QLD regional office

Interactive long course held over five Saturdays covering core topics of the primary examination.

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12 July 2025 - 8 November 2025 | ANZCA QLD regional office

Interactive long course held over five Saturdays covering important topics of the primary...

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30 June 2025 - 4 July 2025 | North Adelaide

This full-time, five day intensive course covers many of the core curriculum topics that could be...

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5 February 2025 - 12 November 2025 | North Adelaide

For SA/NT trainees preparing for the primary exam.

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7 February 2025 - 28 November 2025 | Online (Zoom)

For SA/NT trainees preparing for the final exam.

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17 February 2025 | ANZCA House & via Zoom

A comprehensive one-day course covering the anatomy knowledge required to pass the ANZCA final...

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30 June 2025 | ANZCA House & via Zoom

A comprehensive one-day course covering the anatomy knowledge required to pass the ANZCA final...

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10 February 2025 - 14 February 2025 | ANZCA House & via Zoom

This full-time, week-long intensive course covers many of the core curriculum topics that could...

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23 June 2025 - 27 June 2025 | ANZCA House & via Zoom

This full-time, week-long intensive course covers many of the core curriculum topics that could...

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19 May 2025 - 30 May 2025 | ANZCA House & via Zoom

This full-time, ten day long intensive course covers many of the core curriculum topics that...

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1 January 2024 - 31 December 2024 | Various Perth locations

This course for WA-based advanced trainees covers many of the core curriculum topics that could...

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1 January 2024 - 31 December 2024 | Various Perth locations

This five day intensive course covers many of the core curriculum topics that could be included...

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Last updated 16:55 21.11.2024