The dual training pathway offers a mechanism for combining training towards FANZCA and FCICM in less time than it currently takes to complete both training programs sequentially.
A dual pathway graduate will be both a FANZCA and a FCICM. This qualification is particularly advantageous in rural and regional centers across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand given the same individual could work in both specialist scopes of practice.
A dual training pathway takes advantage of the skills shared between anaesthesia and intensive care medicine whilst ensuring that the dually qualified specialist has achieved equivalent learning outcomes to graduates of each individual training pathway.
This pathway will be available to trainees who have been accepted into both the ANZCA and CICM training programs. Each college will maintain its existing selection processes.
The pathway can be undertaken in a variety of ways, and we recommend trainees wishing to undertake the dual training pathway to consult with an ANZCA director of professional affairs (DPA) and CICM Training Team.
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) has been signed between ANZCA and CICM which establishes the collaboration for joint recognition of a dual training pathway with the aim to actively cultivate and maintain the highest principles and standards in the training, practice and ethics of anaesthesia and intensive care medicine. The MOU also defines the project governance and terms of reference for the Conjoint Committee which oversees the development of the dual training pathway.
The Conjoint Committee, established in 2022, oversees formation of the dual training pathway and relevant working groups. Professor Peter Morley AM, a dual fellow, is chair of the ANZCA CICM Dual Training Pathway Conjoint Committee which has nine members consisting of representatives from ANZCA (3) and CICM (3), dual fellowship holders (2), a community representative (1) and a current ANZCA CICM dual trainee in attendance.
Two working groups have been formed to progress comparison of the anaesthesia and intensive care areas and to report to the Conjoint Committee.
1. The Curriculum Integration Working Group (CIWG) was formed to undertake the ANZCA and CICM curriculum comparison work. The scope of this group’s work included all training components, except for the examinations. The CIWG developed a report which provided findings and recommendations for cross-recognition of training requirements to achieve community-focused outcomes. The CIWG provided its recommendations to the Conjoint Committee, ANZCA Council and CICM Board in late 2023.
2. The ANZCA and CICM Primary Examination Comparison Working Group (PEC-WG) was established to assess commonalities and differences between the ANZCA primary and CICM first part examinations. Recommendations from this working group were endorsed by the Conjoint Committee and approved by ANZCA Council and CICM Board in June 2024.
The pathway has been designed to offer completion in less time than ANZCA and CICM training programs being undertaken separately. A guidance document (in a DRAFT format) to support trainees, supervisors and other key stakeholders navigating the dual training pathway has been drafted. It presents the most efficient pathway to achieving admission to fellowship for both training programs.
The new pathway duration will be dependent upon individual trainees’ circumstances and chosen pathway. Seven and a half years is the minimum time to complete the dual training pathway.
Yes. A recognition of prior learning process is being developed. Specific requirements for granting RPL will be made available in the dual training pathway guidance document.
Once eligibilities for RPL towards DTP training requirements have been determined, dual trainees may apply to Directors of Professional Affairs (DPAs) of each college for assessment and award of training credits.
The date when ANZCA and CICM will open the applications for RPL is still being worked on.
ANZCA has established guidelines for reviewing and assessing RPL for trainees undertaking dual training pathway. The relevant regulations can be found in ANZCA Regulation 37 - 37.7.2 Recognition of prior learning in an anaesthesia-related specialty.
CICM will publish its RPL guidelines for dual trainees soon.
Dual trainees are required to complete the following examinations throughout dual training:
| Training period | Examination |
| ANZCA Basic Training / CICM Phase 1 | ANZCA Primary Exam plus CICM Gap Assessment OR CICM First Part Exam plus ANZCA Gap Assessment |
| CICM Phase 2 | CICM Second Part Examination |
| ANZCA Advanced Training | ANZCA Fellowship Examination |
If a trainee has commenced vocational training with one college prior to being admitted to Fellowship of the other college, they are eligible to take the exam gap assessment.
A trainee who is already a Fellow of either college is not eligible to just sit the exam gap assessment as an alternative to the Primary / Basic Sciences Examination.
Trainees undertaking the ANZCA CICM Dual Training Pathway will not be required to sit both the ANZCA Primary and the CICM First Part examinations.
Dual trainees will be required to successfully complete one core examination, either the ANZCA Primary OR the CICM First Part Exam, plus a gap assessment. The gap assessment addresses syllabus not covered by the selected core exam, i.e. trainees undertaking the CICM First Part exam are required to complete the ANZCA Gap Assessment, and vice versa.
A DTP trainee will only be eligible to sit either, not both, the ANZCA Primary or CICM First Part exam. If the DTP trainee is unsuccessful with the selected exam and wishes to continue with DTP, they will be required to continue with the selected (first attempted) exam and be subject to the rules governing the examination process, including the maximum number of permitted attempts, as stipulated by the respective college.
This process is for Dual Trainees only. If a trainee decides to withdraw from dual training and continue with single specialty training – they must comply with the relevant college’s training requirements.
PLEASE NOTE: The regulations and timelines related to completion of the ANZCA Primary / CICM First Part exam and gap assessment are still being considered. FAQs and the DTP Guidance document will be updated as decisions are confirmed by ANZCA Council and CICM Board.
No, each college will maintain its current standards and program requirements to ensure alignment with the specialist graduate outcomes.
There are rules and regulations outlined in the guidance document that are specific to the dual training pathway.
It is anticipated that the dual training pathway will be available from 2026. Guidance and support for both trainees and their supervisors will be developed and made available in due course.
Trainees will need to be selected onto both training programs and seek advice from the ANZCA DPA and/or CICM Training Team to plan training activities/progression.
If you are interested in applying, please continue to check these FAQs for updated information or register with [email protected] and we will provide updates as they become available.
The cost of the dual training pathway is still being determined, and both the colleges are in the process of defining their fee structure.
The details about fees will be incorporated into the DTP Guidance document in coming months.
Scenario 1
Q: What are my chances of being selected onto the ANZCA and CICM training programs and becoming a dual trainee?
A: ANZCA and CICM will maintain autonomy in selecting trainees onto their respective training program.
A trainee will only be considered a dual trainee if they have been successfully selected onto both CICM and ANZCA vocational training programs and registered their dual training status with each college.
Scenario 2
Q: If I were to complete the CICM First Part Exam in 2025 successfully, then gain entry into ANZCA training in 2026, would I be eligible to apply for RPL of the CICM First Part Exam and subsequently complete the ANZCA supplementary gap assessment?
A: Having been selected onto both training programs, ANZCA will accept success at the CICM First Part Exam plus the Anaesthesia gap assessment as success at the ANZCA Primary Exam.
Scenario 3
Q: Is the dual training pathway applicable to intensive care training in both paediatric and general/ adults?
A: The paediatric intensive care training is not part of the Dual Training Pathway.
Scenario 4
Q: I am a current ANZCA trainee, and I have applied for the CICM training program. If my CICM application is unsuccessful, can I reapply at a later stage (e.g. after taking ANZCA Primary Exam) to qualify for Dual Training Pathway?
A: Both colleges will maintain autonomy in selecting trainees onto their respective training program. If a trainee is not selected into the CICM training program, they will have to sit the ANZCA Primary Exam to progress through ANZCA training. They can certainly apply to CICM after they have sat ANZCA Primary Exam.
Scenario 5
Q: If I attempt the CICM First Part Exam and passed before entering dual training, then join ANZCA training in 2026 and subsequently commence dual training, would I be required to continue with the CICM exam pathway only?
A: Once a trainee has been selected onto the ANCZA training program, their ICM experience will be eligible for RPL and the ANZCA DPA will be able to provide further guidance at that time.
Scenario 6
Q: I am a current Victorian CICM trainee nearing the end of my training and am interested in applying for dual training. Do I need to apply through the VATC training scheme, or do I need to contact individual departments and apply through them?
A: Selection process for ANZCA training varies from region to region. Selection in Victoria for intake at the beginning of a hospital employment year is through a centralised process, administered by the Victorian Anaesthesia Training Scheme (VATS) and trainees should apply to VATS. However, from time to time, individual department may recruit independent trainees when a vacancy becomes available due to rotational trainees taking extended leave. Therefore, you may wish to contact individual departments for availability in training positions outside the usual annual intake (February of each year).
Scenario 7
Q: What is the best way for me to apply for dual training (and apply to ANZCA) in my current position as a CICM Trainee at RPA in Sydney?
A: A trainee will need to follow the local (NSW) processes to be selected onto the ANZCA training program. They can certainly make enquiry with the ANZCA NSW office, and another resource would be the Anaesthesia SOT at RPA.