ANZCA Council meeting update - April 2025

This is a report of the ANZCA Council meeting held in Melbourne from 11-12 April 2025. Information about ANZCA Council and its committees can be found here.

Council welcomed Victorian Regional Committee Chair Dr Dean Dimovski who provided an update on the status of Victorian workforce.

ANZCA Trainee Committee Co-chair Dr Sukhi Hegde and newly appointed Co-chair Dr Nicole Wong provided an update of the work of that committee and trainee issues. The New Zealand National Committee Chair, Dr Graham Roper reported on challenges in the New Zealand health system.

Corporate services and governance

Financial report 

Councillors noted the ANZCA financial reports to 31 December 2024 and authorised the president and vice-president to sign off the financial statements and other relevant documents.

Councillors noted the audit findings and recommendations by Binder Dijker Otte (BDO) along with management representation letters for Australia and New Zealand.

Election of vice-president-elect

Following a secret ballot, the President, Professor Dave Story, declared Dr Tanya Selak as vice-president-elect.

Staff delegations manual

Councillors approved amendments to the Staff Delegations Manual following review and recommendation by the Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee.

Development of the 2026-2028 strategic plan

Councillors noted 2026-2028 strategic plan development is progressing through structured phases. A strategic discussion is planned during the 2025 ASM followed by a workshop in July in conjunction with the FPM Board then wider consultation. It is expected the 2026-2028 draft strategic plan will be presented at the September Council meeting with implementation planning to begin in the new year.

Professional documents

PG47 Perioperative diagnostic POCUS 

Council approved the new ANZCA professional document PG47 Perioperative diagnostic POCUS and accompanying background paper (PG47BP) as the final version for promulgation on the ANZCA website.

CP25 External guideline endorsement

Council approve ANZCA professional document CP25 External guideline endorsement and its accompanying background paper (CP25BP) for a 16-week pilot period.

Regulations 

Council approved amendments to Regulations 23 – SIMG pathways and Regulation 45 – Clinical based assessments.

Education and research

Dual training pathway 

Council approved the preferred option for the gap assessment option: A multiple-choice question gap assessment attempted after successful completion of the other Specialist College Primary Examination, conducted under examination conditions (i.e. timed, closed book and invigilated) in the workplace, and invigilated by a Fellow of the relevant specialist college.

Trainee selection implementation strategy

Council considered and approved a preferred strategy for each of the five recommendations to address conditions applied by the Australian Medical Council and Medical Council of New Zealand for re-accreditation.

Professor Dave Story

ANZCA President