In response to trainee feedback, we're introducing a range of new initiatives in 2027 to support greater flexibility for trainees around fee payments and part-time training.
We appreciate that specialist training is a significant professional, personal and financial commitment. To provide greater flexibility and support for trainees, ANZCA and FPM are:
- Piloting an instalment payment option for the annual training fee (ATF) in 2027. This initiative responds directly to trainee feedback and aims to reduce the financial pressure associated with a single upfront annual payment. Unfortunately, payment by instalments will not be available for trainees who pay any portion of a registration maintenance fee (RMF) in 2027.
- Trainees training for at least 26 continuous weeks in part time will be offered a pro-rata ATF on that period of part-time training. Previously trainees had to train for 52 continuous weeks to be eligible to receive a pro-rata ATF.
- Anaesthesia trainees in New Zealand will have their ATF paid directly by Health NZ unless they choose to opt out.
The instalment option will allow eligible anaesthesia and pain medicine trainees to spread the cost of their ATF across the year while maintaining access to training and assessment activities and resources. The pilot has been designed to balance greater payment flexibility with the requirements of the training programs, including fee compliance requirements for examination participation.
By offering more flexible payment arrangements, we want to enhance the trainee experience, support wellbeing, and make it easier for trainees to manage the financial commitments associated with specialist training.
For more information on paying your annual training program fees, including when your payments are due; whether or not you're eligible to pay your fees in instalments; and what support is available to trainees experiencing financial hardship, please visit our new Training fee payment options page.
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