In 1952, 40 people from around Australia and New Zealand were invited to fellowship with the newly formed faculty.
Since then, we've:
- Trained thousands of specialist anaesthetists to an internationally-recognised standard.
- Established ourselves as a global leader in anaesthesia education and training.
- Provided clinical standards of practice that make Australia and New Zealand two of the safest countries in the world to have an anaesthetic.
In 1998, we established the Faculty of Pain Medicine; the first of its kind in the world. Since then:
- Hundreds of specialist doctors in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and Singapore have completed this pioneering post-specialty training program to become specialist pain medicine physicians.
- The faculty continues to set the international standard for its specialty.
- Australians and New Zealanders have access to some of the world's most advanced pain medicine treatment.
Explore our history and heritage
The Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History was founded in 1935. It showcases over 170 years of advances in anaesthesia and pain medicine, and is the largest and most diverse collection of its kind in the world.
Our oral history project captures the memories of people, places and events as told by important individuals within the specialties of anaesthesia and pain medicine.
We were awarded letters patent for a coat of arms and crest in 1992. Letters patents are a published written order issued by a monarch granting an office, right, title or status to a person or corporation.
Our archives document the history and administration of the college, and its predecessor, as well as records of the Faculty of Pain Medicine. The archives are a rich source of primary material about the history of the organisation, and many individuals within it.
Ulimaroa is a heritage listed, 19th Century Italianate mansion, now incorporated into our Melbourne headquarters on St Kilda Road in Melbourne. It was purchased in September 1993, when the college was established.
Anaesthesia is one of the greatest discoveries of modern medicine. In fact, many of today’s operations, especially for the very young, very old, or very ill would not be possible without it.
The History and Heritage Advisory Panel reports to the CEO and sits within the ANZCA committee framework and structure. It works on matters relating to the history and heritage of the college, and the specialties of anaesthesia and pain medicine.
This annual grant program provides up to $A5000 for research and interpretation of the history of anaesthesia, pain, and perioperative medicine.