Anaesthetists are among the most highly regarded and intensively trained specialist doctors on the planet. In Australia and New Zealand, we study for a minimum of 12 years to gain the advanced physiological and pharmacological knowledge we need to keep patients pain free, immobile, and in a carefully controlled state of unconsciousness during complex surgery.
But clinical expertise is only part of being a good anaesthetist. Compassion, confidence, cultural competency, and clarity of mind are also integral to anaesthesia practice. Many of our fellows are engaged in voluntary work in low- and middle middle-income countries; Indigenous health programs; rural and remote communities; and even conflict zones.
We've spoken to anaesthetists around Australia and New Zealand about why they love where they work.
Did you know that over the next 12 months, more than four million Aussies and Kiwis will have a surgical procedure involving anaesthesia? In fact, almost all of us will need the care of an anaesthetist at some stage in our lives.
ANZCA is the only organisation accredited by the AMC and the MCNZ to provide training, assessment, and the continuing professional development of anaesthetists Australia and New Zealand. Our anaesthesia training program is one of the most rigorous and highly regarded in the world, and takes a minimum of five years to complete.
Delivered entirely through supervised clinical placements in ANZCA-accredited training sites, it provides comprehensive training for all clinical environments and contexts, including foundation knowledge and skills for sub-specialised areas of practice.
Did you know that ANZCA is the only organisation accredited by the AMC and MCNZ to provide specialist anaesthesia training?
Anaesthesia is one of the most important innovations in modern medicine. Many of the operations we take for granted today – especially on the very young; very old; or very ill – would be impossible without it. It’s a diverse and dynamic discipline, offering a wide range of research and sub-specialist study opportunities.
Anaesthesia is central to the perioperative care of surgical patients, and plays a major role in:
- Resuscitation
- Intensive care
- Pain management
- Retrieval
- Disaster response
- Hyperbaric medicine
Anaesthesia is also one of the most progressive medical specialties in terms of diversity and inclusion. It has a long history of leading change; welcoming women to train as specialist doctors decades ahead of many other specialties.
Did you know that Adelaidean Dr Mary Burnell became the first woman in the world to head a specialist medical faculty when she was elected as dean of the Faculty of Anaesthetists (ANZCA's predecessor) in 1996?
We’re proud of our profession’s place in history as a progressive, innovative, and inclusive specialty, and we work hard to honour and build on that legacy. We believe that all forms of discrimination are unacceptable, and can negatively affect the health and wellbeing of our trainees, fellows, staff, and the wider community.
Healthy doctors ensure a sustainable workforce that provides best patient care. Find out what we're doing to support our doctors' health and wellbeing, and the services and resources available to our fellows, trainees, specialist international medical graduates and immediate family members.
Did you know that, of the seven ANZCA Presidents to serve between 2008 and 2020, five were women?
Being an anaesthetist is one of the most challenging career paths you can chose as a specialist-in-training. You’ll need to study for a minimum of five years; successfully complete two exams and commit to undertaking continuing professional development in your final (provisional fellowship) year. You’ll need to be able to work under intense pressure and as part of a seamless team; think on your feet; and make split-second decisions. But if you have what it takes, the rewards are considerable.
Anaesthetists are some of the most highly regarded – and remunerated – specialist doctors in Australia and New Zealand, and have access to excellent sub-specialist career opportunities, including our groundbreaking pain medicine training program; diploma in diving and hyperbaric medicine; and, from 2023, a formal perioperative medicine qualification.
Did you know that the ANZCA Clinical Trials Network is one of the largest and most successful of its kind in the world? As of 2022, it involves more than 130 sites internationally and has received more than A$42 million in competitive research grants.
Explore the ANZCA Anaesthesia Training Program
Your guide to training as a specialist anaesthetist in Australia or New Zealand, including the criteria, application process and cost.
Access all the resources, documents, and forms you need to meet your training requirements at the click of a button.
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.
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.
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.
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.
These describe the roles of a specialist anaesthetist and specialist pain medicine physician and how they apply to contemporary practice – includes scholar role and communicator role.
We've collated a range of online resources to support our supervisors of training (SOTs) with the training, assessment, and pastoral care of trainees.
This page provides help with the most common questions about our anaesthesia training program.