Launched in 2023, the Rural Generalist Anaesthesia Training Program is a joint initiative of ANZCA, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) to deliver the education, training, and assessment of rural general practitioners and rural generalists providing anaesthesia services in rural locations.
ANZCA does not appoint trainees to accredited Rural Generalist Anaesthesia (RGA) training positions. If you're interested in undertaking the RGA program, please contact your primary college (ACRRM or RACGP) for advice on available training positions and application processes.
Training program structure and content
The following documents outline the course content and structure of the training program.
Joining the RGA training program
To register for rural generalist anaesthesia training, applicants must:
- Be registered trainees with RACGP and/or ACRRM and have completed at least one year of their primary fellowship training OR have fellowship with RACGP or ACRRM; and
- Have obtained a position approved for rural generalist anaesthesia training; and
- Have a current Advanced Life Support 2 (ALS-2) certification.
If you are a current trainee of ACRRM and /or RACGP, your primary college will send your registration information and documentation directly to ANZCA. You will receive confirmation once you are successfully registered in the RGA training program.
If you are a FACRRM and / or FRACGP, please click here to register for training.
Recognition of prior learning and experience (RPLE)
Recognition of prior learning and experience (RPLE) is a process to acknowledge previously completed anaesthesia training that is comparable and relevant to RGA training and the required competencies. This may then be used to gain credit towards the requirements of RGA training.
To be eligible for RPLE, you must:
- Be a fellow or trainee of RACGP or ACRRM and registered for RGA training
- Have completed training in a recognised anaesthesia training department and been part of a recognised anaesthesia training program
- Have performed at anaesthesia registrar/principal house officer or above level
- Be comparable with RGA training and the competency outcomes
For anaesthesia training more than three years old, applications must be supported by evidence including recent logbooks, upskilling courses/experience, and continuing professional development (CPD).
If you meet the above criteria, please proceed with your application for RPLE.
Explore this section
Training time towards the Rural Generalist Anaesthesia training must be completed at an accredited site.
Training time towards the Rural Generalist Anaesthesia training must be completed at an accredited site.
Rural Generalist Anaesthesia trainees must successfully complete the multiple choice question examination (MCQs) and the RGA Standardised Structured Scenario-based Assessment (RGA-SSSA) during training.
The grandparenting process is aimed at the current practicing rural GP anaesthesia workforce. Its purpose is to allow this workforce to easily transition to the new qualification.
In May 2023, the TC-RGA agreed that Rural Generalist Anaesthetists (RGAs) would be recommended to undertake the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program-level requirements identified in the ANZCA and FPM CPD standard.
Frequently asked questions about the Rural Generalist Anaesthesia training program.