Overview of the fast-track registration pathway
From 1 November 2024, SIMGs with an approved postgraduate medical qualification, intending to practise in Aotearoa New Zealand in an approved area of medicine, were able to apply for specialist registration via a new fast-track registration pathway.
For further information on the pathway please refer to the MCNZ website.
Please note that the fast-track registration pathway does not lead to an ANZCA fellowship (i.e. FANZCA). If an SIMG is interested in pursuing fellowship, ANZCA has developed a pathway to ANZCA fellowship to be undertaken by this cohort, to run concurrently with the fast-track registration pathway, and if successful will lead to ANZCA fellowship.
Eligible SIMGs from the UK, Ireland and Australia holding approved postgraduate qualifications, can apply for specialist registration and their applications will be processed within 20 working days. A complete list of approved postgraduate medical qualifications can be found here.
You can apply for the fast-track registration if you:
- Hold an acceptable primary medical degree;
- Have an approved overseas postgraduate medical qualification;
- Intend to practise in Aotearoa New Zealand in an approved area of medicine;
- Have a minimum of 24 months’ (working at 0.5 FTE or more) clinical experience in the past 5 years practising in that area of medicine, including 12 months within the last 18 months immediately prior to application, in a country recognised by Council as having a health system comparable to Aotearoa New Zealand; and
- Have a job offer in Aotearoa New Zealand.
While the fast-track registration allows SIMGs from UK, Ireland and Australia to bypass the college and be granted specialist registration to work in Aotearoa New Zealand potentially faster, it does not provide the meaningful and ongoing support and recognition as the college fellowship program uniquely offers. Specialists who do not undertake the pathway to ANZCA fellowship may have impacts on supervision and training roles they may wish to undertake. You will also miss out on exclusive member benefits.
The college recommends that potential specialists that meet relevant criteria undertake the pathway to ANZCA fellowship offered by the college as a comprehensive preparation to working in Aotearoa New Zealand and community of practice support, plus resulting in a FANZCA designation. If specialists undertake the alternative fast-track registration process, the college strongly suggests undertaking the pathway to ANZCA fellowship in parallel to gain relevant benefits.
The pathway to ANZCA fellowship offers you the opportunity to join the college continuing professional development (CPD) home, access to personalised support, professional network and development opportunities.
The college has recently developed a video in relation to the benefits of ANZCA fellowship – to view this video please click here.
Our existing SIMGs have greatly valued the support and information provided as part of ANZCA fellowship, to successfully transition to Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand’s health and cultural environment. Some of these testaments are captured here.
For further information on the benefits of ANZCA fellowship, please refer here.
The pathway to ANZCA fellowship is designed to run in parallel with the expedited pathway to maximise timelines and ensure alignment with MBA expectations for a streamlined ‘expedited’ process. Therefore, the requirements being introduced to obtain ANZCA fellowship include:
- Undertake six months full-time equivalent clinical practice assessment (inclusive of the supervised practice required for the MBA expedited specialist pathway), AND
- Evidence of completion of an Effective Management of Anaesthetic Crises (EMAC), AND
- Successfully complete the SIMG performance assessment (PA) , AND
- Participate in the ANZCA/FPM continuing professional development (CPD) program, AND
- Completion of all MBA expedited specialist pathway requirements and satisfactorily completed all requirements specified by the college
Detailed requirements will be published on our website in due course.
Explore this section
Our SIMG assessment process evaluates the ability of a specialist to practise as an unsupervised specialist anaesthetist and/or pain medicine specialist at a standard comparable to that required of a fellow of ANZCA (FANZCA) or fellow of the Faculty of Pain Medicine (FFPMANZCA).
The Medical Board of Australia (MBA) expedited specialist pathway is for SIMGs seeking specialist registration in Australia.
Applicants who wish to enter a short-term training (STT) position in specialist anaesthesia or pain medicine in Australia must be assessed for the purpose of medical registration. This pathway does not lead to fellowship.
The SPR is prepared for all applicants in Australia and summarises the initial assessment of an SIMG’s suitability to enter the SIMG process.
The clinical practice assessment (CPA) period is the period of supervised clinical practice an SIMG must complete during their individual program.
The SIMG PA is a one-day assessment conducted by two fellows and at times an observer in the SIMG’s actual working environment.
As an SIMG supervisor, you play a vital role in the training, assessment, and welfare of your SIMG and should have a broad understanding of the SIMG program.
The Area of Need (AoN) process applies to Australia only and is used to address medical workforce shortages in designated areas. It doesn't directly lead to fellowship or specialist registration by the Medical Board of Australia.
Frequently asked questions about ANZCA & FPM SIMG pathways