Updates to ANZCA governing documents for 2025

Training program

Updates

Anaesthesia  

The IAAC has been removed from introductory training. Two new assessments replace the IAACQ: the MCQA and SES. Changes have also been made to recognition of recent anaesthetic experience and working beyond level 1 supervision in line with current practice.  

• See sections relating to introductory training, recognition of recent anaesthesia training and assessments in the anaesthesia handbook for training 

A patient clinical interaction assessment (PCIA) has been added to advanced training (AT) 

• See sections relating to advanced training and assessment in the anaesthesia handbook for training 

Scholar role meeting requirements have been updated – the college now accepts multiple short virtual meetings to form one full meeting. 

• See section 2.13.3 of the anaesthesia training handbook 

Multiple changes have been made to examination processes, the way results are received and examination failure and feedback processes.  

• See the examination section of the anaesthesia handbook for training 

Updates to special consideration and reconsideration, review and appeal processes, in line with the updated policies. 

• See sections 2.14.5 and 3.7 of the anaesthesia handbook for training 

Wording regarding acceptable supervisors of clinical experience was updated to better reflect current practice and provide clarity regarding SIMG supervisors 

• See section 2.5.2 of the anaesthesia handbook for training  

Addition of information regarding recognition of prior learning (RPL) for rural generalist training 

• See section 1.6.6 of the anaesthesia handbook for training 

Updates to departmental roles, specifically head of department and introductory training tutor roles, and the inclusion of a patient clinical interaction assessor role.  

• See sections 4.1 onwards of the anaesthesia handbook for training 

Diving and hyperbaric medicine (DHM) 

Updates to special consideration and reconsideration, review and appeal processes. 

• See sections 8.3 and 12 of the diving and hyperbaric medicine handbook 

Rural generalist anaesthesia (RGA) 

Updates to special consideration and reconsideration, review and appeal processes. 

• See sections 2.6.8 and 3.6 of the rural generalist anaesthesia handbook 

Updates to Recommended prior learning and registration for current trainees of RACGP or ACRRM. 

• See sections 1.1-1.3 of the rural generalist anaesthesia handbook 

Update to paediatric life support course requirements for trainees who already hold a current course.  

• See section 2.7.2 

Updates to fee structures and time limits on training completion. 

• See section 1.7, 2.4 and 2.8 of the rural generalist anaesthesia handbook 

Specialist international medical graduates (SIMG) 

Documents have been updated to include new assessment requirements for SIMGs (the PCIA). 

• See section 6, 7.6 and 26 of the handbook for specialist international medical graduates.   

Training program 

Updates 

Anaesthesia, DHM and RGA 

Three accreditation descriptors were added to the Introduction section of each program accreditation handbook. The three descriptors define the following: Accreditation purpose, Accreditation philosophy and Accreditation definition. 

RGA 

Updates to arranging an accreditation inspection of a new site and outcome of site inspection. 

• See sections 5 and 9 of the RGA Accreditation handbook 

Updates to types of accreditation sites. 

• See section 10 of the RGA Accreditation handbook 

Regulation and associated training program

Changes made in 2024

23 
SIMG 

Updated text to reflect addition of the PCIA and insertion of new clause 23.9.8. 

• See clauses 23.9.8, 23.9.9 and 23.9.10 of Regulation 23 

Updated text to reflect new Reconsideration, review and appeal (RRA) policy. 

• See clause 23.21 of Regulation 23 

Addition of Appendix A, regarding the Medical Board of Australia (MBA) expedited specialist pathway or Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) Fast-track provisional vocational (specialist) registration. 

• See Appendix A of Regulation 23 

Updated text in relation to training fees  

• See clause 36.10.4.1 of Regulation 36 

Updated text to match wording (of the same topic – annual fee cycle and financial hardship) of regulation 37  

• See clause 36.19.4.5 of Regulation 36 

37 
Anaesthesia 

Insertion of new text at 37.7.1.5.2 relating to training prior to registration for approved vocational training in Australia or NZ 

• See clause 37.7.1.5.2 of Regulation 37 

Updated to align with the updated Special Consideration Policy  

• See clause 37.14.6.4.2 of Regulation 37 

Updates regarding the annual fee cycle and financial hardship 

• See clause 37.21.3.2 of Regulation 37 

Minor edits to the section relating to the Primary examination  

• See clause 37.14.6 of Regulation 37 

Amended wording to remove ambiguity around leave.  

• See clause 37.9.1 of Regulation 37 

Updates to align with the introduction of the MCQA and the SES in introductory training. 

• See clauses 37.7.1.6.1, 37.7.1.6.2, 37.10, 37.12.5, 37.14.5 of Regulation 37 

44 
RGA 

Minor updates referring to Registration (notably the time periods) 

• See clauses 44.3.1.1, 44.3.1.2, 44.3.1.3, 44.3.2.1.2 and 44.3.2.1.3 of Regulation 44 

Updated to reflect changes in the way RGA training sites are accredited 

• See clauses 44.7.1, 44.7.3, 44.7.5, 44.7.5.1, 44.7.5.2 and 44.7.5.3 of Regulation 44 

Updated text that allows recognition of APLS without fee for RGA trainees who hold current certificates. It additionally provides more clarity to trainees regarding completion requirements  

• See clause 44.14.1.3.1 of Regulation 44  

Updated to align with RRA policy amendment  

• See clause 44.29.1 of Regulation 44