If you've made the decision to enter Anaesthetics Training, you can begin to make a plan on how to get started. In Australia and New Zealand, vocational training in Anaesthetics are provided by the Australia and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA). ANZCA is responsible for the training, examination and specialist accreditation of anaesthetists and pain medicine specialists in Australia and New Zealand.
The training program is generally 5 years long, which consists of two years in Basic training, two years in Advanced training and one year provisional fellowship training. During this time, you will need to sit two major examinations, the ANZCA Primary examination and the ANZCA Final Examination to complete your training. More information about the training program is available on the ANZCA Training Handbook (2018).
To enter the training program, you will have to apply to individual rotational training schemes that are conducted differently in each states. The applications are directed to each rotational training schemes individually, and would usually involve the application form, an interview and then a matching process. More information available at ANZCA website.
To prepare yourself to get into anaesthetic training, a few things you could do include:
There are many opinions on what a good anaesthetics resident is, but in my opinion, a good anaesthetics resident should be:
Have a rotation in anaesthetics? Here's a short reading material for medical students interested to know more about anaesthetics.
A handbook for anaesthetic residents and first year trainees.