Nationally Consistent Assessment Pathways
The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) has introduced nationally consistent assessment pathways.  To view the pathways, please click here.

Assessment of Applications
Applications are assessed in accordance with the RANZCP Training and Assessment Regulations and Equivalence Guidelines current at the time of application.

Following the revocation of the Reciprocity Agreement by the Royal College of Psychiatrists (UK) in December 2007, the Fellowship Attainment Committee (FAC) has approved a revised version of the Equivalence Guidelines (Version 5).

Implementation of the revised guidelines will be from 1st April 2009.  For more information on the implementation of the revised guidelines, please click here.

Applications via the AMC
A trained specialist who has obtained their specialist psychiatric qualification overseas (known as a specialist IMG), who does not have unconditional medical registration in Australia and is seeking recognition as a specialist psychiatrist in Australia, is required to apply via the Australian Medical Council for initial assessment prior to College’s consideration.  For more information please see the AMC Website: www.amc.org.au.  The AMC website has a link to the contact details for all Medical Boards in Australia.

Once you have received notification from the AMC that they have forwarded your application to the College, you need to forward payment and additional documentation to the College, as outlined in the Specialist Assessment via AMC Application form. Please note:  payment and all required documentation, including the College CV Template and College Summary of Psychiatric Training form must be received by the College before the Committee will consider any application.  Application fees are outlined in the Overseas Specialists Fees Schedule    

Applications direct to RANZCP
Specialist international medical graduates (IMGs) who are based in New Zealand wanting to gain Fellowship but not intending to practice in Australia, or specialist IMGs who have unconditional medical registration in Australia and are seeking exemption from training and assessment requirements may apply directly to the College.

The required documentation is outlined in the Specialist Assessment Direct Application form and must include the College CV template and College Summary of Psychiatric Training form.  Please note:  payment and all required documentation must be received by the College before the Committee will consider any application.  Application fees are outlined in the Overseas Specialists Fees Schedule.

RANZCP Process
The Committee for Specialist IMG Education assesses applications for specialist assessment (exemption) upon notification from the AMC that specialist assessment by the College may begin, or upon receipt of a direct application, if applicable (see above information).  The Committee generally meets bi-monthly to discuss and assess applications.  Assessment of qualifications and training is based on a comparison of the applicant's training and experience with RANZCP requirements.  The process of approval is dependent on the detail provided by the applicant, the nature of their training, qualifications obtained and the need for extra investigation to be conducted by the College.  The Committee considers each case individually, and all applications are assessed according to the Training and Assessment Regulations current at the time of assessment.

The Committee grants applicants a category of exemption pertaining to the current Equivalence Guidelines, and specifies what training and assessment must be completed in order for the applicant to be eligible for Fellowship of the RANZCP.

Extension
If an exemption status is due to expire before training and examination requirements for admission to Fellowship can be completed, an extension may be granted for a further three years.  Applications should be forwarded directly to the Specialist IMG Education staff at the College.  The required documentation is outlined in the Extension Application Form.

Renewal
If exemption status has expired, an application for renewal may be submitted directly to the RANZCP.  Applications should be forwarded directly to the Specialist IMG Education staff at the College.  The required documentation is outlined in the Renewal Application Form.

Review
If an applicant can confirm they have a new qualification or subsequent experience not obtained at the time of the original determination, an application for a new review may be submitted.  Applications should be forwarded directly to the Specialist IMG Education staff at the College.  The required documentation is outlined in the Review Application Form.

For further details, please email the Specialist IMG Education staff via the Contact page.