About the College

RANZCP President,
Associate Professor Vinay Lakra

Our members

The College has over 7900 members, including more than 5600 qualified psychiatrists (consisting of both Fellows and Affiliates of the College) and over 2200 members who are training to qualify as psychiatrists (referred to as Associate members or trainees).

In Australia, approximately 85% of practising psychiatrists are current RANZCP members. In Aotearoa New Zealand, more than 50% of practising psychiatrists are current members. In both countries, all psychiatrists must be accredited by the RANZCP before they can practise.

.More about membership

Our community

The College's vision is excellence and equity in the provision of mental healthcare. We believe in genuine engagement with people with mental illness and their carers and families. Their needs, perspectives, concerns and values influence College decisions at all levels.

What the College does

• Sets the professional standards for the practice of psychiatry in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

• Conducts training and exams for doctors wanting to qualify as psychiatrists. The rigorous psychiatry training program takes a minimum of 5 years (after medical training and registration), during which time trainees work in hospitals and clinics, under the supervision of experienced psychiatrists. The College also oversees training and accreditation for overseas-trained psychiatrists.
  
  .More about the psychiatry training program

• Administers the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program for practising psychiatrists. Once qualified, psychiatrists must continue to participate in medical education activities each year to ensure that they maintain high levels of skills and knowledge and to maintain their registration.
  
  .More about the CPD program

• Holds conferences and meetings with the aim of sharing knowledge in psychiatry and related fields. The College's major scientific meeting is its annual congress. There are also a number of specialist conferences each year.
  
  .More about the College's events

• Publishes two scientific journals – Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry (ANZJP) and Australasian Psychiatry. These peer-reviewed journals discuss research and developments in psychiatry. ANZJP is the leading psychiatry journal of the Asia–Pacific region.
  
  .More about the College's journals
   
• Publishes guidelines and policy documents. The College publishes practice guidelines for psychiatrists, and produces position statements, submissions and reports.
   
• Produces evidence-based mental health information for the public, available at yourhealthinmind.org

• Represents psychiatrists with government, community groups and health worker groups. The College works with these groups in the interests of psychiatrists, patients and the general community.

The RANZCP’s coat of arms and motto: Ex veritate salus – out of truth comes health

Structure and governance

The College is governed by a Board led by the College's President, Associate Professor Vinay Lakra. The Acting Chief Executive Officer of the College is Ms Callie Kalimniou.

The RANZCP has a head office in Melbourne, a national office in Aotearoa New Zealand, and branch offices around Australia. Within the College, specialist aspects of psychiatry are represented by Faculties, Sections and Networks.

 .College governance
 .Key people at the College

History

The College's history dates back to 1946, when the Australasian Association of Psychiatrists was formed. In 1963, the association became the Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, and 'Royal' was added to the name in 1978.

.More about the College's history

Patrons

The RANZCP is supported by its patrons:

His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia

Her Excellency, The Right Honourable Dame Cindy Kiro, GNZM, QSO, Governor-General of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Our values

• Respect
• Collaboration
• Excellence
• Action

Location