Clinical guidelines & publications library

Australian Family Court proceedings

Ethics, Forensic, Medico-legal, Professionalism

Guidance to members about family court proceedings including custody issues, being an expert witness, testifying and reports. PDF Clinical guideline

Tobacco policy

Addiction, Addressing health inequity, Culturally safe practice, Ethics, Professionalism, Smoking cessation

Solutions for tobacco control to change the way physicians and psychiatrists view their role in reducing mortality and morbidity due to tobacco smoking. PDF Clinical guideline

Family and whānau involvement in mental health consumers/tangata whai ora care, assessment and treatment

Culturally safe practice, Families, whānau & carers, Māori, Professionalism

Guidance notes to assist mental health staff to work effectively with families. URL Clinical guideline

Carers' Strategy Action Plan Consultation 2026

RANZCP Tū Te Akaaka Roa Submission to the Aotearoa New Zealand Ministry of Social Development regarding the Carers' Strategy Action Plan 2026

Schizophrenia clinical practice guideline

Ethics, Professionalism, Schizophrenia

This guideline is more than five years old and no longer considered current guidance. PDF

Mood disorders clinical practice guideline

Ethics, Mood disorders, Professionalism

This guideline is more than five years old and no longer considered current guidance. PDF Clinical guideline

NSW 2026-27 Pre-Budget submission

RANZCP New South Wales Branch Submission to the 2026-27 NSW State Budget PDF Submission

MCNZ Cultural Safety Consultation 2026

RANZCP Tū Te Akaaka Roa Submission to Te Kaunihera Rata o Aotearoa | Medical Council of New Zealand regarding the 2026 Consultation on Cultural Competence, Cultural Safety and Hauora Māori PDF Submission

Inquiry into the relationship between domestic, family and sexual violence and suicide

RANZCP Submission to the Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs regarding the Inquiry into the relationship between domestic, family and sexual violence and suicide

Whānau Ora

Culturally safe practice, Māori, Professionalism

This statement affirms and strengthens the RANZCP's commitment to He Whakaputanga (Declaration of Independence) and Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Treaty of Waitangi) principles of tino rangatiratanga (self-determination), Māori health equity and meeting the needs of tangata whaiora.

Voluntary assisted dying

Ethics, Professionalism, Voluntary assisted dying

The primary role of medical practitioners in end of life care is to facilitate good quality patient-centred care. This statement should not be taken as explicit or implied support of the legalisation of physician assisted suicide. 

Use of antidepressants to treat depression in dementia

Antidepressants, Dementia, Professionalism

Elderly patients with dementia and depression should receive psychosocial interventions in the first instance. Antidepressants should be considered if there is no response.

Trauma-informed practice

Culturally safe practice, Professionalism, Trauma

Trauma-informed practice is an evolving concept which emphasises that trauma is a possibility in the lives of all individuals and communities.

The role of the psychiatrist in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand

Professionalism, Workforce

A psychiatrist is a specialist medical doctor who assesses and treats patients with mental health problems. Psychiatrists often work in collaboration with general practitioners and other health professionals to best meet the mental health and emotional needs of patients.

The relevance of religion and spirituality to psychiatric practice

Collaborative care, Ethics

This position statement provides guidance to psychiatrists on how consideration of religion and/or spirituality can improve outcomes for people living with mental illness.

The provision of mental health services for asylum seekers and refugees

Asylum seekers and refugees

The RANZCP is concerned about the inadequate provision of mental health services to asylum seekers and refugees, and calls for policy change to improve mental health outcomes.

Abolition of torture and other inhuman treatment

Ethics, Professionalism, Trauma

Our commitment to the abolition of torture, and to researching and providing effective, evidence-based rehabilitative and therapeutic treatments to survivors.

The mental health of veterans and defence force service members

Ethics, Military and veterans, Professionalism

The position statement outlines the necessary action to improve mental health outcomes for current defence force service members and veterans.

Addressing the mental health impacts of disasters and crises

Culturally safe practice, Natural disasters & emergencies, Professionalism

This position statement outlines the importance of mental health support following acute disasters and crises and the role of psychiatrists in disaster response.

ADHD across the lifespan

ADHD, Professionalism

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a major mental disorder. This statement presents principles to develop a more appropriate, accessible, equitable health system that caters for the needs of people with ADHD across their lifespan.