The Diploma of Psychiatry is a new course to be offered by the RANZCP in 2024 that will enable medical practitioners in Australia to learn new skills in mental health assessment and support. It will provide training in core mental health assessment and therapeutic skills that can be applied to all age groups, populations, and mental health problems or diagnoses.

The aim of the Diploma is to improve access to skilled mental health support in the Australian community.

The Diploma will optimise patient care by providing a continuing professional development (CPD) opportunity to support you in developing enhanced skills to provide mental health care in our communities.

The RANZCP is inviting all RANZCP members to provide feedback on the Diploma offering. This consultation provides the opportunity for a review of the Diploma structure overall, eligibility, supervision options, participant learning activities and proposed assessment, recognition of prior learning and equivalence.

Review the Diploma consultation document [PDF; 222 KB]

Provide your feedback

The RANZCP has received funding under the Psychiatry Workforce Program (PWP) to develop the Diploma of Psychiatry (Diploma). 

The PWP is an Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care initiative that has been introduced to address mental health workforce maldistribution and shortages. The Program aims to improve access to high quality mental health care for all Australians.

The Diploma is vocational training for graduate medical practitioners and is not a higher education award in accordance with the Australian Qualifications Framework.  

Due to the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) requirements, the RANZCP is exploring a new naming structure for this course. 

Please note this information is subject to change based on ongoing consultation and in accordance with RANZCP governance review and procedures.