A Guide for Anaesthetists Navigating the ANZCA SIMG Assessment Process

The Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) offers a Specialist International Medical Graduate (SIMG) assessment process for UK-trained and overseas-trained anaesthetists seeking to practice in Australia. For doctors undertaking the anaesthesia and/or pain medicine specialist international medical graduate (SIMG) assessment process, how to obtain recognition and registration is outlined in this guide.

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

If you have completed specialist training and specialist qualifications in Anaesthesia outside Australia, then you will be eligible to apply for one of the specialist pathways, however it is worth noting that your training, qualifications and experience will be directly compared with Australian standards.

Firstly, if you have a qualification on the Expedited Specialist Pathway: accepted qualification list, then you may be eligible to apply for the Medical Board of Australia (MBA) Expedited Specialist Pathway. To be eligible you must have completed specialist training in either the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland as follow:- 

1. (CCT-UK and FRCA-UK) OR,

2. (CSCST and FCAI-Ireland)

If you have completed specialist training and specialist qualifications outside the UK or Ireland, then the standard SIMG application pathway via College Assessment outlined in this guide will be relevant to you. Here is the eligibility criteria:

• Completed a minimum of 72 months of training and experience as a registered medical practitioner.
• Completed a 12-month rotating internship following the basic medical degree, covering a wide range of clinical practice (excluding anAesthesia).
• Completed a formal specialist anaesthesia training program: At least 36 months in a comparable health system; OR At least 48 months in a non-comparable health system.
• Eligible for specialist registration as an anaesthetist in the country where training was undertaken.
• Actively engaged in a continuing professional development (CPD) program.

Step 2: AMC Portfolio & PSV

You must open an AMC portfolio and have both your primary medical qualification and specialist qualifications verified before submitting your application to ANZCA for the (SIMG) pathway. The verification will be completed by the Educational Committee for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). This can be done through the ECFMG’s Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials (EPIC).

Step 3: Submit an Application

Online applications are required via ANZCA's website. In order to submit, you must provide:

• Primary Source Verification of primary and specialist qualifications via ECFMG (EPIC).
• A completed SIMG application form (download from ANZCA website)
• A completed SIMG CV form (download from ANZCA website)
• Evidence of English Language Proficiency
• Certificate of Good Standing
• A copy of your Current Passport
• Application Fee
• The SIMG application form will provide you with a checklist of further mandatory documents required including:- References and logbooks, CPD statements, evidence of Audits and QIP, certificates of simulation courses etc. 

Step 4: Preliminary Review (Initial Assessment)

ANZCA will conduct a preliminary review of the submitted documents to determine whether the applicant is eligible for further assessment, and whether to proceed to the next stage.

A Summary of Preliminary Review (SPR) will be sent to the applicant which confirms any deficiencies or gaps there are may be prior to interview. 

Step 5: Interview and Assessment

Candidates who meet the eligibility requirements will be invited for an interview with ANZCA's SIMG Committee. As part of the interview, the applicant is assessed for their competency and their training is compared with Australian and New Zealand standards. The following areas will be covered:

• Training. 
• Qualification. 
• Specialist practice. 
• Continuing professional development. 
• Cultural safety and community awareness.

Interviews are conducted either virtually via Videocall or in person in the Melbourne college office. The interview panel usually consists of three fellows and a community representative. For further information, the Handbook for Specialist International Medical Graduates is a good place to find answers.

Step 6: Determination of Assessment Outcome

Following the interview, ANZCA will determine if the applicant is:

• Substantially Comparable: Eligible for supervised practice and further assessments.
• Partially Comparable: Requires additional training or examinations.
• Not Comparable: Required to undertake full training as a new trainee.

At this stage you will receive Report 1 and/or an assessment outcome letter. Report 1 will includes the comparability outcome, the level of supervision required, and any further requirements for the applicant's individual program.

At this stage you will certainly be seeking suitable employment from an ANZCA accredited employer in Australia. It's important to match with an employer that can provide the level and duration of supervision that's outlined on your report.

Step 7: Individual Program and Supervised Practice

Depending on the outcome, candidates may need to complete a period of supervised practice, performance assessments, or further examinations before achieving full recognition.

The individual program (IP) is generally made up of six components:

1. Clinical Practice Assessment (CPA)
2. Patient Clinical Interaction Assessment (PCIA)
3. Anaesthesia Final Examination/Pain Medicine Examination or SIMG performance Assessment
4. Effective Management of Anaesthetic Crisis (EMAC) course 
5. Multisource feedback (MSF) 
6. Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Step 8: Fellowship and Full Registration

Once all requirements are met, successful applicants can apply for Fellowship of ANZCA (FANZCA) and gain full specialist registration with the Medical Board of Australia or the Medical Council of New Zealand.

Associated Costs

Applicants should be aware of the financial implications involved in the SIMG assessment process. Costs may include: application fee and a separate interview fee, potential supervised practice costs, and examination fees (if required)

For the most up-to-date fees and costs, applicants should refer to the official ANZCA website.

Processing time

The process can take 2-6 months in total, however ANZCA are consistently outperforming the AHPRA benchmark processing times for each stage from the initial application up until the final decision (Report 1). 

You can access up-to-date processing times on the ANZCA website. 

Final Thoughts

The ANZCA SIMG assessment process can be complex, but UK-trained anaesthetists who carefully follow these steps will be well-prepared for a smooth transition into practice in Australia or New Zealand.

Want to Know More? 

With Anaesthetics roles in high demand across Australia, now is the perfect the perfect time to take the next step in your career. Check out our latest job listings and discover exciting opportunities suited to your expertise.

If you are interested in applying or would like to know more about the process, we'd love to hear from you! Email over a copy of your CV to aus@bdiresourcing.com  and a member of our team will reach out.