Psychiatry

Adult psychiatry

12 months, at least 6 of them in an acute setting

Stage 1 entrustable professional activities

Using antipsychotic medication in schizophrenia or psychosis, and psychoeducation for a patient and their family or carers about a major mental illness

First rotation

You can pass the first 6-month rotation before any activity is entrusted

Learning outcomes

Attained to progress to Stage 2

Child and adolescent psychiatry

6 months, mandatory

Consultation-liaison psychiatry

6 months, mandatory

• In an accredited rural post, you can apply to do it there

Elective rotations

Two of 6 months, in addiction, adult, old age, forensic or Indigenous psychiatry, or another approved area

Multiple Choice Question Exam

190 minutes at a Pearson testing centre, 140 questions and two critical analysis problems, in March and September

• Apply after 6 months of training and pass by 36 months
• A pass is needed to begin a Certificate of Advanced Training

Area of practice activities

Delirium and distress in medical illness, a child and an adolescent, intoxication and comorbid substance use, and dementia symptoms and medication in patients 75 and over

General psychiatry activities

Electroconvulsive therapy, the Mental Health Act, risk of harm, and cultural and linguistic diversity

Psychotherapy activities

2 of 3 by the end of Stage 2, psychodynamically informed encounters, supportive psychotherapy, and cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety

Elective rotations

Four of 6 months, in one area or several, among addiction, adult, child and adolescent, consultation-liaison, forensic, Indigenous, old age, psychotherapies, and research, education or administration with approval

Psychotherapy

At least 3 patients, for at least 6 sessions each

Certificate of Advanced Training

You can begin one in a subspecialty, with its own selection

Modified Essay Questions Exam

150 minutes, five clinical essay questions, computer-based from 2026, in March and September

• Apply after 18 months of training and pass by 60 months

Clinical Competency Portfolio Review

A review of your Stage 3 in-training assessments and observed clinical activities, after at least 12 months of Stage 3

Stage 3 entrustable professional activities

Eight, at least two at an advanced level in each 6-month rotation, and any outstanding psychotherapy activity

Completion

Then Fellowship of the RANZCPRoyal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists

Psychotherapy Written Case

At least weekly psychodynamic psychotherapy with one patient for 40 sessions over 6 to 12 months, written up in 8000 to 10,000 words, by 60 months

Scholarly Project

3000 to 5000 words of research, an audit, a literature review or a case series, approved by the Branch Training Committee and supervised by an accredited Fellow, by 60 months