Anaesthetics Training Pathway
How to become an anaesthetist in Australia — pathway, competitiveness, selection, and what they really earn.
Selection is competitive — most successful applicants spend one to three prevocational years building anaesthesia and ICU experience first.
Why anaesthetics
You manage physiology in real time — airway, haemodynamics, analgesia — across the whole hospital, from theatre lists to obstetrics, ICU and pain. It suits people who like procedures, applied pharmacology and physiology, and acute decision-making, but who want defined shifts rather than long-term clinic ownership.
- Draws: Highly procedural and hands-on, Among the more controllable hours in medicine, Strong private earning potential, Clear, well-defined scope.
- Trade-offs: Competitive entry, Exam-heavy training, Less long-term patient continuity, Early starts and on-call.
- Subspecialties: Cardiac, Paediatric, Obstetric, Neuroanaesthesia, Pain medicine, Retrieval / pre-hospital.
The training pathway
The same fellowship, two very different timelines. The fast route assumes everything goes right; most people land on the realistic one.
How competitive is it?
What each state actually publishes. Anaesthesia has no national match, so most states release a training-capacity number but not applicant or offer counts — Queensland is the only exception.
| State | Training positions | Applicants | Offers |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | ~100 scheme + 100–130 independent / yr | — | — |
| VIC | Not published | — | — |
| QLD | 51 first-year (2026) | 404 | 51 |
| SA | Not published | — | — |
| WA | Pool — not fixed | — | — |
| TAS | ~35–40 (all levels) | — | — |
| ACT | 34 registrars + 4 senior | — | — |
| NT | Via SANTRATS | — | — |
States report capacity differently — NSW publishes positions offered per year, while TAS and ACT publish a total cohort across all training years, so the figures aren't directly comparable. Queensland (QARTS) is the only scheme that publishes applicants and offers: 404 eligible applications for 51 first-year places in 2026. For every other state, applicant and offer counts simply aren't released — ANZCA itself told a 2024 NSW inquiry that entry numbers are “difficult to determine.”
Unaccredited time: Effectively yes — most applicants have prevocational anaesthesia/ICU time.
Sources: QARTS — Queensland Health, ANZCA evidence — NSW Special Commission of Inquiry into Healthcare Funding (2024), Canberra Health Services — anaesthetic registrar position, Tasmanian Anaesthetic Training Program.
Selection criteria & how to apply
Selection is run by states and training networks, so the exact process and weighting varies by where you apply. The components typically scored:
Key documents: ANZCA selection into training.
How it works, state by state
NSW Roughly 100 core/scheme positions plus 100–130 one-year independent contracts offered each year statewide (ANZCA, 2024); 502 active NSW trainees across 47 accredited sites.
Who runs selection: Decentralised — there's no statewide match. Individual hospitals and their rotational schemes recruit separately through the NSW Health JMO/registrar campaign.
Where to apply: NSW Health JMO & registrar campaign — application portal.
When: Annual statewide campaign. For the 2027 clinical year the critical-care/anaesthesia stream advertised 22 June–6 July 2026 with offers from 29 July 2026; individual hospitals run their own windows within this.
Interviews: Each hospital runs its own — typically a structured panel interview. There's no single statewide format or standardised MMI/viva like Queensland's.
How they choose you: Assessed on your written application against the selection criteria, CV, a structured interview and referee reports. Numeric weightings aren't published and vary by hospital.
Positions: Roughly 100 core/scheme positions plus 100–130 one-year independent contracts offered each year statewide (ANZCA, 2024); 502 active NSW trainees across 47 accredited sites.
Worth knowing: Because each hospital recruits independently you can apply to several, and your odds depend on the site. Many enter via an anaesthetic/critical-care SRMO post (often PGY3+) before a scheme registrar position.
Links: NSW Health — how to apply, NSW Health — campaign dates, ANZCA accredited sites — NSW.
VIC
Who runs selection: Centralised through the Victorian Anaesthesia Training Committee (VATC), which coordinates one application across four rotational schemes (Eastern, Monash, North Western, Regional) and runs its own match. Note: anaesthesia does NOT use the PMCV computer-match, despite appearing on the PMCV pathways site.
Where to apply: Single VATC online application (formdesk) — application portal.
When: For the 2027 intake: applications 1 June–3 July 2026, interviews 24–26 August 2026, match results released by 4 September 2026.
Interviews: One interview round, run separately by each of the four programs (panel format, at the program's site or online). If more than one program shortlists you, you rank them on a preference form and are matched.
How they choose you: Application is a CV plus three referees, assessed with the interview. VATC doesn't publish a numeric weighting; each program shortlists and ranks on its own criteria.
Worth knowing: One application covers all four schemes — you don't apply to each separately. The Primary written exam is sat around the same window (18 August 2026 for the 2027 intake).
Links: VATS 2027 important dates (ANZCA), ANZCA accredited sites — Victoria.
QLD 51 first-year places in the 2026 round (from 404 eligible applications).
Who runs selection: Statewide — the Queensland Anaesthetics Rotational Training Scheme (QARTS) administers selection and placement across the four accredited rotations (Southern, Gold Coast, Central, Northern), with Queensland Health and the Directors of Anaesthesia.
Where to apply: Queensland Health RMO & Registrar Campaign — opt into QARTS inside the application — application portal.
When: Carried by the annual RMO/registrar campaign — for 2026, applications ran 1–29 June; late applications aren't accepted.
Interviews: QARTS interviews shortlisted applicants 'if deemed necessary' (not everyone is interviewed), historically at the ANZCA Queensland office in early August with videoconference offered. Final placements are decided at a combined selection meeting.
How they choose you: Scored against QARTS mandatory and selection criteria; a published numeric weighting isn't available. Appointments are made by the employing hospitals after the selection meeting.
Positions: 51 first-year places in the 2026 round (from 404 eligible applications).
Worth knowing: You opt into QARTS by answering 'Yes' to the QARTS question inside the Queensland Health campaign and preferencing rotations — there's no separate QARTS portal.
Links: QARTS scheme page, Queensland Health RMO & registrar campaign.
SA
Who runs selection: Statewide through SANTRATS (the South Australia & Northern Territory Rotational Anaesthesia Training Scheme). Rotational supervisors and the ANZCA SA/NT committee run selection; the directors of anaesthesia make the appointments and SA Health advertises.
Where to apply: SA Health careers (a specific job number each cycle — 937888 for the 2027 intake) — application portal.
When: One intake a year. For 2027: applications ~10–24 June 2026, shortlisting August, interviews September, commencing February 2027. Email SANTRATS@anzca.edu.au to be told when the ad goes live.
Interviews: A single in-person panel interview at the ANZCA SA/NT office (168 Ward Street, North Adelaide): a chairperson plus five panellists who each ask one question, about 20 minutes. References are checked before shortlisting.
How they choose you: CV plus a one-page cover letter (don't address the selection criteria in it) and three referees. A panel of anaesthesia fellows scores and shortlists; no numeric weighting is published. Three unsuccessful applications makes you ineligible.
Worth knowing: SANTRATS covers SA and the NT and includes a mandatory 6-month rotation to Darwin or Mount Gambier. You need general (not provisional) registration, ≥PGY2 and ≥3 months FTE anaesthesia experience.
Links: Applying to SANTRATS (ANZCA booklet), SA Health careers.
WA
Who runs selection: Statewide WA Rotational Anaesthesia Training Program (WA RATP). Selection is coordinated by the Medical Workforce Department at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital on behalf of 14 employing hospitals.
Where to apply: MedCareersWA plus a separate WA RATP form (RedCap for 2027) — both must be completed — application portal.
When: Advertised around June for a February start. For 2027: applications open 25 May 2026 and close 15 June 2026; assessment days late August–early September.
Interviews: Shortlisted candidates attend an in-person assessment in Perth: a short prepared presentation, then interview questions, then two simulation-based OSCEs. You must attend in person.
How they choose you: Cover letter (≤200 words), CV (criteria 1–3 are marked from it), written responses to criteria 4–10, and three referees. Final ranking combines the presentation, interview and OSCEs plus references; successful applicants go into a pool that appointments are drawn from.
Worth knowing: Two separate application components must both be submitted (MedCareersWA and the RATP form). Over-length responses are penalised.
TAS Around 35–40 positions across all training levels each year (including up to ~7–8 provisional-fellow/senior-registrar posts); first-year vacancies vary by cycle.
Who runs selection: Statewide Tasmanian Anaesthetic Training Program (TATP), run by the Tasmanian Health Service; the TATP Committee (members from each Tasmanian hospital) decides selection. Trainees rotate through Royal Hobart, Launceston General and North West Regional.
Where to apply: Tasmanian Government jobs portal — application portal.
When: Statewide campaign; for the 2027 intake applications close 14 June 2026 for a 1 February 2027 start. A separate Rural Generalist Anaesthesia stream runs alongside.
Interviews: A single standardised interview (by phone or in person) for shortlisted candidates; the TATP Committee makes the recommendations.
How they choose you: Tasmania publishes its scoring: CV ~30%, written selection-criteria responses ~30%, interview ~30%, general impression ~10%, with references and a self-reflection as supporting evidence. At least 24 months of JMO experience is desirable.
Positions: Around 35–40 positions across all training levels each year (including up to ~7–8 provisional-fellow/senior-registrar posts); first-year vacancies vary by cycle.
Worth knowing: One of the few schemes that publishes its scoring weights. Applications are online only — no hard copy or agent.
ACT Canberra Health Services lists positions for 34 registrars plus at least 4 senior registrars (the whole cohort); new first-year openings per year aren't separately published.
Who runs selection: Centralised ACT Regional Rotational Training Scheme run by Canberra Health Services / ACT Health — one selection process covers all scheme positions. It spans The Canberra Hospital and Calvary Bruce, with regional secondments to Albury-Wodonga or Wagga Wagga, and links to the Southern NSW scheme.
Where to apply: ACT Health / Canberra Health Services careers (Taleo) — application portal.
When: Main intake advertised in July for a January/February start; interviews for shortlisted candidates are usually held in early September.
Interviews: Shortlisted candidates interview (usually early September); you submit a CV and nominate three referees. The detailed format isn't published beyond 'shortlist plus interview'.
How they choose you: Five selection criteria — anaesthesia/clinical experience, understanding of the program, teamwork, commitment to education, and safety/quality alignment — assessed from an online form, CV and three referees. No numeric weighting is published. Entry is PGY4+ by commencement.
Positions: Canberra Health Services lists positions for 34 registrars plus at least 4 senior registrars (the whole cohort); new first-year openings per year aren't separately published.
Worth knowing: A single small centralised scheme, so there's one process rather than hospital-by-hospital applications. Check the commencement year on the live position description, which ACT updates annually.
NT Royal Darwin's department holds ten rotational registrar posts (SANTRATS and QARTS) plus two independent accredited positions; NT-specific first-year counts aren't published.
Who runs selection: No standalone NT scheme — Royal Darwin & Palmerston rotates trainees in from SANTRATS (the SA/NT scheme) and the QARTS Northern rotation; Alice Springs recruits separately through NT Health.
Where to apply: SANTRATS via SA Health careers; direct NT positions via the NT Health jobs portal — application portal.
When: Mainly through SANTRATS: applications ~10–24 June 2026 for a February 2027 start (shortlisting August, interviews September). Some direct Royal Darwin positions are advertised separately.
Interviews: Via SANTRATS — a single in-person panel at the ANZCA SA/NT office in North Adelaide (chair plus five panellists, ~20 minutes).
How they choose you: Through SANTRATS' process (CV, one-page cover letter, three referees, panel scoring), or directly with the Darwin or Alice Springs departments for independent posts.
Positions: Royal Darwin's department holds ten rotational registrar posts (SANTRATS and QARTS) plus two independent accredited positions; NT-specific first-year counts aren't published.
Worth knowing: The main route in is applying through SANTRATS and rotating to Darwin (a SANTRATS rotation includes a mandatory Darwin or Mount Gambier term). For Top End or Central Australia direct posts, contact the department.
Links: NT Health — anaesthesia, Applying to SANTRATS (ANZCA booklet).
How to optimise your application
- Anaesthesia + ICU terms (tied to CV, start PGY1–2) — The single strongest signal of aptitude and commitment.
- Strong references from anaesthetists (tied to References (25%), start ongoing) — Work where consultants will know you and vouch credibly.
- Interview preparation (tied to Interview (35%), start pre-application) — Structured clinical/viva practice with current trainees.
- EMAC and early exam reading (tied to CV, start PGY2+) — Signals commitment; not mandatory before selection.
Key documents & official links
FAQ
Do you need research or a PhD to get in?
How many unaccredited years are typical?
Can you apply in multiple states?
Trained overseas? (IMG pathway)
How overseas-trained anaesthetics doctors get recognised
Overseas-trained anaesthetists are assessed by ANZCA via the Specialist International Medical Graduate (SIMG) pathway, which compares your training and experience against the Australian standard.
See the ANZCA SIMG assessment page and our IMG internship guide.
Related specialties
Last reviewed 2026-06-01.