Anaesthesia

Specialty overview

Anaesthetists rely on a unique set of clinical skills and an extensive knowledge of physiology and pharmacology to provide appropriate anaesthesia and sedation for patients undergoing surgery and other medical procedures.

Clinical practice

Anaesthetists work within both the public and private sectors to provide perioperative care for patients of all ages before, during and after surgery. Anaesthetists not only provide anaesthesia and sedation for patients, they also administer airway management, resuscitate acutely unwell patients and provide pain management for patients. Anaesthetists often work within trauma and retrieval teams, and work collaboratively with intensive care and pain medicine specialists.

Key statistics

2023 QLD Training program selections(first year)

308
eligible

70
selected

Number of Queensland and Australian specialists

1147

Number of QLD specialists

5242

Number of Australian specialists

Number of Queensland and Australian new fellows

Number of QLD new fellows

242

Number of Australian new fellows

Number of Queensland trainees and average work hours

336

Number of QLD trainees

40.9

Average weekly hours

Information on specialists

1,147

Number of QLD specialists
53

Number of QLD new fellows
40.9 hours

Average weekly hours QLD
49 years

Average age QLD

Specialists over 60

This donut chart shows that 15% of specialists are aged over 60 years.
Specialist intending to retire by 2032

This donut chart shows that 37% of 2022 workforce intend to retire by 2032.
Location in Queensland

This donut chart shows the percentage of specialists by their location: 20.8% are located in regional Queensland, 79% are in major cities, and 0.2% are in remote regions. The chart highlights that a vast majority of specialists are based in major cities.
Proportion Female/Male - QLD

66.8%
male

33.2%
female

This doughnut chart shows the proportion of males and females. Males are 66.8%, Females are 33.2%.
Public vs Private

44.8%
private

55.2%
public

This doughnut chart shows the proportion of public and private specialists. Private is 44.8%, Public is 55.2%.

Information on trainees

336

Number of Queensland trainees
46

Number of new Queensland trainees
1461

Number of Australian trainees
226

Number of new Australian trainees

Proportion female/male trainees in Queensland

60.1%
male

39.9%
female

This doughnut chart shows the proportion of males and females. Males are 60.1%, Females are 39.9%.
2023 QLD Training program selections (first year)

308
eligible

70
selected

This doughnut chart shows the number of 2023 QLD Training Program Selections (First Year). 308 Eligible applications were received, 70 of those were selected.

Number of Queensland trainees 2015-2022

Hear about our training

Watch

3:54

Anaesthetics Training in Northern Queensland

View transcript

What our staff have to say

A/Prof. Kerstin Wyssusek

Director of Anaesthetics
Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital

Treating patients at their most critical and vulnerable times in their hospital journey requires a lot of attention to detail, an ability to predict and anticipate and to intervene immediately. With these abilities we can make a real difference in the patient experience and their outcome.

Training information

College

Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA)

Length of training

5 years full-time (6 months introductory training, 18 months basic training, 2 years advanced training, 1 year provisional fellowship)

Method of allocation

College-selected trainees may be allocated to a training post by:

Queensland Health pathway/network (centrally coordinated)
Queensland Health facility (accredited for training)

Program overview

The Queensland Anaesthetic Rotational Training Scheme (QARTS) oversees the four ANZCA accredited rotations in Queensland. The Queensland Anaesthetic Rotational Training Scheme (QARTS) administers the selection and placement of training registrars to accredited training hospitals throughout Queensland in conjunction with Queensland Health and a Directors of Anaesthesia Group.

Training and assessment summary

Anaesthetic training is undertaken in hospitals and other facilities accredited by ANZCA and follows a comprehensive curriculum for training which includes learning outcomes, volume of practice requirements, time requirements, courses, assessments and progression reviews. Trainees follow this curriculum to complete introductory training (IT), basic training (BT), advanced training (AT) and provisional fellowship training (PFT). Upon completing all requirements of the training program, trainees may apply for admission to Fellowship of ANZCA.

Eligibility

Applicants must hold current general medical registration with the Medical Board of Australia, be a citizen of Australia or New Zealand or a permanent resident of Australia, and have completed 2 years of general hospital experience (this can include up to 12 months in anaesthesia or intensive care but the aim is to ensure a grounding in general medicine and in disciplines other than anaesthesia).

Flexibility

Minimum 50% of full-time commitment. ANZCA supports part-time training, however negotiations for part-time employment are between the trainee and the employer. Part-time training must comprise a minimum of 50% of the commitment of a full-time trainee in the same department and be applied for prospectively and approved by the ANZCA Director of Professional Affairs. Training must be completed within 12 years.

Interrupted training

Allowed up to 104 consecutive weeks by seeking prospective approval from the ANZCA Director of Professional Affairs.

Training locations

Last updated: October 2024