Australian Health Directory

Anaesthetic services in Australia are provided by specialist anaesthetists and general practitioner anaesthetists.

Specialist anaesthetists complete a training program established by the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) in order to be recognised as a Fellow of the College.

GP anaesthetists undertake special training to meet the requirements of the Joint Consultative Committee on Anaesthesia. It is a tripartite committee with representatives from ANZCA, the Royal Australian College of General Practice (National Rural Faculty) and the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine.

Specialists anaesthetists are represented by the Australian Society of Anaesthetists, one of the oldest medical societies in the country, established in 1934. Its members include specialist anaesthetist physicians, registrar trainees and non-specialist GP anaesthetists.

Most specialist anaesthetists practice in capital cities and in large regional centres. There is a shortage of specialist anaesthetists in rural hospitals in Australia. These hospitals are serviced by GP anaesthetists.