Fellowship of RANZCOG
The Fellowship of RANZCOG equips future specialists with the knowledge, skills and professional qualities to meet the healthcare needs of women in two countries with culturally diverse populations.
Training overview
The FRANZCOG training program involves 276 weeks (six years) of hospital-based training and assessment. Training is divided into two components: 184 weeks (four years) of Basic Training, followed by an additional 92 weeks (two years) of Advanced Training.
To view your credited time in training, please visit the Time Summary page via My.RANZCOG.
Basic Training
Basic Training (184 weeks) includes:
rotation through two or more different hospitals, with at least:
46 weeks in a tertiary hospital
23 weeks in a rural hospital
46 weeks in a non-base hospital (can include rural rotation)
logged clinical work in obstetrics and gynaecology resulting in attainment of prescribed competency levels in specified procedures
utilisation of resources through the RANZCOG e-learning platform
formative and summative assessments, including three-monthly appraisals and six-monthly assessment reports
experience in gynaecological oncology
Advanced Training
Advanced Training (92 weeks) involves completion of relevant Advanced Training Modules (ATMs), and a focus on:
extending your expertise in obstetrics and/or gynaecology
developing your research expertise
developing your experience in areas of special interest
Credited training time
Training time will be credited after each satisfactorily assessed six-month semester. This is an aggregate of time, calculated in weeks, less any leave taken.
Credited training is capped at a maximum of 46 weeks FTE per FRANZCOG training year.
Part-time training contributes on a pro-rata basis but must not be less than 0.5 FTE.
Time in Training
Time in training is all time on the FRANZCOG training program, other than time taken as approved extended leave of absence or approved research leave as part of the Academic Stream. Approved fractional training (i.e. FTE training undertaken on a part-time basis) will be considered pro rata.
Basic Time in Training (BTIT)
Trainees must complete the four years (184 weeks of credited training) of Basic Training within six years of commencing Basic Training (i.e. six years BTIT).
Advanced Time in Training (ATIT)
Trainees must complete the two years (92 weeks of credited training) of Advanced Training within three years of commencing Advanced Training (i.e. three years ATIT).
Integrated Training Programs
The College will allocate you to an Integrated Training Program (ITP) for the duration of your Basic Training. An ITP is group of RANZCOG-accredited hospitals that usually includes at least one tertiary hospital and one rural hospital.
During Basic Training, you will spend a significant proportion of your training time at a single home/base hospital, while rotating to other hospitals within your ITP.
Across 184 weeks (four years), your ITP will provide you with access to:
rotation through two or more different hospitals, with at least:
46 weeks in a tertiary hospital
23 weeks in a rural hospital
46 weeks in a non-base hospital (can include rural rotation)
an ITP Coordinator with responsibility for coordinating your Basic Training
an in-hospital education program specifically designed for FRANZCOG trainees
an appropriate level of clinical experience to support your Basic Training
Rural training
During your compulsory rural rotation, you will gain exposure to opportunities that may not be available at a tertiary hospital, including:
an understanding of the distinctive issues facing rural hospitals, such as patient transfers and proximity to subspecialists and tertiary facilities
enhanced confidence and competence in core operative skills
increased independence in the skills needed for Advanced Training
involvement in outpatient and outreach clinics
exposure to different models of patient care and follow-up care
The College will take into account the merits of the training post and model for supervision when considering your rural rotation for prospective approval.
Training sites
Training sites must be able to provide you with the necessary experience in obstetrics and gynaecology to satisfactorily meet all FRANZCOG training and assessment requirements.
A range of medical professionals within these training sites will play a crucial role in your training, including:
Integrated Training Program (ITP) coordinators
training supervisors
consultants
midwives
other medical professionals
For more information on RANZCOG-accredited training hospitals and ITPs, including a full list of accredited sites in each state, please follow the link below to our Training Sites and Units page.
Planning your training program
A full-time FRANZCOG training year consists of two consecutive six-month training semesters.
Key submission dates for 2023 and 2024 are outlined below.
More information on training program deadlines can also be found in the following documents:
Key submission dates — 2023 training year
Semester 1
Monday 6th February to Sunday 6th August (2023)
| Requirement | Submission deadline |
|---|---|
| Prospective approval of training | Monday 12th December 2022 |
| Three-monthly formative appraisal (period ending Sunday 7th May) | Sunday 4th June 2023 |
| Six-monthly summative assessment (period ending Sunday 6th August) | Sunday 17th September 2023 |
Semester 2
Monday 7th August (2023) to Sunday 4th February (2024)
| Requirement | Submission deadline |
|---|---|
| Prospective approval of training | Monday 12th June 2023 |
| Three-monthly formative appraisal (period ending Sunday 5th November) | Sunday 3rd December 2023 |
| Six-monthly summative assessment (period ending Sunday 4th February) | Sunday 17th March 2024 |
Key submission dates — 2024 training year
Semester 1
Monday 5th February to Sunday 4th August (2024)
| Requirement | Submission deadline |
|---|---|
| Prospective approval of training | Monday 11th December 2023 |
| Three-monthly formative appraisal (period ending Sunday 5th May) | Sunday 2nd June 2024 |
| Six-monthly summative assessment (period ending Sunday 4th August) | Sunday 15th September 2024 |
Semester 2
Monday 5th August (2024) to Sunday 2nd February (2025)
| Requirement | Submission deadline |
|---|---|
| Prospective approval of training | Monday 10th June 2024 |
| Three-monthly formative appraisal (period ending Sunday 3rd November) | Sunday 1st December 2024 |
| Six-monthly summative assessment (period ending Sunday 2nd February) | Sunday 16th March 2025 |
Submit a formative appraisal or summative assessment
To initiate a formative appraisal or summative assessment cycle, you must complete the relevant form and submit it to your training supervisor via My.RANZCOG.
Resources
Please visit our Training and Assessments page for more information on submitting your formative appraisals and summative assessments, including resources for trainees and supervisors.
Submission process
The process for submission and evaluation of formative appraisals and summative assessments is similar.
Trainee initiates and submits appraisal/assessment
Supervisor completes appraisal/assessment*
Trainee and supervisor discuss appraisal/assessment
Supervisor submits appraisal/assessment
Trainee reviews and submits appraisal/assessment
State/NZ office reviews appraisal/assessment and escalates to the Chair
State/NZ Chair reviews appraisal/assessment and approves accordingly
*Please note that for a summative assessment, your supervisor also creates and distributes consultant feedback forms prior to completing the assessment
Academic stream
The academic stream of the FRANZCOG training program recognises and supports careers in academic O&G, by allowing you to take up to three years (156 weeks) of continuous research leave to complete a PhD in a discipline relevant to women’s health.
Following completion of a PhD, you may be credited with 46 weeks (one year) of Advanced Training, and you will be deemed to have met the research requirement of the FRANZCOG training program.
Please follow the link below to our Training and Assessments page to learn more about the research requirement, and the Advanced Training Module (ATM) requirement for the academic stream.
More information can also be found in the RANZCOG Regulations (see Section B1.20 Research Training and Academic Stream).
How to apply
If you commenced training after 1 December 2013, you may apply to enter the academic stream at any time. Please contact your Regional Training Accreditation Committee (TAC) and include details of your PhD, including its relevance to women’s health.
Part-time training
The FRANZCOG training program can be undertaken on a part-time basis, subject to approval from your employing hospital and local RANZCOG Training Accreditation Committee.
Any part-time training must:
not be less than half of the full-time equivalent (0.5 FTE)
provide the same breadth of experience, teaching and supervision compared to full-time training
result in the same standard of knowledge and competence compared to full-time training
To be eligible for FRANZCOG certification, you must complete six years (276 weeks) of training, regardless of the training mode.
More information can be found in the RANZCOG Regulations (see Sections B1.10 and C1.10 on Fractional/Part-time Training).
Taking leave
Professional development leave
During each training year, you’re entitled to take two weeks (10 days) of professional development leave (which is recognised as active clinical services professional development.
To document your professional development leave, please visit Additional Requirements via My.RANZCOG.
Extended leave
Across the course of your FRANZCOG training, you’re entitled to take extended leave, as follows:
a maximum of 104 weeks (two years) — taken consecutively (as two separately approved periods of 52 weeks)
a maximum of 156 weeks — taken cumulatively
To apply for extended leave, you must have completed at least 10 weeks of satisfactorily assessed training.
Please note that you must also apply for extended leave* if you do not expect to:
complete at least 10 weeks of training during a six-month training semester
occupy a prospectively approved training position for any duration during a six-month training semester
*Unless you’re taking a period of prospectively approved research leave — please see Introduction > Academic pathway above.
All extended leave must be prospectively approved by your local Training Accreditation Committee, and taken with the knowledge and agreement of your training supervisor.
Training post transfers
Trainees must apply for prospective approval of a training post transfer prior to relocation.
As part of your application for prospective approval of training, you must:
discuss the proposed transfer with your training supervisor (and ITP Coordinator, if undertaking Basic Training) at least 8–10 weeks in advance
obtain written approval from the Chairs of both relevant Training Accreditation Committees
The College does not accept retrospective applications from trainees who have already relocated to another state, region or country.
Please follow the link below for more information on the approval process for transfers between States and regions.
Training in resource-limited settings
The College recognises that training posts in countries with limited medical services can provide valuable and rewarding experiences for trainees, as well as the participating communities and health services.
Some examples of countries that may be considered resource-limited settings include Papua New Guinea, Fiji and India.
As with any training post, you must apply for prospective approval of training in a resource-limited setting. The College considers applications on a case-by-case basis for training periods of up to 12 months.
To be considered for training in a resource-limited setting, you must:
have satisfactorily completed Years 1 and 2 of FRANZCOG training
complete the standard prospective approval form
provide additional information about the position description, learning outcomes, rosters, theatre lists and supervision
If your proposed training post is deemed suitable, you may be able to substitute training in a resource-limited setting for the rural rotation in your Basic Training program.
Please follow the link below for more information:
Progressing to Advanced Training
As you may be aware, leniency was offered during the COVID-19 pandemic, largely due to the limited opportunity for trainees to complete APSS and sit oral examinations. As the impact of COVID-19 subsides, the Federal Training Accreditation Committee (TAC) has reviewed the conditions for progressing from Basic to Advanced Training with outstanding Basic Training requirements, and the below conditions now apply.
General requirements
Trainees must have:
completed 184 weeks of Basic Training
passed both written and oral examinations
completed all training requirements (including APSS) due by weeks 52, 104 and 156 (BTIT) and more than 50% of APSS due at 208 weeks BTIT
APSS requirements
Trainees may apply for special consideration to request progression to Advanced Training, outlining their plan to complete the outstanding requirement(s)
If an APSS is not completed during the first six months of Advanced Training, Advanced Training Time for that first six-month period will NOT be credited
The 6MA outcome could be satisfactory if all other criteria are met (e.g. satisfactory consultant assessment, etc.)
If an APSS is completed, the whole six months will be credited as Advanced Training if the 6MA outcome is satisfactory
Please ensure your training supervisor/ITP coordinator is aware if you are having issues completing your APSS within the first six months of Advanced Training — they may be able to offer advice and additional opportunities to complete the requirements to avoid losing credit for Advanced Training Time.
Examination requirements
Trainees cannot progress to Advanced Training with outstanding written and/or oral examination requirements
Extended Leave or Basic Training PA must be submitted if all other Basic Training requirements have been completed
Submission of an Extended Leave PA is preferred, as submission of 3MA/6MA is not required and a reduction in training fees may apply
An Advanced PA may be submitted once the oral examination has been attempted and Advanced Training Time will be credited from the date of successful completion of the examination
If the oral examination is not successfully completed, the Advanced PA will be rejected and the Extended Leave or Basic Training PA will remain active
Elevation to Fellowship
A trainee is eligible to apply for Fellowship once all of the following requirements have been satisfactorily completed:
at least 184 weeks of credited Basic Training
at least 66 weeks of credited Advanced Training
all assessment requirements (with the exception of ATMs)
Please note that the onus is on the trainee to contact the College to apply for Fellowship.
Application workflow and timeline
| Activity | Detail |
|---|---|
| Trainee contacts RANZCOG Specialty Programs team | Trainee requests application information and will be sent an application form to complete summarising their training history and confirming that all training requirements have been met. It is recommended that ample time prior to the deadline be allowed for completion of the form. Applications are only prepared if ALL requirements have been met (with the exception of ATMs). |
| Deadline for requesting applications | • 1 February • 1 June • 1 October |
| Deadline for submitting applications | • 8 February • 8 June • 8 October |
| Application is sent to trainee for verification | A confirmed application form and Elevation to Fellowship Declaration is sent to trainee. Trainees are asked to confirm that all details on application form are correct, or if corrections are required, a revised form prepared and returned to the trainee for signing. Elevation to Fellowship date agreed and confirmed by trainee. |
| Application ratification by TAC and consideration by Board | The confirmed application is reviewed and endorsed by the RANZCOG TAC and then sent to the RANZCOG Board recommending elevation to Fellowship. |
| APPLICATION APPROVED | Upon confirmation of Board approval of the recommendation, the trainee will be advised by letter of the outcome and next steps. Please note that eligibility to apply for Fellowship and Board approval do not equate to elevation (see section below) |
After approval
Following application approval, the trainee is required to:
satisfactorily complete 276 weeks (72 months) of training (if applicable) including approval of the final Six-Monthly Summative Assessment by the relevant State/Territory/NZ TAC chair
Arrange final sign-off of Certificate of Satisfactory Completion of Training (CSCT) by the relevant State/Territory/New Zealand office:
Trainees with paper records — submission all paper logbooks completed prior to introduction of My.RANZCOG in 2016, Training Assessment Record (TAR), or
Trainees without paper records — contact the relevant State/Territory/NZ office to arrange chair review of online training documentation.
Sign RANZCOG post-Board Fellowship declaration.
Pay elevation to Fellowship fee (as invoiced by RANZCOG Finance Department upon confirmation of Board approved elevation).
Complete mandatory Six-Monthly Trainee Feedback Survey.
Complete mandatory Trainee Exit Survey.
Please note that applicants for elevation to Fellowship must complete all administrative requirements within six months of the Fellowship elevation date, or the date of the Board meeting at which their application for elevation to Fellowship is approved, whichever is the latter.
Otherwise, the offer of Fellowship will lapse and an additional application will need to be made. More information can be found in the RANZCOG Regulations (see Sections B11.2 and C11.2).
Upon completion of all outstanding requirements
Trainees will be sent the FRANZCOG certificate upon satisfactory completion of all outstanding requirements. Certificates cannot be sent prior to the Board-approved Fellowship date.
Medicare (Australian Fellows) and the Medical Council of New Zealand (New Zealand Fellows) are notified of the trainee’s elevation date to Fellowship.
For Australian trainees, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) is notified of the trainee’s elevation date to Fellowship.
Frequently asked questions
Fees
All training and examination fees are payable in Australian dollars (AUD), and are not subject to Australian GST.
Training administration and resources
The College provides access to a range of training and administration resources to help support s — click the links below to learn more.
Trainee email account
The College provides all trainees with an Outlook email address via Office 365, including:
50GB of storage
25MB limit per email
access through any internet browser on any platform
Please note that the College will use this address for all email correspondence throughout the duration of your FRANZCOG training.
To set up your email account, please click ‘Login’, or go to: https://outlook.office365.com
Please follow the links below for more information:
My.RANZCOG
The College uses the My.RANZCOG portal to record and process your training and assessment requirements, including:
prospective approval of training
three-monthly formative appraisals
six-monthly summative assessments (including consultant feedback)
progress summaries for:
training time
training requirements
logbook procedures
leave from training
professional development
examination performance
To access My.RANZCOG, please click ‘Login’, or go to:
https://my.ranzcog.edu.au
Acquire
In 2022, the College introduced Acquire — an eLearning platform designed to support trainees, members and other medical professionals undertaking RANZCOG training and development activities.
To access Acquire, please click ‘Login’, or go to:
https://acquire.ranzcog.edu.au
For support queries, please contact: elearningsupport@ranzcog.edu.au
Supporting trainees in difficulty
The College provides a range of resources to identify, support and manage trainees who may be experiencing training difficulties.
These resources have been designed for trainees, as well as those involved in training, including supervisors, coordinators, mentors, consultants, senior registrars, training committee members, hospital management staff, and other medical professionals.
Please click to expand the sections below for more information and resources.
Training support plan
A training support plan aims to:
assist trainees who are returning from an extended period of leave
address development and learning opportunities identified by a three-monthly formative appraisal or six-monthly summative assessment
support trainees with examination failure
Trainees can complete and upload a training support plan to My.RANZCOG (attached to a six-monthly summative assessment).
Please click the links below for more information:
Multi-source feedback
Multi-source feedback is an effective way of assessing trainee performance based on feedback from relevant team members.
Please click the link below for more information:
The College has developed an online multi-source feedback tool that can be used by training supervisors as part of a remedial strategy to support trainees who are experiencing training difficulties.
To request access to multi-source feedback, please contact: training@ranzcog.edu.au
Evidence-informed facilitated feedback
This feedback model aims to support training supervisors to:
build rapport and relationships
provide and receive constructive feedback
explore trainee understanding of feedback
coach for performance change
The College has developed a feedback guide for conducting formative appraisals and summative assessments.
Training committees
Please explore the links below to learn more about the committees with oversight and responsibilities relating to the FRANZCOG training program.
For more information on the RANZCOG Council and Committees, you can also visit our Governance page.
Education Standards Committee
The Education Standards Committee (ESC) is responsible for:
overseeing development and implementation of educational standards across all RANZCOG education, training, assessment and accreditation
all RANZCOG training programs, including regular monitoring and evaluation
making decisions in relation to the above, as delegated by the RANZCOG Board
Training Accreditation Committee
The Training Accreditation Committee (TAC) reports to the Education Standards Committee and is responsible for:
development, coordination and administration of the FRANZCOG training program in cooperation with local TACs in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand
reviewing processes for accreditation and reaccreditation of training sites
working closely with the Examination and Assessment Committee on training, assessment and certification issues of mutual concern (where appropriate)
Local Training Accreditation Committees
Local State, Territory and New Zealand TACs are responsible for oversight of basic and advanced FRANZCOG training in each region, including:
monitoring and reviewing trainees
reviewing six-monthly summative assessments evaluated as other than satisfactory
approving appointment of Integrated Training Program (ITP) coordinators and training supervisors
The Chair of each local TAC is also responsible for reviewing and approving:
prospective approval of training forms
three-monthly formative appraisals
six-monthly summative assessments
extensions to training requirements for six months or less
Extensions of more than six months must be referred to the College TAC for consideration.
Examination and Assessment Committee
The Examination and Assessment Committee is responsible for ensuring, maintaining, and enhancing the integrity, validity and reliability of the individual and collective education and assessment components and associated processes pertaining to training programs run and administered by RANZCOG.
Policies and procedures
The below policies are relevant to the FRANZCOG training program and may be of interest.
More information on examinations can also be found in the RANZCOG Regulations (sections B and C on the FRANZCOG Training Program).
FRANZCOG POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
FRANZCOG POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination Policy
Appeals Procedures
Exceptional Circumstances and Special Consideration Policy
Policy on Mentoring of Trainees in the FRANZCOG Training Program
Trainee in Difficulty Policy
Conflict of Interest Policy
Contact
As a starting point, please contact your local RANZCOG office for enquiries about your FRANZCOG training.
Other useful contacts include:
General training enquiries: training@ranzcog.edu.au
Assessment services: assessment@ranzcog.edu.au
eLearning: elearning@ranzcog.edu.au