FRANZCOG Training Requirements

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

Please note that part-time training is based on your contracted hours. Overtime and on-call hours do not constitute additional FTE.

More information can be found in the RANZCOG Regulations (see Sections B1.10 and C1.10 on Fractional/Part-time Training).

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.

For further information, refer to the Guidelines for Training in Resource-Limited Settings in Integrate.

Prospective approval of 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

Apply

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

All extended leave must be prospectively approved by your local Training Accreditation Committee, and taken with the knowledge and agreement of your training supervisor.

Prospective Approval of research leave (academic stream)

Trainees enrolled in the Academic Stream can apply for a maximum period of 156 weeks (three (3) years) FTE ‘Research Leave’ from the FRANZCOG Training Program (which is in addition to the extended leave allowance) to complete a PhD and attain a 46-week (1 year) reduction in Advanced Training.

You must submit a prospective approval (PA) detailing your intention to take research leave. The maximum time of Research leave that can be taken is 156 weeks (3 years). The period can be taken in one block or be broken down into smaller periods, with a minimum of 1 Semester taken at a time.

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.

In addition to the 3-monthly formative appraisal and Mini-MSF, you must* complete 3 Mini-CEX per 26 weeks (FTE) of BTIT.

The Mini-CEX is a short observation of an aspect of a trainee’s clinical practice by a consultant or advanced trainee, with performance ratings in seven categories, followed by interactive, meaningful, and actionable feedback.

Each Mini-CEX should take under 20 minutes (including approximately five minutes of feedback).

The observations may take place in various settings, including clinics, in-patients, emergency departments, labour and delivery rooms, or operating theatres, and variety is preferred. The focus of each interaction may be history-taking, physical examination, diagnosis, and management or counselling.

*Trainees from 2024 onwards. For trainees who commenced before 2024, please refer to your requirement summary in My.RANZCOG.

Throughout your training your six-monthly summative assessments may be referred to your local Training and Accreditation Committee (TAC) for review.

In this case you will be required to provide a learning developed plan (LDP) generated in collaboration with your Training Supervisor. A learning development plan aims to assist training supervisors and trainees to effectively manage areas of performance which are causing concern.

RANZCOG acknowledges this can be a difficult process, and additional support can be sought through the training team, or confidential discussion with the Training Support Unit (TSU) Trainee Liaison.

Useful links

• Trainee Support
• Trainee Wellbeing

Overview

Effective from February 2022, under this model you must complete a minimum of three points of approved research study activity by the end of 52 weeks (FTE) of Advanced Time in Training (ATIT).

Trainees are strongly encouraged to discuss with their training supervisor how they plan to carry out their research activities during their time in training – the Planned Research Activity Form can be used to facilitate this discussion.

While not mandatory, it is suggested that trainees complete the discussion and have the form signed by their training supervisor no later than the end of 104 FTE weeks of time in training in the FRANZCOG Basic Training Program.

A copy can be uploaded to My.RANZCOG (Submission of Research > Points based research study > select ‘Planned research activity form’).

Approved activities

Please review the full list of approved research activities, including the associated points allocation for each.

Completed research activities must be uploaded to My.RANZCOG (Additional Requirements > Points-based research study), along with required supporting documentation, as per the Points-Based Research Study –  Approved Research Activities.

Trainees should select the activity they have completed from the Research Activity dropdown box. Each activity must be uploaded as a separate submission, to ensure correct allocation of points.

Assessors

Assessments may be conducted by your training supervisor or an appropriate consultant (or by a FRANZCOG advanced trainee for assessments due at or before the end of Year 2).

Formative assessment

To maximise your exposure to consultant feedback, the College strongly encourages you to complete at least three formative assessments per skill before attempting a summative assessment.

Summative assessment

The College recommends that you attempt a summative assessment when you feel confident in being able to perform the skill with minimal input from your assessor. Please note that you must use a separate form for each attempt.

Submission

Please submit your signed summative assessment forms via My.RANZCOG.

Information for trainees who commenced from 2025.

Please refer to your “FRANZCOG requirement summary” page on My.RANZCOG for due dates specific to your commencement date.

*Please note assessment of these APSS require a specific form. Please use the correct form for each APSS.