08/05/2026
At the Congress, we shared our early design thinking and prototype plans for the 2030 New Fellowship Program. These directions are intentionally exploratory and consultation will continue.
Some of the areas we’re exploring include:
1) Maintaining public standards through assessment design:
We are proposing the return of a mid‑Fellowship external clinical examination to ensure robust, publicly defensible standards for Fellowship. This would sit within a broader assessment program that supports assessment of learning and for learning.
2) Supporting trainees over time:
The introduction of a longitudinal educational coach is intended to strengthen wellbeing, continuity, and the overall training experience. This would be in addition to the traditional Term clinical supervisors.
3) Preparing psychiatrists for the future:
We are developing capability strands to ensure trainees are equipped for the evolving world of practice, aligned with the essential attributes of the of the future. These include leadership, cultural safety and AI literacy, with transformational learning supported through a reflective portfolio.
4) Mandatory experiences:
A shift towards mandatory experiences, rather than mandatory terms, aims to reduce bottlenecks to progression, grow the , and raise standards across critical areas aligned with changing population needs.
5) A phased, flexible Fellowship journey:
A five‑year, phased hybrid CBME structure with a strong focus on transition including exam free first and final years is proposed to allow trainees to build solid foundations and tailor training as their interests and capabilities develop. This includes supporting end‑to‑end rural training, expanding private sector placements, and addressing workforce maldistribution.
These are the directions set to date. We are keen to engage Fellows, trainees, and wider stakeholders to continue shaping and strengthening these design plans together.
Please do reach out to continue the dialogue as we work towards preparing psychiatrists for the future for and with Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.
📧newfellowshipprogram@ranzcp.org