The College of Intensive Care Medicine is the body responsible for intensive care medicine specialist training and education in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. The College offers a minimum six-year training program, in both general and paediatric intensive care culminating in Fellowship of the College of Intensive Care Medicine (FCICM). 

The application process is extensive and prospective trainees must be organised to ensure all documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. The Trainee Selection Panel meet twice a year to assess applications however, incomplete applications will not be forwarded to the Selection Panel.  

• Possess a primary medical degree and have successfully completed a 12-month internship (Post Graduate Year 1).
• Meet any residency or visa requirements enabling employment at any hospital for which they are applying.
• Have full general registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) or Medical Council of New Zealand respectively.
• For applicants from jurisdictions other than Australia and New Zealand, full registration with the local medical authority is generally required.
• Have completed six months of experience or Foundation Training in an ICU accredited for training by the College.  This training must have taken place within the last three years at the time of application for selection.

The Specialist International Medical Graduate (SIMG) pathway is for medical practitioners who have satisfied all the training and examination requirements in their field of specialty in another country.

The Intensive Care Specialist is a six-year training program. The training programs are a minimum of six years and each trainee’s requirements will vary depending on prior experience and qualifications.

General Intensive Care Training Program:

• Phase 1 (6 months – training period before passing the First Part Exam) 
• Phase 2 (24 months - period where the core ICU time is completed, following passing the Primary Exam) 
• Phase 3 (12 months – transition year)
• Other required training time:
  • Clinical Anaesthesia (12 months)
  • Clinical Medicine (12 months)
  • Elective (6 months)
  • Rural exposure (any discipline) (6 months)
  • Paediatric Exposure (3-6 months)

Paediatric Intensive Care Training Program:

• Phase 1 (6 months – training period before passing the First Part Exam) 
• Phase 2 (24 months - period where the core ICU time is completed, following passing the Primary Exam) 
• Phase 3 (12 months – transition year)
• Other required training time:
  • Clinical Anaesthesia (12 months - this can be undertaken in paediatrics or general)
  • Clinical Paediatric Medicine (12 months)
  • Elective (6 months)
  • Rural exposure (any discipline) (6 months)