ANZCA Council meeting update August - September 2026

Overview

In August, council welcomed Education Development and Evaluation Committee Chair Associate Professor Lia Freestone who presented on the ANZCA graduate and program outcomes and consultation plan. In September Dr Mick Jones, Chair Examinations provided an update on current examinations priorities and emerging risks.

September Council also welcomed New Zealand National Committee Chair, Dr Rachel Dempsey who discussed issues affecting the New Zealand anaesthesia workforce, and the ANZCA Trainee Committee Co-chairs Dr Alex Drucker and Dr Sarah Dwyer who gave an update on the work of that committee and trainee issues. Reports were also received from Dr Vida Viliunas, President, Australian Society of Anaesthetists and from Dr Jonathan Panckhurst, President, New Zealand Society of Anaesthetists.

Corporate services and governance

People, renumeration and culture committee

Council approved an amendment to Regulation 2, Committees of the Council to incorporate the establishment of the newly formed People, Remuneration and Culture Committee whose purpose is to strengthen council’s governance oversight of organisational culture, remuneration, workplace health and safety, workforce capability and people-related risk. Council also approved the committee’s terms of reference.

2027 budget

Council considered and endorsed assumptions for the preparation of the 2027 budget. The 2027 budget will be presented to council in November 2026 for approval.

Information, technology and security (ITS)

Establishment of Data and AI Subcommittee

Terms of reference of the newly established Data and AI Subcommittee reporting to the Information and Communications Technology Governance Committee chaired by Associate Professor Stu Marshall were approved. The Data and AI Committee will hold its first meeting during the fourth quarter, 2026.

ITS policies

ANZCA ITS policies relating to Artificial Intelligence and Governance, Information Security and Acceptable Use of ICT Resources were approved. The review cycle of these policies has been reduced from three years to two years in recognition of the rapidly changing environment.

Fellowship affairs

International framework

Council noted the first-discussion draft international framework intended to provide a clearer and more deliberate approach to ANZCA’s international relationships and activities. The framework intends to improve visibility, continuity and institutional oversight of international work involving ANZCA’s name, standards, resources and relationships. Council will consider further development of the framework following consultation with relevant college stakeholders.

Fellowship engagement framework

Council approved the Fellowship Engagement Framework developed to sustain the substantial contribution made by fellows, trainees and specialist international medical graduates to education, training, examinations, governance, research and professional activities. The framework will be informed by the 2026 fellow volunteer hours survey, and the college’s diversity, equity and inclusion work, its associate membership work, the governance review and the college’s customer relationship management (CRM) and member-portal capability. A time-limited working group, reporting through the Professional Affairs Executive Committee, chaired by Dr Sarah Nicolson, to support its implementation will be established.

Education

Chapter of Perioperative Medicine Framework

Council considered and provided feedback on a proposed strategic direction and phased development approach for perioperative medicine, including detailed financial modelling and gateway metrics. A full business case will be presented to council in December 2026.

Professional documents

PS60: Healthcare professionals who are not medical practitioners

Council approved the new ANZCA professional document PS60: Statement on the role of healthcare professionals who are not medical practitioners undertaking roles related to anaesthesia, pain and perioperative medicine and accompanying background paper (PS60BP) for circulation to targeted stakeholders for a second round of consultation, with a particular focus on nursing stakeholder groups.

PG21: Central venous access device mechanical safety

Council approved new ANZCA professional document PG21: Guideline on safe practices for central venous access device insertion, maintenance and removal and accompanying background paper (PG21BP) for the remainder of the four-month pilot period.

Dr Tanya Selak

ANZCA President