QARTS interviews 2026
The Queensland Anaesthetic Rotational Training Scheme (QARTS) interviews for the 2026 hospital year ran from Monday, 28 July to Friday, 1 August at ANZCA Queensland — and let’s just say, it was one heck of a week! Picture a high-stakes talent show where the judges are anaesthetists, the contestants have stethoscopes, and the prize is a year of hospital rotations.
A massive standing ovation to everyone who made this event a roaring success. Special applause goes to Kym Buckly (ACT Regional Coordinator), Cathy O’Brien (Vic Regional Coordinator), the ANZCA Queensland crew, regional staff across departments, and our incredible QARTS Interview Coordinators and Interviewers (ANZCA Fellows) who gave up their precious time. Your dedication, enthusiasm, and professionalism were the magic ingredients — without you, we’d just be a bunch of people staring at empty Zoom screens.
This year threw us a curveball when a key staff departure landed right before interview week. But instead of panicking (well, much), the team rallied like a Formula 1 pit crew — quick, coordinated, and with only minimal coffee spillage. Colleagues from across regions jumped in, proving once again that teamwork really is the anaesthetic to chaos.
For those unfamiliar with the process - since 2020, QARTS interviews have been running virtually — a pandemic silver lining that’s stuck. It means more accessibility for rural and regional candidates, less disruption to already jam-packed hospital rosters, and zero risk of someone forgetting where the meeting room is.
The numbers? Out of 400+ applications, 150 made the shortlist, 50 will soon pop champagne (or something fizzy and caffeine-free), and the rest will join our “reserve pool” — ready to leap in if opportunity knocks.
Huge congratulations to everyone — whether you were interviewing, supporting, or orchestrating behind the scenes. You’ve once again delivered a smooth, professional, and slightly caffeine-fueled week that shapes the future of anaesthesia in Queensland.
Primary exam refresher course
The first primary exam refresher course has kicked off for 2025 from Monday 2 June to Friday 6 June at the Queensland Regional Office, garnering a total of 36 candidates. Led by the ever-passionate course convenor Dr Anthony Hade, the delegates went through extensive learning with daily SAQ “bootcamp” exams, engaging lectures and a mock SAQ to end the long week. Dr Hade has continued to bring his own teaching style and entertainment to running this course. Highlights of the week for trainees included: Dr Hade’s short-answer question (SAQ) bootcamp, interactive “Sale of the Price is Fortune” game, a game show style learning experience which included coffee vouchers, chocolates, and books; the grand finale; and a mock SAQ exam. Following this was a celebration “after-party” at Good Good Café, while trainees celebrated all SAQs were sent to be scanned and forwarded to our phenomenal mock examiners for marking.
A huge thank you to our convenor, Dr Anthony Hade; 21 presenters; and 12 mock SAQ examiners who gave up their valuable time to come and support the course.
Final exam refresher course
The final exam refresher course wrapped up for the year with 28 trainees in attendance lead by Dr John Jones (convenor) from Monday 14 July to Friday 18 July at the Queensland Regional Office. The trainees in attendance had an extremely long and eventful week filled with insightful and engaging lectures, daily SAQ practices and a mock SAQ at the end.
The topics presented during this weeklong course would not be possible without the support of our 16 presenters who dedicated their time and effort to making this possible including our convenor. We are truly grateful for their time and passion in assisting our trainees with their exam preparations.
Upcoming courses and events
Upcoming courses
Queensland primary lecture program series 2
ANZCA Educators Program: Brisbane
Queensland virtual primary viva practice 2025.2
Queensland primary practice viva 2025.2
Queensland primary viva weekend course
Queensland final practice viva 2025.2
Queensland final virtual viva practice 2025.2
Queensland primary exam refresher course
Upcoming CME event
Queensland ACE October evening meeting
Save the date (tentative)
Queensland FPM CME - 30 June 2025
Queensland FPM CME - 24 November 2025
Qld directory
West End Corporate Park, River Tower, 20 Pidgeon Close, West End QLD 4101
+61 7 3846 1233
The Queensland Regional Committee is an elected body that acts as a conduit between fellows and trainees in the Queensland region and the ANZCA Council to which they report.
The Queensland Trainee Committee is an elected body that acts as a conduit between fellows and trainees in the Queensland region and the ANZCA Council to which they report.
The FPM QRC is an elected body that acts as a conduit between fellows and trainees in the Queensland region, and the FPM Board to which they report.