Key facts
| Awarding body | Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) |
|---|---|
| Exam format | 150 MCQs in 150 minutes; 15 SAQs in 150 minutes; two 15-minute medical vivas; eight 15-minute anaesthesia vivas |
| 2026.2 dates | The 2026.2 written exam was held 11 August 2026; vivas are scheduled for 5–7 November 2026 in Brisbane, with results on 12 November |
| Next full sitting | The 2027.1 written exam is 16 March 2027; vivas are 3–5 June in Melbourne; results are 10 June |
| 2027.1 deadlines | 2027.1 applications close 14 January 2027; special-consideration applications close 17 December 2026 |
| Eligibility | Standard trainee eligibility includes completed introductory and basic training, 26 weeks FTE approved advanced training, 88 weeks FTE clinical anaesthesia time, recent clinical or other clinical time, and fees paid |
| Pass criteria | At least 40% in both written papers is required for viva progression; a final pass requires 50% overall plus the required section and anaesthesia-viva passes |
| 2026 fee | The listed 2026 examination fee was A$7,330 in Australia and NZ$9,195 in New Zealand |
| Attempt limit | Five attempts are allowed for most trainees; the transitional limit is seven for trainees who commenced advanced training before the 2018 hospital employment year |
What the ANZCA Final assesses
The ANZCA Final Examination is the final formal assessment of competence and knowledge in the ANZCA anaesthesia training program. It tests whether you can integrate knowledge, judgement and practical skills in realistic anaesthetic scenarios. Strong answers show prioritisation, decision-making and clear reasoning, not recall alone.
The standard trainee pathway and the specialist international medical graduate (SIMG) pathway differ in eligibility and assessment. The details below distinguish them where needed.
ANZCA Final format and sections
The examination has four sections, delivered in written and viva parts. The multiple-choice question (MCQ) and short-answer question (SAQ) papers are held on the same day.
| Section | Format | Duration | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCQ | 150 questions | 150 minutes | 20% |
| SAQ | 15 questions | 150 minutes | 20% |
| Medical vivas | 2 vivas | 15 minutes each | 12% total |
| Anaesthesia vivas | 8 vivas | 15 minutes each | 48% total |
Since the 2026.1 sitting, all candidates attend vivas over three days: four anaesthesia vivas on Thursday, four more on Friday, and the two medical vivas on Saturday. The anaesthesia vivas make up nearly half the total weighting, so written strength alone cannot carry the examination.
ANZCA Final dates, deadlines and fees
ANZCA holds two Final Examination sittings each year. The 2026.2 written exam took place on 11 August; its vivas and results are still ahead. The published schedule is:
| Sitting | Special-consideration deadline | Application closes | Written exam | Vivas | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026.2 | 25 May 2026 | 22 June 2026 | 11 August 2026 | 5–7 November 2026, Brisbane | 12 November 2026 |
| 2027.1 | 17 December 2026 | 14 January 2027 | 16 March 2027 | 3–5 June 2027, Melbourne | 10 June 2027 |
| 2027.2 | 25 May 2027 | 22 June 2027 | 17 August 2027 | 4–6 November 2027, Brisbane | 11 November 2027 |
The withdrawal deadlines for the 2027.1 and 2027.2 sittings are 1 March and 2 August 2027, respectively. Written venues listed for both 2027 sittings are Adelaide, Auckland, Brisbane, Cairns, Canberra, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth, Sydney, Townsville and Wellington. The 2026 examination fee was A$7,330 in Australia and NZ$9,195 in New Zealand.
ANZCA Final eligibility requirements
For the standard trainee pathway, you must have:
- Completed introductory and basic training.
- Completed at least 26 weeks full-time equivalent (FTE) of approved advanced training.
- Completed at least 88 weeks FTE of clinical anaesthesia time in approved vocational training.
- Been in clinical anaesthesia time or other clinical time within the 52 weeks before the examination.
- Paid outstanding training fees and the final exam application fee in full.
If you are in interrupted training, the handbook states that you remain eligible only if you have been in approved vocational training within the 52 weeks before the written exam; an interruption longer than 52 weeks makes you ineligible. Candidates who commenced advanced training before the 2018 hospital employment year may make up to seven attempts; the limit for other trainees is five.
SIMG candidates required to sit the Final Examination do not sit the written papers. They need a satisfactory clinical practice assessment (CPA) report covering at least three months, with the most recent satisfactory report within 12 months of the exam, and must pay outstanding College fees and the application fee. SIMG pass requirements are a pass in the anaesthesia viva section, at least 30 marks overall, at least four anaesthesia vivas scored at 5/10 or more, and no three anaesthesia vivas scored at 3/10 or less.
ANZCA Final syllabus and viva domains
Use the ANZCA curriculum’s Final Examination (FEx)-marked learning outcomes as your syllabus map. These span the roles in practice, the clinical fundamentals across core units and all specialised study units; the examinable scope is broad, not a short list of favourite topics.
Clinical fundamentals and specialist contexts
Review general anaesthesia and sedation, airway management, regional and local anaesthesia, perioperative medicine, pain medicine, resuscitation and crisis management, and safety and quality. The specialised study units extend into settings such as cardiac, obstetric, paediatric, neuro, thoracic, orthopaedic and vascular anaesthesia, as well as intensive care and other surgical specialties.
What the vivas test
Medical vivas assess how you take relevant history and examination findings, form a diagnosis, judge disease severity, interpret investigations, explain pathophysiology and plan perioperative optimisation. At least one medical viva is based on a cardiovascular or respiratory condition. Anaesthesia vivas assess clinical judgement, safe practice, prioritisation, interpretation of complex situations, decisions as circumstances change, anticipation of consequences and effective communication.
ANZCA Final pass mark and results
The written threshold is a progression gate: you need at least 40% in both the MCQ and SAQ papers to be invited to the vivas. That is not the final pass standard.
To pass the examination, you need at least 50% overall, a pass in the anaesthesia viva section and a pass in at least one other section. You must score 5/10 or more in at least four of the eight anaesthesia vivas; scoring 3/10 or less in three or more anaesthesia vivas is a fail. ANZCA publishes a result date for each sitting in its exam schedule.
How to prepare for the ANZCA Final
ANZCA advises beginning preparation at least 12 months before your intended sitting. Start by mapping your strengths and gaps against the FEx curriculum outcomes, then build a steady cycle of topic review, timed written practice and spoken clinical reasoning. The ANZCA Final preparation blueprint offers a separate study-plan resource.
- Months 12–4: Work through the FEx-marked curriculum outcomes. Keep a record of weak areas and revisit them at intervals; use the ANZCA Final Examination reports to understand the scope and demands of past sittings.
- Weeks 12–9: Shift toward timed practice. Write SAQ answers to a clock and practise concise explanations of your clinical priorities.
- Weeks 8–5: Complete timed MCQ sets and regular SAQ practice. For each answer, state the problem, immediate risks, plan and what would change your approach.
- Weeks 4–2: Rehearse full-length written sessions: 150 MCQs in 150 minutes and 15 SAQs in 150 minutes. Practise 15-minute viva cases with a colleague, including medical cases requiring investigation interpretation and perioperative optimisation.
- Final week: Keep answers concise and safe. In viva practice, ask your partner to change the scenario so you must reassess and explain your decisions.
The published pass rules make viva preparation essential: an overall mark cannot compensate for missing the anaesthesia-viva requirements. ANZCA also lists final refresher and viva preparation courses.
More preparation advice: Excelling in the Final ANZCA Exam: Your Comprehensive Preparation Blueprint
Question-bank and viva practice for the ANZCA Final
The Final/Advanced anesthesia MCQ/MTF product has 1,281 questions across anaesthesia subspecialties, critical care, pain management and regional anaesthesia. It includes MCQ, MTF, single-best-answer and multiple-best-answer formats. ANZCA describes its written paper as MCQs, so use this bank for broad question practice rather than as an exact replica of the ANZCA paper.
The Final/Advanced anesthesia Short Answer Questions (SAQ) product contains 1,135 SAQs across anaesthesia subspecialties, critical care, regional anaesthesia and pain management. For oral rehearsal, the Final/Advanced Anesthesia Structured Oral Examination (SOE) product contains 229 structured oral questions in clinical anaesthesia and pain management. These products support practice in their listed formats; they do not claim complete coverage of every ANZCA curriculum outcome. The products are monthly subscriptions, and new accounts receive a three-day free trial after email verification.
- Final/Advanced anesthesia MCQ/MTF 1,281 questions
- Final/Advanced anesthesia Short Answer Questions (SAQ) 1,135 questions
- Final/Advanced Anesthesia Structured Oral Examination (SOE) 229 questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the next ANZCA Final exam?
The next scheduled component is the 2026.2 viva examination, on 5–7 November 2026 in Brisbane; the written exam was held on 11 August. The next full written sitting is 16 March 2027, with vivas on 3–5 June 2027 in Melbourne.
What is the format of the ANZCA Final?
The examination has 150 multiple-choice questions in 150 minutes, 15 short-answer questions in 150 minutes, two 15-minute medical vivas and eight 15-minute anaesthesia vivas. The written papers are held on the same day; the vivas take place later.
What is the pass mark for the ANZCA Final?
To be invited to the vivas, you need at least 40% in both written papers. To pass overall, you need at least 50% overall, a pass in the anaesthesia viva section and a pass in at least one other section. You must also score 5/10 or more in at least four of the eight anaesthesia vivas; scoring 3/10 or less in three or more anaesthesia vivas is a fail.
Who is eligible to sit the ANZCA Final?
The standard trainee pathway requires completed introductory and basic training, at least 26 weeks FTE of approved advanced training, at least 88 weeks FTE of clinical anaesthesia time, recent clinical or other clinical time within the preceding 52 weeks, and payment of outstanding fees and the exam application fee. ANZCA also sets separate requirements for specialist international medical graduates.
Where can I find ANZCA Final exam reports and preparation courses?
ANZCA provides past Final Examination reports through its exam resources and trainee toolkit. The College also lists final refresher, medical refresher, anatomy and viva preparation courses.
How should I practise for the ANZCA Final viva?
Rehearse timed cases aloud with a colleague, then ask them to change the clinical details so you practise adapting your priorities and plan. Include medical cases involving investigation interpretation and perioperative optimisation, and focus on safe practice, clinical judgement and clear communication.
Do specialist international medical graduates sit the written papers?
SIMG candidates required to sit the Final Examination sit the medical and anaesthesia viva sections, not the written components. Their pass requirements differ from the standard trainee pathway: they need a pass in the anaesthesia viva section, at least 30 marks overall and the required passes across the anaesthesia vivas.
Can an online question bank reproduce the ANZCA Final?
A question bank can help you practise written and oral formats, but the Anesthesia Zone products listed here are not an exact replica of the ANZCA papers or a claim of complete curriculum coverage. Use them alongside the ANZCA curriculum and exam reports.
References
Exam rules, dates and fees change. Always confirm the details with the awarding body before you apply.