Becoming a Trainee

The College expects that a doctor entering the training program in intensive care medicine will have the ability to achieve all the competencies and show all the values, attitudes, and aptitudes required of a specialist in intensive care medicine. Applicants for the training program in intensive care medicine will be selected based upon these principles and the eligibility criteria and selection criteria set out in the Trainee Selection Policy

The selection process should result in the best possible applicants being selected and must support the overall objective of College training. The aim is to produce intensive care specialists who are prepared for the full scope of intensive care practice.

Trainee Selection 2026

In 2025, the College introduced a second intake period for prospective trainees to apply for the CICM Training Program. The introduction of a second intake each calendar year better aligns with the 6-month Foundation Time requirement, especially for those who may complete this training in the latter part of a clinical year.

Below is a guide to when each intake is proposed to occur and the corresponding training commencement period.

	Intake 1	Intake 2
Applications Open	16 March 2026	17 August 2026
Applications Close	30 March 2026	31 August 2026
Reference	13 April 2026	14 September 2026
Notified of Outcome	May 2026	November 2026
Commence Formal Training	July/August 2026	January/February 2027

How to apply

Once applications are open, a link to apply will appear here. The first section of the application will be a pre-registration to determine your eligibility. To prepare for this you will need to provide:

Evidence of Full General Registration
Letter of Service for ICU Foundation Time

Applications will open on Monday 17 August 2026. Once open, please pre-register using the ‘Register Now’ button below. Pre-registration will close on Monday 31 August 2026.

Register Now

Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to read through all relevant material prior to making an application to ensure they understand and meet the selection criteria.

Once your eligibility has been determined at pre-registration, you will be sent a link to the application form. If you are not eligible to apply, you will be notified via email.

Top Consideration from the Trainee Committee before applying to the Training Program.

The Trainee Committee come from a range of backgrounds and previous experiences. We represent different stages of CICM training and various regions across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, and we have all navigated the pathway in slightly different ways. Based on our collective experience, here are some things we recommend considering before signing up for training.

CICM training is one of the longest medical training pathways in ANZ.

Many Trainees take longer than the minimum six years to complete the program, so it’s worth recognising from the outset that ICU is a long-term commitment.

Review the college requirements and sketch out a plan

Think about when you might complete key training milestones like your First Part exam, rural time and research project (so-called “Formal Project”).For example, many Trainees have a First Part exam sitting in mind when they apply for training and aim to pass it in the first 2 years as a Trainee.

It’s helpful to discuss your ideas with Senior Trainees and Fellows in your unit to get a sense of what’s realistic locally. Keep in mind many Trainees need to move to complete required: CICM_GENERAL-Pathways_Training_Maps.pdf

Start developing a non-clinical portfolio early

Skills in education, leadership, research and quality improvement will help set you apart when you being applying for consultant roles, especially in traditionally competitive metropolitan centres.

The College is very supportive of leave, including Parental Leave

Having children in training is entirely possible; in fact, a third of the Trainee Committee (including the female Trainees) currently have children.

ICU is a shift-based speciality

Night shifts and 12-hour shifts being the staple of ICU training. Consider how this fits into your lifestyle now and into the future.

ICU is a deeply rewarding career pathway but can be high stress.

Strong support systems, good mentors and personal resilience are important. Balancing shift work with ongoing study is essential and takes deliberate planning.

CICM training allows for a lot of flexibility- more than many other Colleges.

This “choose your own adventure” model means you may experience very different ICUs during training, choose when (within limits) to sit your exams, and decide the order in which you complete requirements. The flexibility has great advantages but also means Trainees need to remain organised and proactive.

Several states are also developing Training Pathways that organise and allocate jobs for you. The College does not administer these pathways. Talk to your local Trainees and Consultants to find out what is available where you live.

Rural and Regional Trainees can complete much of the pathway locally.

You will still need 12-24 months of Core ICU time in a tertiary centre but many other components can be completed outside major cities.

If paediatric intensive care is a serious interest, plan early.

Think about how you will incorporate paediatric exposure into your pathway so you can explore this option properly.

Good luck! We hope you enjoy this highly rewarding career as much as we do!

Are you an overseas qualified intensive care specialist?

We encourage all Specialist International Medical Graduates (SIMGs) to explore the SIMG pathway before applying to the general training program. For further information and to understand if you are eligible for the SIMG pathway, please see our SIMG webpage here.

Should you have any questions regarding the eligibility requirements or application process, please contact the SIMG Department.

Dual Training Pathway

The dual intensive care medicine and anaesthesia training pathway is currently in development. The pathway offers a mechanism for combining training towards FCICM and FANZCA in less time than it currently takes to complete both training programs.

Trainees applying and subsequently registering for dual training must apply to and register with both colleges as per the guidelines published by ANZCA and CICM.

For more information on the pathway, please visit here.

Eligibility
Preparation and Responsibility
Referees & CV
Application Process
Fees
RPL
FAQ

In order to proceed with applying to be a registered trainee of the College, applicants must be able to answer “YES” to all of the following questions:

1	Do you possess a primary medical degree?
2	Have you successfully completed a 12 month internship (Post Graduate Year 1)?
3	Have you obtained FULL GENERAL registration with the relevant medical council or agency? If applying for training in Australia, have you obtained FULL GENERAL registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)? OR If applying for training in Aotearoa New Zealand, have you obtained FULL GENERAL medical registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ)? OR If applying for training in Hong Kong, have you obtained FULL registration (License of Registration) with the Medical Council of Hong Kong (MCHK)? OR If applying for training in Singapore, have you obtained FULL registration with the Medical Council of Singapore (MCS)?
4	Have you obtained documentary evidence of medical registration in Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand, Hong Kong or Singapore that can be submitted with your application?
5	Have you completed 6-months of Foundation Training in a CICM-accredited unit? Foundation Time must be completed in either 1x 6-month term or 2x 3-month terms, and must be completed within 3-years of application date Contact Training if you have taken in excess of 4 weeks leave through the 6-months Foundation Training.
6	Are you able to provide the contact details of three referees from your Foundation Training? One FCICM One FCICM who is either a College Supervisor of Training (SOT) in the unit where the Foundation Training was completed OR who is the Director of the unit in which the applicant completed their Foundation Training One senior ICU nurse Where units do not have a Fellow of the College as the SOT or Director, applicants may use another appropriately qualified specialist who has supervised them during the period of Foundation Training. Applicants should contact the College to discuss further if they are experiencing any difficulty with the application process.

Preparations

Applicants will be asked to attach the following documents and provide the following information at the time of application:

Documents

Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)/Primary Medical Degree
Evidence of Full Registration with AHPRA, MCNZ, MCHK, or MCS
Letters of Service for:
- Internship Year (PGY1)
- Foundation Training.

Information

Days of leave taken during PGY1 and Foundation Training
- This includes all leave types, excluding parental leave
Structured CV
Referee details:
- Full name
- Email
- Phone number
References will be sent by the College, but it will be the responsibility of the applicant to follow up with the referees to provide any outstanding references. For the March 2026 intake, references must be received by 13 April 2026.

Responsibility

The College expects that all prospective trainees must:

Be aware of the requirements of the College in relation to your registration.
Ensure you have thoroughly read and understood the terms of the Training Agreement.
Be aware of the requirements of the College in relation to retrospective and prospective accreditation of training.
Ensure that any applications for registration or for retrospective or prospective accreditation of training are received by the College by the relevant deadlines.
Ensure all required documentation is provided in a timely manner.
Ensure all letters of service meet the requirements
- Please note that letters of appointment, letters of offer and contracts are not suitable documents for evidence of training.
- Please see the FAQs for more details on these requirements.

All applications to the training program MUST be accompanied by the contact details of three suitable referees.

Verified referees will be sent an email from the College requesting the completion of an online form. This request will be made at the time of an application being submitted. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure the reference is completed in a timely manner, and we therefore advise that applicants let their referees know ahead of time that they will be contacted.

For the March 2026 intake, references must be received by 13 April 2026 to allow adequate time for the applications to be assessed.

All references must be from your Foundation Training term.

Referee Rating Scale

Referees are asked to firstly rate the applicant’s performance in a number of core abilities from 1-5:

Falls far short of expected standard
Falls short of expected standard
Expected standard
Better than expected standard
Exceptional performance

Referee Questions

The referee is then asked to provide their opinion on the applicant’s commitment to intensive care medicine and their suitability for admission to the training program. There is opportunity to provide additional comments or information if the referee wishes.

Required Referees

One FCICM
One FCICM who is either a College Supervisor of Training (SOT) in the unit where the Foundation Training was completed OR who is the Director of the unit in which the applicant completed their Foundation Training
One senior ICU nurse

Where units do not have a Fellow of the College as the SOT or Director, applicants may use another appropriately qualified specialist who has supervised them during the period of Foundation Training.

Applicants should contact the College to discuss further if they are experiencing any difficulty with the application process.

List of Core Abilities

The list of core abilities includes:

Demonstrates sound clinical judgement which is consistent with their level of training
Seeks assistance when appropriate
Demonstrates problem-solving skills
Willingness to accept advice, guidance and feedback
Has awareness of the limitations of their competence
Demonstrates integrity and compassion in patient care
Earns and maintains the respect of their colleagues
Shows personal commitment to honouring the choices and rights of others
Demonstrates interpersonal and communication skills within the multidisciplinary environment
Exhibits high standards of moral and ethical behaviour
Can work effectively as a member of a healthcare team
Can advocate effectively for patients
Can navigate situations where there is the potential for conflict
Demonstrates time management skills
Demonstrates a willingness to understand cultural differences and support culturally safe practice

Structured CV

The Structured CV will be part of the application form and is criterion-based, allowing you to present your experience and achievements in the following domains:

Qualifications
Clinical experience in intensive care medicine
Academic awards and excellence
Research (higher degrees, publications, presentations, and audit)
CPD and Courses
Rural origin and experience
Relevant personal experiences

Required Documentary Evidence

Please note it is no longer required to submit documentary evidence for your structured CV, as per the Selection Changes in 2024.

Application Process

Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to read through all relevant material before applying to ensure they understand and meet the selection criteria.

Once your Pre-Registration has been reviewed and eligibility confirmed, you will receive an email with a link to your individual Trainee Registration Application form.

The application process is extensive, and prospective trainees must be organized to ensure all documentation is submitted prior to the closing date of 30 March 2026.

Please note: No paper applications or hard copy evidence will be accepted.

As evidence of qualifications and training may be required from overseas bodies, applicants are strongly encouraged to begin the process well before the intake closing dates.

Selection Process

The Trainee Selection Panel meets twice a year to assess applications. However, incomplete applications will not be forwarded to the Selection Panel.

Applications cannot be made after the advertised closing date, and you will have to wait until the following intake period to apply.

Please Note:

Your application is not considered submitted until you have completed the online registration form, paid the registration fee, and all references have been received.

Intake Dates

	Intake 1	Intake 2
Applications Open	16 March 2026	17 August 2026
Applications Close	30 March 2026	31 August 2026
Reference	13 April 2026	14 September 2026
Notified of Outcome	May 2026	November 2025
Commence Formal Training	July/August 2026	January/February 2027

Registration Fee

All applicants will be required to pay a Trainee Registration Fee at the time of application. All fees and breakdowns of each can be found here.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is offered to all our trainees for experience they may have gained prior to joining the training program. RPL applications can be submitted for Medicine, Anaesthetic and Elective terms, along with the Rural and Paediatric exposures if the term meets the criteria set out in the relevant guidelines for each discipline. Core ICU training and Transition Year training are not eligible for RPL accreditation.

A list of guidelines for each term can be found here, or

RPL can be applied for at any time during your training and is submitted through the Online Learning section of your Training Members Portal. For prospective applicants, RPL applications can be submitted after acceptance onto the Training Program once an account has been created on the training portal

You will need a Letter of Service showing that the terms were completed for each rotation you would like reviewed. A Letter of Service must be provided on hospital letterhead and must include the following:

Hospital name
Discipline
Start date and end date
Level of Seniority e.g., Registrar, Resident Medical Officer etc.
Type of appointment (Full-time or part-time)
Amount of leave taken

You can also apply to have any courses that you have previously completed accredited towards your training requirements. You will need to include the course certificate for each course you would like reviewed.

Fees

All training, including retrospectively accredited terms, incurs fees. For RPL, fees will be charged based on the annual training fee for the year that the RPL assessment took place. The fee will be pro-rated based on the number of months that are retrospectively accredited.

For example, if you receive 12 months of RPL, you will be required to pay the full annual training fee. If you receive 6 months of RPL, you will be charged 50% of the year’s annual training fee. Invoices for the RPL will be raised just before you are notified of the RPL assessment's outcome. They will be required to be paid in the time stipulated on the invoice.

FAQs

What is Foundation Time?

Foundation Training Requirements

Applicants are required to have completed 6 months Foundation Training prior to applying for entry into the training program. This 6-month term provides a foundational experience in intensive care medicine and is undertaken in units approved by the College. This period must have been undertaken in the 3 years prior to applying to the College.

Foundation Training Formats:

1 x 6-month term
2 x 3-month terms
- These terms do not need to be consecutive, or at the same site

Please note that applicants will be asked to provide the amount of leave taken during their Foundation Time. Up to 14 days of leave can be taken in any 3- month period, and up to 28 days can be taken in any 6-month period. This includes all types of leave, except parental leave.

If the amount of leave taken during your Foundation Time exceeds the above, please get in contact with Training.

Units with CICM accreditation can be found here.

What is a letter of service?

Letter of Service Requirements

A Letter of Service confirms that training has been completed. It is required for your Internship Year (PGY1) and Foundation Training time, as well as any RPL you wish to apply for.

All Letters of Service must be uploaded with your application before the advertised application close date. Applicants are advised to request their letters well in advance of the application period to ensure there are no delays.

Required Information:

The letter must be on hospital letterhead and include:

Hospital name
Discipline
Start date and end date
Level of Seniority (e.g., Registrar, Resident Medical Officer)
Type of appointment (Full-time or part-time)
Amount of leave taken

Please note letters of appointment, letters of offer and contracts are not suitable documents for evidence of training.

Selection Panel and Process

Application Processing Information

How long do applications take to be processed?

The College works to ensure the fastest outcome time possible; however, applications are reviewed in the order they are received.

Application Review Process:

If the application is complete with no pending documents or references, it will be submitted to the Trainee Selection Panel for review. Incomplete applications will not be processed.

What does the Trainee Selection Panel do?

The Trainee Selection Panel is responsible for reviewing and assessing applications from prospective trainees who are seeking entry into the training program. The Panel comprises of the Censor, Director of Professional Affairs and Fellows of the College.

What if I completed my qualifications overseas?

Applicants who completed their Primary Medical Degree and initial Post Graduate training overseas are eligible to apply to the General Pathway, as long as they meet the eligibility criteria.

UK Foundation Programme certificates are acceptable in place of an Internship Year Letter of Service.

Applicants who have satisfied all training and examination requirements in Intensive Care Medicine in another country and are wanting to obtain specialist registration in Australia or Aotearoa New Zealand are encouraged to reach out to the SIMG department for further information.

What qualifies as a ‘senior ICU nurse’?

A senior ICU nurse is any nurse who:

Has worked in the unit for a significant period of time
Is either an associate/nurse unit manager or associate/charge nurse manager
Has further qualifications such as Clinical Nurse Specialist

When can I sit the First Part Examination?

Only registered College trainees may sit the First Part Examination. You may apply to sit the examination in the next available sitting after your application has been confirmed and you have been invited to join the training program.

For further information see here.