THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND COLLEGE OF PSYCHIATRISTS

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) is the principal organisation representing the medical specialty of psychiatry in Australasia and New Zealand and has responsibility for training, examining and awarding the qualification of Fellowship of the College to medical practitioners.
There are currently 2600 Fellows of the College who account for approximately 85 per cent of all practicing psychiatrists in Australia and over 50 per cent of psychiatrists in New Zealand.

The vision of the College is:-
“ a fellowship of psychiatrists working with and for the general community to achieve the best attainable quality of psychiatric care and mental health”

Within the College, specialist aspects of psychiatry are represented by two Faculties and five Sections:-

Faculty of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Faculty of Psychiatry of Old Age
Section of Addiction Psychiatry
Section of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry
Section of Forensic Psychiatry
Section of Psychotherapy
Section of Social and Cultural Psychiatry

History of the College
The Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists was incorporated on 28 October 1963. Its incorporation was procured by The Australasian Association of Psychiatrists (founded in October 1946) with a view to its continuing the work of the Association. The College was granted the prefix Royal on 9 May 1977. The College celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1996. An official history of the College as an institution was commissioned in 1993 to commemorate its 50th anniversary year of the College. "Menders of the Mind: A History of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists", was published by Oxford University Press in 1996.

What does the College do?  Through its various structures, the College:-

Conducts a training and examination process for qualification as a consultant psychiatrist.
Administers the Continuing Professional Development Program (CPD) for practicing professionals.
Holds an annual scientific congress and various sectional conferences throughout the year.
Supports continuing medical education activities at a regional level.
Publishes a range of journals, statements and other policy documents.
Liaises with government, allied professionals and community groups in the interests of psychiatrists, patients and the general community.