Training in psychiatry in Australia and New Zealand: past, present and future

Since the establishment of the Fellowships Board and the Committee for Training in 1985, training in psychiatry in Australia and New Zealand has come under close scrutiny and development of training has been given new impetus. This paper reviews the development of training in psychiatry in Australia and New Zealand over the last three decades, focusing on the philosophical, organisational and accreditation aspects. The present scene, with its strengths and weaknesses, is reviewed and compared with that currently existing in the United States and Britain. Possible future directions and recommendations are then outlined.