Pathways for Recognition

Endoscopy training is usually assessed in the context of the Specialist Advanced Training Program of either the RACP or RACS. Training undertaken in other specialist programs e.g. RACGP will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The Committee recognises that some specialists and trainees will undergo, or have undergone, training that does not fit into the mainstream. The Committee has established additional criteria to meet some of these situations.

Possible pathways for recognition of training are:

All CCRTGE applications (apart from those for additional overseas training and Capsule Endoscopy Grandfathers) are to be submitted online.

Applications must be received by the CCRTGE prior to 15 March for applications to be assessed at the April/May meeting and prior to 15 October for applications to be assessed at the November meeting.

All information for Applicants is available here.

If you have any inquiries please contact us.

Australian Specialist Training Program (RACP/RACS/Other Specialist Medical College)

Full recognition is dependent on the completion of training, experience and supervision pursuant to training programs. Recognition of endoscopy training will be given at the completion of Specialist Advanced Training. The Committee expects gastrointestinal endoscopic training to be completed within a five (5) year period unless exceptional circumstances can be shown.

Applicants must:

  • Register and pay fees online

    • All prospective applicants for recognition of training must register online and pay the applicable fee. Once registered, the trainee will receive an email containing a username and password to permit access to the online logbook system.

  • Be in their final year of specialist training

    • Trainees are encouraged to register when they commence their training and to log their procedures throughout their training. However, they may only apply for recognition in their final year of training.

  • Organise supervision

    • Before logging procedures trainees must nominate supervisors to oversee their endoscopy training, and then add their supervisor’s details to the website. Supervisors will be given their own username and password for the online system. An updated list of all endoscopists whose training has been recognised is maintained by the Secretariat, and is available on request.

  • Set up logbooks

    • Trainees select the logbook for the procedure they wish to complete. Logbooks for additional procedure types can be added at any time without needing to re-register.

  • Log procedures for the duration of training

    • Details of all cases attempted from the commencement of training to the completion of training, including those not successfully completed, must be recorded prospectively and sequentially in the online logbook. Individual entries on the log must be acknowledged by the supervisor as soon as possible after the procedure is completed. Ideally at the end of the list.

    • Please note that no more than 50 procedures can be recorded on a logbook without acknowledgement from a supervisor. Once this limit is reached a supervisor must acknowledge at least some of the procedures before more procedures can be recorded.

    • Procedures should be entered and signed off by supervisors while fresh in memory. After the 1 September 2015 it will not be possible to enter into the logbook system procedures older than six (6) months.

    • All regulations that are set out in Information for Applicants continue to apply, including those that require the submission of a cleaning sheet and payment of relevant fees.

    • Recognition of training is based on the trainee's logbooks being an accurate reflection of their training experience.

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Recognition of training undertaken in an overseas facility

Applicants are expected to undertake the majority of their training in Australia. Should they elect to undertake part of their training overseas, the CCRTGE will accept logbooks recorded during this period provided a number of criteria are met prior to commencing overseas training.

  • The trainee must request approval from the CCRTGE in writing prior to the commencement of the intended overseas training.
  • The facility must be approved by the CCRTGE.
  • Each nominated supervisor must be regarded by the CCRTGE as a specialist in the procedure.
  • The registrant must provide:-
    • confirmation in writing from the overseas training institution of their consent to the arrangements specified for CCRTGE-recognised training;
    • confirmation in writing from the overseas training institution of the offer of a position to the applicant;
    • details of the facility in which the training will be undertaken:-
      • type of endoscopy unit e.g. department, clinic, unit etc;
      • staff levels and specialities;
      • type of endoscopy services and training offered and
      • an estimate of the number of endoscopy patients treated and procedures undertaken during a typical year;
    • a completed registration form for each proposed supervisor who will need to be familiar with the Australian Endoscopy Standard;
    • a curriculum vitae for each proposed supervisor including details of the supervisor’s qualifications for each procedure type to be supervised and
    • a completed spreadsheet of supervisor and procedure type details.

It may be that other CCRTGE applicants have undertaken training at the same institution before - if you can provide details of those applicants this would be useful. It may also be that your desired supervisors already have CCRTGE accounts - please check if this is the case and let us know.

The Committee will consider the details of the training and inform the registrant of the suitability of the arrangements.

The applicant should continue to submit, via the CCRTGE online system, logs of procedures performed in Australia while their request is being considered.

The applicant will be required to submit a log of locally-supervised cases following their return.

All regulations that are set out in Information for Applicants continue to apply, including those that require the submission of a cleaning sheet and payment of relevant fees.

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Overseas specialist with prior training and endoscopic experience relocating to Australia

For applicants who have completed supervised endoscopic training in a recognised training institution overseas and have practised endoscopy at a specialist level in an overseas institution.

Applicants must have completed oversight and be awarded Fellowship from an Australian Specialist Medical College prior to CCRTGE recognition of training being considered.

To be eligible applicants must provide evidence of:

  • registration issued by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) to practice at specialist level (or under oversight supervised by a Specialist Medical College) in Australia - the applicant should also be recognised by either the RACP or RACS and
  • eligibility to practice at the level of consultant/specialist in gastrointestinal endoscopy prior to transferring to Australia.

Applicants are strongly advised to contact us to discuss their particular situation before registering.

Applicants must:

  • register online and pay the required fee for the procedures in which they seek recognition of training;
  • provide details of the initial overseas training institution including logbooks and supervisors’ reports;
  • provide a written reference from a training supervisor familiar with the applicant's prior overseas training and practice for each procedure for which application is made;
  • submit completed online logbooks from current practice for a minimum of fifty (50) prospective cases for each procedure type and
  • submit a referee’s report from a CCRTGE-recognised supervisor familiar with the applicant’s current practice and who has personally supervised the applicant in a minimum of twenty-five (25) of the required procedures.

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Applicant recognised by the New Zealand Conjoint Committee for Recognition of Training in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Consideration under this pathway is available to applicants who have received recognition of gastrointestinal endoscopy training by the New Zealand Conjoint Committee for Recognition of Training in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

Currently only gastroscopy, colonoscopy and ERCP covered by this pathway.

The following are the requirements for endoscopy recognition from the CCRTGE:

  • proof of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy recognition by the New Zealand Conjoint Committee;
  • proof of Fellowship with either RACP or RACS;
  • proof of confirmed registration to work in Australia and
  • the name and address of at least one referee (who must hold Australian CCRTGE recognition) who is familiar with the applicant's current practice.

Applicants must first register with the CCRTGE and then apply and pay any applicable fee(s) via the online logbook system.

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