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Extensions, breaks and reviews of comparability status
This page contains information for existing SIMG candidates who wish to apply for an extension or a break of comparability status, or a review of their comparability assessment from Partial to Substantial.
Extension of comparability status
The comparability status of a SIMG candidate refers to the amount of time that a candidate has on the specialist pathway to complete the requirements stated in their specialist assessment outcome letter.
Candidates must maintain current comparability status at all times in order to continue their progression towards Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) Fellowship. If a candidate’s comparability status is due to expire before they achieve RANZCP Fellowship then they may apply for a comparability status extension. The CSIMGE will consider extensions on a case-by-case basis for yearly extensions, with a maximum of two (2) extensions given, making the total comparability status time available to be four (4) years.
A longer placement time, and therefore an extension of comparability status, will be required under the following circumstances:
- If a candidate cannot satisfactorily complete the requirements and assessments in the placement time
- If a candidate is delayed in starting their job beyond the expected12 month time frame.
- If a candidate is required to do a remediation period which will extend the total time of their placement
- If a Partial Comparability Placement candidate is reassessed and moves to the Substantial Comparability Placement,
- If a candidate is approved to do the placement part-time.
You must apply for an extension of your comparability status at least 6 weeks prior to your comparability status expiring.
Submit to simgehelp@ranzcp.org
Allow 6 weeks for your application to be reviewed.
Area of Need extensions
SIMG candidates working in Area of Need (AoN) positions must maintain their AoN approval throughout their placement.
SIMG candidates who require an extension to their AoN support must apply directly to the RANZCP for approval.
All applications for extensions of Area of Need positions should be submitted directly to the RANZCP. They will be considered by the Substantial Comparability Assessment Review Panel CSIMGE, who meet monthly.
- Extension of comparability status and Area of Need support [PDF; 239 KB]
- Area of Need on-going assessment form [PDF; 204 KB]
Submit to simgehelp@ranzcp.org
Allow 6 weeks for your application to be reviewed.
Review of comparability assessment (partial to substantial)
You can apply for a review of your comparability status 12 months after you receive your Partial Comparability specialist assessment outcome if there has been a material change to your training and experience since you were initially assessed by the RANZCP.
College staff cannot assess your training and experienc pre- or post-qualification. Only you can determine if you have had a change in your qualifications, training and/or experience.
Examples of what might be considered evidence of a material change:
- obtaining an additional qualification in Psychiatry
- a further significant period of training or experience that is verifiable and acceptable to the RANZCP.
Examples of what wouldn’t be considered evidence of a material change:
- completion of Partial Comparability requirements for RANZCP Fellowship
- further work experience.
To apply for a review
Complete a new application form and provide all required supporting documents.
Refer to the SIMG application checklist for the documents required to apply. Note: documents with ‘new applicants only’ in the checklist are not needed for a review of comparability assessment.
While generally only a paper-based assessment will be required, in certain cases you may be invited to an interview.
- You cannot apply for a review of your comparability status within one year of receiving your specialist assessment outcome, or a previous review.
- If you are not deemed substantially comparable after a review of your comparability status, you will continue with the Partial Comparability Placement requirements.
- A review of comparability status fee applies.
Break in comparability status
If exceptional circumstances are affecting your ability to progress towards RANZCP Fellowship, you can apply for up to12-months break from your comparability requirements. This condition is covered under the Maintenance of comparability status policy [PDF; 142 KB] and is for SIMG candidates who have encountered exceptional circumstances which affect their ability to progress towards RANZCP Fellowship.
It is important to apply for a break at the earliest time when the circumstance becomes evident in order for the CSIMGE to fairly consider the situation, rather than to submit retrospectively.
Break in comparability status application form [PDF; 92 KB]
Submit to simgehelp@ranzcp.org
Allow 6 weeks for your application to be reviewed.
Policies
