Retiring from practice

If you are ready to fully retire from practice, there are two primary steps you need to take: cease your practising registration with the medical regulator and notify the College of your retirement. 

1. Cease your practising registration with the medical regulator 

Once your practicing medical registration has ceased, you can no longer practice as a medical specialist. 

Australia and New Zealand have different registration policies and procedures. Refer to your national medical regulator to understand what it means to cancel your registration and any other options available to you. 

2. Notify the College of your retirement from practice 

After you’ve ceased your practicing registration with the medical regulator, you need to formally notify the College. Once your retirement has been officially recognised by the RANZCP Board, you will become a Retired Fellow. 

How to notify the College of your retirement 

Retired Fellow status 

Once approved by the Board, retired Fellows have the same powers, privileges and obligations as Fellows, but no CPD obligations. 

The College encourages you to stay involved and engaged in College life post-retirement. 

CPD obligations as a Retired Fellow 

Once you have ceased your practising medical registration, you don’t need to meet Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements. 

However, if you still hold practising registration with the medical regulator, you must continue to meet your CPD obligations, even if you are working reduced hours. 

Email cpdhelp@ranzcp.org to clarify if you are unsure of your obligations. 

College fees as a Retired Fellow 

The declared date of retirement on your Declaration of Retirement Form determines the date your retired status takes effect, plus any outstanding College subscription fees that are unpaid.

A pro-rata subscription fee rate may be applied if you are granted status of ‘Fellow Retired’ and it is effective for part of the current year. 

Retired Fellows remain liable for any accrued fees that remain unpaid from previous years.

What you can and can’t do once retired 

Once your practising registration has ceased, you’re not allowed to engage in medical practice. 

For the purposes of retirement, RANZCP defines ‘practice as a specialist psychiatrist’ to include all forms of: 

You must be a practising Fellow and meet CPD requirements to participate in any of the activities above, whether you’re paid or not. 

For specific guidance on what you can and can’t do refer to the resources below: 

Contact the CPD team to clarify which activities you can undertake as a Retired Fellow. Email [email protected].