There are minimal data regarding perioperative care practices and enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols in colorectal surgery from an anaesthetic standpoint.An electronic survey was administered to randomly selected anaesthetists from the United Kingdom (UK, n = 2000) and Australia/New Zealand (AUS/NZ, n = 500). Information was sought regarding individual aspects of perioperative care in elective colorectal surgery.The overall response rate was 35% from the UK and 34% from AUS/NZ with 599 anaesthetists. ERAS protocols were more common in the UK compared to respondents in AUS/NZ (p < 0.01). The use of routine bowel preparation was more common in AUS/NZ (p < 0.01). Preoperative carbohydrate loading was infrequently used overall but was more commonly used in the UK (p < 0.01). The majority of respondents (76%) in AUS/NZ never used preoperative carbohydrate loading. A considerable proportion of respondents never utilised fluid restriction perioperatively.Within the limitations of its moderate response rate, this survey of anaesthetists suggests that ERAS principles are heterogeneously applied in clinical care.