Entry Requirements

• General medical registration 
• Completion of PGY2 minimum 
• Completion of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) Hand Hygiene Learning Module 

• Completed the RACS Operating with Respect eLearning module 
• Passed the Generic Surgical Sciences Exam 

Paediatric Surgery Specialty Specific Eligibility Criteria: 

• Minimum duration of 52 weeks in a surgery rotation at a registrar level 
• Minimum duration of 10 weeks in a paediatric surgery rotation in a tertiary paediatric surgical unit 
• Refer to the RACS Paediatric Surgery Selection Regulations for further information on selection and/or eligibility 

Total Training Time

Total: Sequential curriculum conducted over 6 years (full-time)

Early SET: 2 years (full-time) 

Mid SET: 2 years (full-time)  

Senior SET: 2 years (full-time)  

How to Apply

Registration, selection and application for training in Paediatric Surgery training can only be submitted via the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) online application system.

Applicants must first register with RACS in accordance with the Registration for SET Selection policy.

Whether or not an applicant can apply to the program is not linked directly to their postgraduate year (PGY) level, however doctors in PGY3 and further are more successful in their applications, having the extra time to achieve the perquisites needed. Each speciality has unique requirements for successful admission into the relevant SET program, so all applicants must check the unique requirements outlined by their chosen speciality they intent to apply for.

Information about each specialty’s SET selection process is published in November each year. The selection of trainees into the program is an annual process that begins in January and ends in September for most specialities. For more details on selection into the Paediatric surgery program, see the Paediatric Surgery speciality page.

Applicants who are successful with RACS will still need to apply to the Queensland Health RMO Campaign for an employment contract to be issued by the allocated facility.

Application Deadline

Registrations Open: Early January  

Registrations Close: Late January  

Please check the RACS website as dates vary each year.  

Frequently Asked Questions