Paediatric Surgery

Paediatric surgeons diagnose, treat and manage conditions in foetuses, infants, children, adolescents, and young adults that may require surgery, including congenital malformations, abdominal wall defects, chest wall deformities and tumours. Many paediatric surgeons will further subspecialise in areas of interest, for example urology, burns or thoracic surgery.

Clinical Practice

Paediatric surgeons work within both public and private facilities, to treat paediatric patients with a broad range of pathologies and conditions. Procedures commonly performed by paediatric surgeons include non-cardiac thoracic surgery, general paediatric surgery and paediatric urology.

Paediatric Surgery – Information

Number of specialists - QLD (2021)

Number of new fellows - QLD

Number of specialists - AUS (2021)

Number of new fellows - AUS

Average weekly hours
QLD

Average Age
QLD

% Aged 60+
QLD

50% of 2022 workforce intend to retire by 2032

Proportion Female/Male - QLD

Male
Female

Location - QLD

Regional
Major cities

Public/Private QLD

Private
Public

Number of trainees - QLD

Number of new trainees - QLD

Number of trainees - AUS

Number of new trainees - AUS

Proportion Female/Male trainees - QLD

Female
Male

2023 QLD Training Program Selections (First Year)

Eligible Applications Received
Applicants Selected

The data on this page compares the number of applicants that were selected to commence their first year of training in Queensland in 2023 to the total number of eligible applications*

The data was sourced from the relevant medical specialist college, or from selection committees coordinated by a Queensland Health pathway/network, or an individual facility.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

This data reflects a point in time figure for the selection of applicants commencing the first year of an accredited training program in the 2023 clinical year.

* eligible applications are determined by selection committees according to the eligibility criteria and required documentation prescribed by the relevant medical specialist college.

The data on this page compares the number of applicants that were selected to commence their first year of training in Queensland in 2023 to the total number of eligible applications.

See more.

College

Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS)

Length of Training

Approximately 6 years full-time (competency based rather than time based program)

Method of Allocation

College-selected trainees may be allocated to a training post by:

  • College
  • Queensland Health pathway/network (centrally coordinated)
  • Queensland Health facility (accredited for training)

Training and assessment summary

For detailed information in relation to training and assessment requirements, please contact RACS.

Training program overview

Paediatric surgery trainees are selected directly into the sub-specialty and progress through the SET (Surgical Education and Training) program, an integrated program designed to provide clinical and operative experience to enable trainees to manage non-cardiothoracic surgery, general paediatric surgery and paediatric urology. The main components of SET training are placements in hospital posts, short courses (skills and specialty-specific), research and assessments. Upon completing all requirements of the training program, trainees may apply for admission to Fellowship of Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS).

Eligibility

Applicants must have permanent residency or citizenship of Australia and New Zealand at the time of registration and hold general (unconditional) medical registration in Australia or general scope or restricted general scope registration in the relevant specialty in New Zealand. Applicants are also required to have successfully completed the RACS Hand Hygiene Learning Module and RACS Operating with Respect eModule, and have passed the RACS Generic Surgical Sciences Examination (GSSE) at time of registration or by close of SET applications. In addition, applicants must have satisfactorily completed a total of 12 months supervised postgraduate clinical work in surgery in an Australian or New Zealand unit at Registrar level. Applicants must have also completed a minimum 10 week term in an Australian or New Zealand tertiary paediatric surgical unit composing fulltime paediatric surgery workload within 3 years prior to application. Further details are available from RACS.

Flexibility

Minimum 50% of full-time commitment however trainees must apply to the relevant Specialty Board at least 6 months prior to the proposed commencement of part-time training. Training must be completed within 10 years.

Interrupted training

Trainees must apply to the relevant Specialty Board as part of the allocation process (as per due date). With the exception for medical, carers or parental leave, trainees cannot apply for interruption for the first rotation of training.

Click a location to learn more
Regional Training Pathways

Explore postgraduate training pathways in regional Queensland.

Visit Northern Queensland Regional Training Hubs

Visit The University of Queensland Regional Training Hubs