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.

Statistics and information - Paediatric Surgery

Number of specialists - QLD

Number of new fellows - QLD

Number of specialists - AUS

Number of new fellows - AUS

Average weekly hours
QLD

Average Age
QLD

% Aged 60+
QLD

43% of the QLD 2017 workforce intend to retire by 2027

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

PGY new trainees - QLD

Proportion Female/Male - QLD

Male
Female

College

Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS)

Length of Training

Approximately 7 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 RACS.

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 Let’s Operate With Respect eModule and must have passed the RACS Generic Surgical Science Examination (GSSE). In addition, applicants must have satisfactorily completed a total of 6 months supervised postgraduate clinical work in surgery in an Australian or New Zealand unit comprised of terms no shorter than 10 weeks within 3 years prior to application. Applicants must have completed a minimum 10 week term in an Australian or New Zealand tertiary paediatric surgical unit composing fulltime paediatric surgery workload within 5 years prior to application. A letter of verification from a FRACS paediatric surgeon must verify this experience and be submitted with the 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 11 years.

Interrupted training

Trainees must apply to the relevant Specialty Board at least 6 months prior to the commencement of the training year in which the proposed interruption will commence.

Data Sources