Plastic Surgery

Plastic and reconstructive surgeons diagnose, treat and manage patients who require surgical intervention to restore, construct, reconstruct or improve the form, function or appearance of bodily structures. Plastic and reconstructive surgeons may also provide cosmetic surgical services to patients who do not suffer any condition or disease, but who wish to affect an improvement in aesthetic appearance of a bodily structure.

Plastic surgery requires hard work, perseverance, sacrifice and innovative thinking. We operate on problems from head to toe. We reconstruct complex surgical defects which requires three-dimensional view of tissues and a thorough anatomical knowledge. This is achieved through rigorous training in the full spectrum of plastic surgery, not just in surgical skills, but also the way of thought process aimed at evolving the best possible solution to the problem, often co-opting other specialties to come to an end point envisaged.

 

There is a pressing and genuine need for specialist plastic surgery in regional centres and being able to help people in regional areas provides a sense of personal achievement.

Dr Atul Ingle
Plastic Surgeon - Townsville University Hospital

Clinical Practice

Plastic and reconstructive surgeons work within both public and private facilities provide care for patients who require surgical, non-surgical, reconstructive and cosmetic services. Procedures commonly performed by plastic and reconstructive surgeons include abdominoplasty, breast reconstruction, cleft lip and palate repair, dermabrasion, hand surgery, liposuction, nose surgery, scar revision, sclerotherapy and skin cancer excision.

Plastic 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

44% 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.

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College

Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS)

Length of Training

5 years full-time

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

Plastic and Reconstructive 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 across a wide ranging specialty to enable trainees to manage manipulation, repair and reconstruction of the skin soft tissue and bone. 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

2022

Flexibility

Minimum 50% of full-time commitment however trainees must apply to the relevant specialty board prospectively. Flexible training of less than 1.0 FTE is permitted after 12 months of full time training completed satisfactorily. Training must be completed within 9 years after the trainees's first clinical rotation.

Interrupted training

Trainees must apply to the relevant specialty board as part of accepting the training offer. Any interruption to training should be in multiples of 3 calendar months, preferably 6 calendar months, and return to training is aligned with training terms, where possible.

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