CPD standard and guidelines
Throughout your career there will be many opportunities to assess performance and RACS is committed to providing education, resources and services that support you in delivering the highest standards of surgical care to all communities in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. See more about CPD standards and guidelines here.
On this page
CPD framework
The refreshed CPD Program moves away from practice types determining the amount of CPD a surgeon must undertake each year. From 1 July surgeons will be asked to participate in CPD as defined by their area of practice, including technical and non-technical areas. All surgeons are required to complete the same amount of CPD as outlined by the MBA and MCNZ standards. You will self-define your area of practice and can update this at any time. The areas of practice you can select have been developed in consultation with specialty associations and societies, and we welcome your on-going feedback to ensure that these remain relevant and contemporary. If you are no longer in operative practice, you may find that most of your area of practice is defined within non-technical areas such as teaching or supervision.
At least 50 per cent of your CPD must be relevant to your area of practice. RACS has set the rate at this level in recognition that surgeons have interests outside their main area/s of practice or may wish to participate in other CPD to support re-skilling or re-training. When you logon to the new CPD IT platform you will be asked to define your technical and non-technical (operative/non-operative) areas of practice - or confirm the existing information already held by RACS.
The CPD Program continues to be based on a continuous cycle of learning with a focus on planning, participation, measuring outcomes, reflection and change.
CPD category standards
CPD guide
The RACS CPD guide, revised in 2021, provides detailed guidance on the CPD requirements and how to achieve CPD compliance. The guide outlines the various categories, as well as verification, exemptions, and other resources.
Surgical competence and performance guide
The third edition of the RACS Surgical Competence and Performance Guide provides a framework to aid the assessment and development of surgeons across all areas of surgical practice. These competencies underpin all aspects of Fellowship training and provides a framework for the assessment of practising surgeons.
Surgical audit guide
Surgical audit is a fundamental part of modern surgical practice, an education process that is aimed at measuring performance, reducing risk and improving patient outcomes. The revised edition of the RACS Surgical Audit Guide focuses on providing surgeons with the information and tools needed to undertake quality surgical audit.