Post Fellowship training

The Post Fellowship Education and Training (PFET) approval process was established in 2009 to accredit programs conducted externally by providers who seek endorsement. The program has been developed by RACS in association with the Specialty Societies representing the specialties in which RACS trains pre-Fellowship.

PFET programs may be proposed by external Specialty Societies seeking accreditation by RACS. Proposals may be made by major Specialty Societies representing one of the pre-Fellowship specialties, or, by sub-Specialty Societies that have obtained sponsorship from the relevant major Specialty Society. 

Approved PFET Programs will be accredited for five years and are co-badged by RACS and the Specialty Society conducting the Program. RACS does not manage or administer the accredited PFET Programs; this is undertaken by the relevant Society.

This PFET accreditation process is limited only to those programs that seek accreditation and does not preclude Specialty Societies from independently approving other programs. 

PFET programs may be proposed for accreditation, or re-accreditation, having obtained sponsorship from the relevant Society representing the Surgical Education and Training (SET) Specialties. If the program is planned to run in both Australia and New Zealand, sponsorship may be required from the relevant Society in both countries (if not a bi-national Society).

Each PFET program should have clearly stated objectives for the sub-specialty expertise and should provide justification and evidence of more significantly specialised technical and scientific knowledge while demonstrating the benefits to the public, education standards consistent with RACS competencies and standards of care.

A PFET Accreditation Panel will be convened to consider requests in accordance with the Approval of Post Fellowship Education and Training Programs (PDF 45.41KB)regulation. The panel will include the Chair, appointed by the Education Board, Fellows representing the surgical specialties sponsoring the PFET program and the Executive General Manager Education. Once an application meets the prescribe criteria for accreditation, the panel will make a recommendation for approval to the Education Board. 

1. Download and complete the PFET Program Application Form (PDF 245.53KB). 
2. Ensure all appropriate documentation is attached as per the checklist on the application form.
3. Submit the completed form to [email protected].
4. Pay the PFET accreditation fee.
5. The PFET program submission is considered by the PFET Accreditation Panel. 
6. The PFET program submission is put forward for approval by the Education Board.
7. If approved, a letter confirming the terms and period is sent to the proposing Society.
8. The RACS PFET logo is provided to the proposing society for use.

A PFET Program proposal must address the following criteria:

• Demonstrated need based on public benefit
• Justification on the basis of a specific and unique technical and scientific knowledge base
• Evidence that the proposed program provides education and training that is significantly more specialised than that currently provided at a generalist level in one or more of the College's nine specialty training programs
• A defined curriculum based on the College competencies
• Evidence of deliverability of the proposed curriculum
• A defined requirement for clinical activity during PFET training (such as minimum logbook numbers, case-mix, primary/secondary operator level, operating sessions or outpatient clinics)
• In-training formative assessments
• A defined requirement for research during training
• Processes to assess satisfactory performance in training (including progression and remediation of unsatisfactory performance) and a mechanism to confirm satisfactory completion of training
• Appropriate mechanisms for identifying in surgical supervisors and educators
• Administrative support funded from program fees
• Consideration of workforce issues including the impact of sub-specialisation on the workplace
• Continuing Professional Development.

The Program proposal must also include information on:

• The benefit to patient care
• Education standards consistent with the College's core competencies
• Infrastructure consequences for the College
• Standards of care

A non-refundable PFET Program accreditation fee is payable by the Society proposing the PFET Program. This fee is charged upon receipt of a PFET Program submission.

See a full list of current fees.

PFET Programs have been accredited by RACS in the following sub-Specialties:

Colorectal Surgery
The Colorectal Surgical Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSSANZ) Post Fellowship Training Program in Colorectal Surgery regulations were approved by Council in 1992 and accreditation of the program under the current PFET process was formalised in March 2016. The Colorectal Surgery PFET program is overseen by the Australia and New Zealand Training Board in Colon and Rectal Surgery (ANZTBCRS) and provides training in both Australia and New Zealand. Details of the program, the positions available, and the application process may be found at the CSSANZ website.

Craniomaxillofacial Surgery
The Australian and New Zealand Society of Craniomaxillofacial Surgery (ANZSCMFS) Post Fellowship Training Program in Craniomaxillofacial Surgery was approved by RACS in June 2016, to provide training in Australia, New Zealand and a small number of overseas positions. Details of the program, the positions available, and the application process may be found at the ANZSCMFS website.

Gastric and Oesophageal Surgery
The Australian and New Zealand Gastric and Oesophageal Surgery Association (ANZGOSA) was approved by RACS in February 2017, to provide training in both Australia and New Zealand. Details of this program, the positions available and the application process may be found at the AANZGOSA website.

Hand Surgery
The Australian Hand Surgery Society (AHSS) Post Fellowship Training Program in Hand Surgery was approved by Council in October 2011, to provide training in both Australia and New Zealand. Details of this program, the positions available, and the application process may be found at the AHSS website.

Hepatic, Pancreatic and Biliary Surgery
The Australia New Zealand Hepatic, Pancreatic and Biliary Association (ANZHPBA) Post Fellowship Training Program in Hepatic, Pancreatic and Biliary Surgery was approved by Council in February 2016, to provide training in both Australia and New Zealand. Details of this program, the positions available, and the application process may be found at the AANZHPBA website.

Transplantation Surgery
General Surgeons Australia's (GSA) Post Fellowship Training Program in Transplantation Surgery was approved by RACS in April 2015, to provide training in both Australia and New Zealand. Details of the program, the positions available, and the application process may be found at the GSA website.

Executive Officer
Post Fellowship Education and Training Accreditation Panel
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons
250-290 Spring Street
East Melbourne VIC 3002 Australia

Email: [email protected]