No plans for fast track pathway for surgery

While expedited registration pathways have been introduced in Australia in areas such as General Practice, Anaesthesia, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Psychiatry, RACS acknowledges that Health Ministers have the authority to review and amend registration pathways at any time as part of their responsibility to ensure a safe and effective medical workforce. 
NewsSep 10, 2025

Following recent discussions, and in recognition of the collective work undertaken to improve Specialist International Medical Graduate (SIMG) assessment and processing times while maintaining safety and quality standards, our understanding is that there are currently no plans to extend the Expedited Pathway to other specialties.

Over the past year, RACS has consistently advocated for strengthening the existing SIMG comparability pathway rather than pursuing wholesale reform through an expedited registration process. The College has emphasised the importance of ensuring that workforce solutions target genuine areas of shortage, particularly in rural and regional locations, while upholding patient safety.

Looking ahead, RACS will continue working with governments on workforce strategies that are designed with specialty experts, anchored in safety, quality and professionalism, and led by the College.

Discussions with the Medical Council of New Zealand on possible models for an expedited pathway will take place in the coming months.

RACS remains committed to working collaboratively with health services, Ministers, government, regulators and SIMGs to ensure that all communities have access to safe, high-quality surgical care - when and where it is needed.