Applying for the 2024 SET intake
Applications for Selection to the 2024 SET intake opened 12:00 noon (AEDT) 1 March 2023.
If you intend to apply for selection in 2023 you must have registered prior to Tuesday 31 January 2023 at 12:00 noon AEDT. No extensions are available.
Please note: We are experiencing intermittent technical difficulties with our online application form. If you encounter any issues, please take a screenshot and email this together with any other relevant information to SET.Enquiries@surgeons.org
Please refer to the links below for information about applications to specific specialties.
We recommend that doctors download and read the following documents , to ensure you are fully informed about the SET program application and selection process:
- Registration for selection into SET regulation (PDF 89.39KB) (PDF 89.39KB) (PDF 89.39KB)
- Selection to Surgical Education and Training regulation (PDF 209.99KB) (PDF 209.99KB) (PDF 209.99KB)
- Guide to SET booklet (PDF 605.73KB) (PDF 605.73KB) (PDF 605.73KB)- provides greater details about the RACS SET training program
- Guidelines: Application for Selection Form (PDF 464.17KB) (PDF 464.17KB) (PDF 464.17KB)
Timeline for selection 2023
Stage 1: Registration for selection (now closed)
Opened Tuesday 10 January 2023 (12:00 noon AEDT). Closeed Tuesday 31 January 2023 (12:00 noon AEDT)
Stage 2: Apply to the SET program
Opens Wednesday 1 March 2023 (12:00 noon AEDT).
The closing date will vary between specialties. Please check the individual specialty websites below for the closing date for the specialties you intend to apply for.
Stage 3: Referee reports collected
April/May 2023
For applicants to Cardiothoracic Surgery, Vascular Surgery, General Surgery Australia, and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery New Zealand:
Nominated referees will be contacted directly and will be able to provide an online reference for potential applicants from Friday 28 April until Monday 22 May 2023, 8.00pm AEST.For all other specialties, please check the appropriate webpage (links below).
Stage 4: Interviews
June/July 2023
Stage 5: Announcement of offers
Latest day of notification of outcome: Friday 10 November 2023
SET selection preparation courses
RACS in partnership with the Specialty Societies delivering the Surgical Education and Training Program do not accredit, endorse or recommend any commercial providers delivering SET selection and interview training courses.
RACS and the Specialty Societies do not share with commercial providers any information regarding the content and style of SET selection interviews or any other selection tools, and have no evidence of the usefulness of these commercial courses.
For information about applications for the following specialties please check the appropriate webpage:
Orthopaedic Surgery - Australia
Orthopaedic Surgery – New Zealand
Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery - Australia
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Australia
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - New Zealand