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In This Section
  • The SET selection process
  • Generic eligibility requirements for selection
  • Specialty specific eligibility criteria and selection processes
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Selection Initiative
  • Applying for the 2024 SET intake
  • Application fees
  • Situational Judgement Test
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  1. HOME
  2. Become a Surgeon
  3. How do I become a surgeon?
  4. SET selection requirements, process and application
  5. Generic eligibility requirements for selection

Generic eligibility requirements for selection

Any doctor who applies for selection into the training program of one (or more) of the surgical specialties must meet all of the generic eligibility criteria as well as the relevant specialty eligibility criteria.

The following generic eligibility requirements must be met at the time of registration for all surgical specialties:

  • permanent residency1 or citizenship of Australia or Aotearoa New Zealand
  • medical registration
    • In Australia: General (unconditional) registration, or
    • In Aotearoa New Zealand: General scope or restricted general scope registration in the relevant specialty2 
  • successful completion of the RACS specific Hand Hygiene Learning Module from the National Hand Hygiene Initiative 3 (NZ registrants must also complete the Hand Hygiene Australia Learning Module -  https://www.hha.org.au/online-learning/complete-a-module .)
  • completion of the RACS Operating with Respect eModule
  • Generic Surgical Sciences Exam (GSSE) must be passed either at the time of registration or by the close of SET applications. Refer to the relevant specialty selection regulations for confirmation of when this requirement must be met. 

Recommended reading

To ensure you are fully informed about the SET Program registration and selection process, we recommend that potential applicants read the following documents before registration:

  • Registration for Selection into Surgical Education and Training (SET) Program Regulation (PDF 89.39KB)
  • Selection to Surgical Education and Training Regulation (PDF 209.99KB)
  • Guide to Surgical Selection (2023 Intake) (PDF 1.36MB)
  • Guide to the Registration for Selection to SET Form (PDF 666.32KB)

Notes:

1. Permanent (non-citizen) residents of Aotearoa New Zealand are not automatically entitled to residential approval in Australia. Aotearoa New Zealand (non-citizen) residents who apply for a program with Australian rotations are responsible for securing the appropriate visa. If a visa is not granted, no special arrangements will be made, and the offer of a place on the program may be withdrawn, or the Trainee dismissed.
2. Doctors with restricted general scope registration can only apply for training in the specialty to which they are restricted.
3. Hand Hygiene module must have been completed since 1 January 2013.  Your certificate must be the RACS specific Hand Hygiene Australia module. No other module will be accepted for registration. Please note that you will need to log into to access the module - further information is available on the National Hand Hygiene Initiative site.

Back to SET selection requirements, process and application
  • The SET selection process
  • Generic eligibility requirements for selection
  • Specialty specific eligibility criteria and selection processes
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Selection Initiative
  • Applying for the 2024 SET intake
  • Application fees
  • Situational Judgement Test
  • Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
  • Contact

Related pages

  • Generic Surgical Science Examination

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