Applying for the 2026 SET intake
Application for Selection to the 2026 SET intake through the RACS website has now closed.
Specialties using the online form linked on this page:- Cardiothoracic Surgery
- Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery (Aotearoa New Zealand)
- Paediatric Surgery
- Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (Aotearoa New Zealand)
Please refer to Specialty Selection Regulations for specific application closing date and time.
If you intend to apply for selection in 2025 you must have registered while registration was open between 7 January 2025 at 12:00 noon AEDT and Friday 31 January 2025 at 12:00 noon AEDT. No extensions are available.
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 and Selection to Surgical Education and Training regulation (PDF 227.92KB)
- Guide to SET Selection booklet (PDF 3.14MB)
- Guide to SET booklet (PDF 883.25KB) - provides greater details about the RACS SET training program
- Guidelines: Registration for Selection Form (PDF 1.52MB)
- Guidelines: Application for Selection Form (PDF 1.27MB)
Timeline for selection 2025
Stage 1: Registration for selection
Opened Tuesday 7 January 2025 (12:00 noon AEDT). Closed Friday 31 January 2025 (12:00 noon AEDT)
Stage 2: Apply to the SET program
The opening and closing dates 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 2025
Stage 4: Interviews
The interview dates will vary between specialties.
Please check the individual specialty websites below for the relevant interview date(s) for the specialties you intend to apply for.
Stage 5: Announcement of offers
Latest day of notification of outcome: Friday 7 November 2025
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