Cardiothoracic Surgery

Cardiothoracic Surgery 2023 Selection regulations for the 2024 Intake (PDF 409.34KB)

These Regulations are applicable for the 2024 intake conducted during 2023 only.

Last updated: 20 October 2022
Current version: 1.1

NOTE: Previous versions of these regulations should be disregarded

Any regulations for the SET Program from any previous years are not applicable and cannot be relied on for meeting the SET Program requirements for the 2024 intake unless specifically stated in the current regulations.

Evidence of procedures

Applicants must submit the three Cardiothoracic Eligibility DOPS forms provided below with their online application. Refer to the Selection Regulations for further information.

1. Competently insert a Chest Drain (DOCX 32.82KB)
2. Competently harvest a Long Saphenous Vein (DOC 71.5KB)
3. Competently harvest a Radial Artery (DOC 80.5KB)

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Selection Initiative

The Board of Cardiothoracic Surgery implemented the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Selection Initiative policy in the 2018 Selection Process. Please refer to the Selection Regulations for further details.

Date of interview: TBA

Changes to the RACS Clinical Examination (CE)

• 2024 SET Selection (for the 2025 intake) - successful completion of the CE will be a mandatory eligibility requirement
• 2023 SET Selection (for the 2024 intake) - successful completion of the CE is preferred but not compulsory. 
  If selected without the CE, Trainees commencing in 2024 will be required to complete the examination as per the RACS Clinical Examination (CE) policy. Further information about the RACS CE can be found here.
• 2022 SET Selection (for the 2023 intake) - was not compulsory
  Trainees commencing in 2023 will be required to complete the examination as per the RACS Clinical Examination (CE) policy. Further information about the RACS CE can be found here.

Announcement of offers to successful applicants will be made by the end of July 2023. Any final offers will be made by Friday 10 November 2023.

In 2016 five (5)* Trainees were appointed into the SET Program to commence in 2017
In 2017 eight (8)* Trainees were appointed into the SET Program to commence in 2018
In 2018 three (3)* Trainees were appointed into the SET Program to commence in 2019
In 2019 thirteen (13)* Trainees were appointed into the SET Program to commence in 2020
In 2020 there was no selection process
In 2021 six (6)* Trainees were appointed into the SET Program to commence in 2022
In 2022 seven (7)* Trainees were appointed into the SET Program to commence in 2023

*Includes deferred offers