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COVID-19 information hub

RACS is monitoring the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) and complying with advice and instruction from our governments. Our priority is the health and safety of our Fellows, Trainees, Specialist International Medical Graduates and staff. This will help us to remain a functional College and medical workforce that can provide an effective service to our patients and the community at large.

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RACS guidelines on COVID-19 safe practice

The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) has produced various guidelines on COVID-19 safe practice.

RACS developed these evidence-based reports to ensure surgeons and other health practitioners have the most up to date information to inform best practice safe surgery during the pandemic. 

The guidelines have been produced to aid surgeons make the correct clinical judgement and decision making in healthcare delivery. They also equip practitioners with trusted information to inform engagement with patients.

We encourage our Fellows, Trainees and Specialist International Medical Graduates to use these guidelines and also follow the direction of their respective chief medical officer, health jurisdiction and relevant specialty society sources.

In this time of widespread distribution of information, sometimes coming from what seems like authoritative sources, RACS recommends that before acting on such reports, people should check information with their family doctor or surgeon and follow the official advice from their local Chief Health Officer.

Download our rapid review reports and guidelines.

Please visit our COVID-19 resources page to see a list of further resources and downloads. 

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

We understand that while COVID-19 will impact each surgeon differently, the restriction on participation and access to continuing professional development (CPD) events will affect everyone. 

After careful consideration, the Executive of the Professional Development and Standards Board determined that the CPD year will remain at 1 January to 31 December 2020. Activities should be entered into CPD Online by no later than 28 February 2021.  

RACS Fellows and surgeons participating in the CPD program have consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to participation and compliance - we will not be undertaking verification of CPD activities for 2020.

In recognition of the impact the 2020 year has had on so many of us, the following adjustments to CPD requirements have been made:

  • Up to 10 points can be claimed for COVID activities in Category 2: Clinical Governance. This will meet the full requirement for this category in 2020.
  • An additional 10 points can be claimed for General Activities in Category 3: Maintenance of Knowledge and Skills. This increases the annual threshold to 30 points and recognises the significant reading and research activities many surgeons have undertaken this year.
  • To assist in meeting the Category 4: Reflective Practice requirement, an online activity is under development and will be available to all CPD participants in early November

The revised RACS CPD Framework is scheduled for launch in July 2021 and we look forward to communicating further changes to you throughout the year.

Where can I get help?

The CPD team are available Monday to Friday 9.00am-5.00pm (AEST) and can be contacted at +61 3 9249 1282 or cpd.college@surgeons.org


Elective surgery recommendations from specialty societies

RACS consulted with its specialty societies who committed to providing Fellows with guidelines on elective surgery. Recommendations received from specialty societies are listed below.

Australian and New Zealand Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons

ANZSCTS Return to Elective Surgery (PDF 89.99KB) (27 April)  

Australian and New Zealand Society for Vascular Surgery

ANZSVS Guidance for the re-introduction of elective surgery (PDF 196.28KB) (27 April) 

Australian and New Zealand Association of Paediatric Surgeons

Position statement for the re-introduction of elective Paediatric Surgery (PDF 104.42KB) (29 April) 

COVID 19: Elective Case Triage - Guidelines for Surgical Care 

Australian & New Zealand Metabolic and Obesity Surgery Society

ANZGOSA and ANZMOSS Guidelines for Triaging Upper GI and Bariatric Surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic (PDF 294.25KB) (27 April) 

Australian Hand Surgery Society

Australian Hand Surgery Society letter to RACS (PDF 178.07KB) (1 April)

Australian Orthopaedic Association

AOA position statement on the staged and safe approach to the return of orthopaedic surgery during COVID-19 (PDF 125.5KB)

Australian Orthopaedic Association ElectiveSurgery COVID Position Statement (PDF 59.49KB)

The AOA has published the following position statements and advice:

These are in addition to the position statements issued by:

Australian Society of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery

ASOHNS guidelines addressing the COVID-19 pandemic – the re-introduction of elective surgery (PDF 134.79KB)

Guidance for ENT surgeons during the COVID-19 pandemic (20 March 2020) 

Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons 

ASPS communication about government ban on non-urgent elective surgery (PDF 68.89KB) (26 March 2020) 

Neurosurgical Society of Australasia 

Restoration of Elective Neurosurgery (PDF 165.71KB)

COVID-19 Position Statement Neurosurgery National Elective Surgery Urgency Categorisation (Monday 30 March) 

New Zealand Association of Plastic Surgeons

New Zealand Association of Plastic Surgeons communication to members (PDF 144.85KB) (23 April)

New Zealand Society of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery

NZSOHNS guidelines addressing the COVID-19 pandemic: Moving to Level2 (PDF 330.72KB) 

New Zealand Orthopaedic Association 

Information to NZOA Members on Elective Services (PDF 301.92KB) 

Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand

USANZ update on easing of restrictions to elective surgery in Australia (PDF 100.55KB) (23 April)

COVID-19 Restriction Checker

Some types of gatherings, activities and businesses have been restricted in Australia to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Find out more using healthdirect’s COVID-19 Restriction Checker tool.