• Home
  • About
  • Advocacy
  • Careers
  • Donate
  • Contact
  • Library
  • Sign In
RACS logo

  • Become a surgeon
  • Trainees
  • Fellows
  • SIMGs
  • Research & audit

Key Information

  • About specialist surgeons
  • How do I become a surgeon?
  • Selection process and requirements
  • Admission to Fellowship
  • International surgical training
  • View all

Resources

  • eLearning courses & resources
  • College events
  • Interest groups and sections
  • Scholarships and grants

Key Information

  • Trainee Association (RACSTA)
  • The surgical training program
  • Surgical specialties
  • Examinations
  • Training post accreditation
  • View all

Education for Trainees

  • Skills training courses
  • eLearning courses & resources
  • Specialist training program
  • Library
  • View all

Resources

  • Training standards for surgeons
  • Surgeon wellbeing
  • College events
  • Interest groups and sections
  • Access Morbidity Audit and Logbook Tool (MALT)
  • View all

Key Information and resources

  • 'Find a Surgeon' & 'practice card'
  • Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
  • Reports, guidelines & publications
  • Fellowship
  • Interest groups and sections
  • View all

Fellowship Education and Training

  • eLearning courses & resources
  • Skills training courses
  • Surgeon wellbeing
  • Professional development courses
  • Library
  • View all

For supervisors, educators and trainers

  • Academy of Surgical Educators
  • Supervisor Support Hub
  • RACS skills & education centre
  • Become a mentor
  • Post-fellowship training
  • View all

Key Information

  • Pathways
  • SET as a SIMG
  • SIMG overview
  • Application process
  • SIMG assessments
  • View all

Education for SIMGs

  • eLearning courses & resources
  • Skills training courses
  • Professional development courses
  • Library

Resources

  • Surgeon wellbeing
  • Maintenance of Professional Standards
  • Contacts, guidelines and forms
  • Member benefits & services
  • Access Morbidity Audit and Logbook Tool (MALT)

Key Information

  • Surgical mortality audits
  • Morbidity audits
  • Research & Evaluation, inc. ASERNIP-S
  • Laparoscopic skills training
  • Trauma Verification program
  • View all

Resources

  • Access Morbidity Audit and Logbook Tool (MALT)
  • My audits
  • College events
  • Interest groups and sections
  • Books & merchandise
  • View all
RACS logo
  • RACS login
    Sign In
  • Become a surgeon
    • Key Information

      Key Information

      • About specialist surgeons
      • How do I become a surgeon?
      • Selection process and requirements
      • Admission to Fellowship
      • International surgical training
      • View all
    • Resources

      Resources

      • eLearning courses & resources
      • College events
      • Interest groups and sections
      • Scholarships and grants
  • Trainees
    • Key Information

      Key Information

      • Trainee Association (RACSTA)
      • The surgical training program
      • Surgical specialties
      • Examinations
      • Training post accreditation
      • View all
    • Education for Trainees

      Education for Trainees

      • Skills training courses
      • eLearning courses & resources
      • Specialist training program
      • Library
      • View all
    • Resources

      Resources

      • Training standards for surgeons
      • Surgeon wellbeing
      • College events
      • Interest groups and sections
      • Access Morbidity Audit and Logbook Tool (MALT)
      • View all
  • Fellows
    • Key Information

      Key Information and resources

      • 'Find a Surgeon' & 'practice card'
      • Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
      • Reports, guidelines & publications
      • Fellowship
      • Interest groups and sections
      • View all
    • Fellowship Education and Training

      Fellowship Education and Training

      • eLearning courses & resources
      • Skills training courses
      • Surgeon wellbeing
      • Professional development courses
      • Library
      • View all
    • For Educators and Trainers

      For supervisors, educators and trainers

      • Academy of Surgical Educators
      • Supervisor Support Hub
      • RACS skills & education centre
      • Become a mentor
      • Post-fellowship training
      • View all
  • SIMGs
    • Key Information

      Key Information

      • Pathways
      • SET as a SIMG
      • SIMG overview
      • Application process
      • SIMG assessments
      • View all
    • Education for IMGs

    • Resources

      Resources

      • Surgeon wellbeing
      • Maintenance of Professional Standards
      • Contacts, guidelines and forms
      • Member benefits & services
      • Access Morbidity Audit and Logbook Tool (MALT)
  • Research & audit
    • Key Information

      Key Information

      • Surgical mortality audits
      • Morbidity audits
      • Research & Evaluation, inc. ASERNIP-S
      • Laparoscopic skills training
      • Trauma Verification program
      • View all
    • Resources

      Resources

      • Access Morbidity Audit and Logbook Tool (MALT)
      • My audits
      • College events
      • Interest groups and sections
      • Books & merchandise
      • View all
  • Home
  • About
  • Media
  • Careers
  • Donate
  • Contact
  • Library
In This Section
  • Specialty society updates
  • RACS Examinations coronavirus (COVID-19) FAQs
  • RACS courses coronavirus (COVID-19) FAQs
  1. HOME
  2. NEWS AND MEDIA CENTRE
  3. COVID-19 information hub
  4. 2022 updates
  5. RACS courses COVID-19 FAQs

RACS courses coronavirus (COVID-19) FAQs

Coronavirus Frequently Asked Questions for RACS professional development and skills training courses.

On this page

  • Which courses are going ahead?
  • Are all courses going to be delivered in the same way as previously?
  • I need to complete a mandatory course. Will I be given priority access?
  • I’m already registered for a course; will my course go ahead?
  • Once I am registered to attend a course, should I book flights and accommodation?
  • What happens if I’m not feeling well or have symptoms? Will I be entitled to a refund?
  • I am worried about booking a course and then needing to cancel. Does your regular cancellation and refund policy still apply?
  • Can I travel to another region to attend a course?
  • I live in a locked down region. Can I still register for a course?
  • What precautions are you taking on the day to ensure safety and hygiene?
  • What’s the latest I can book into a course?
  • The course I wish to attend is full, will more courses be opened for registration?
  • What is RACS doing to engage with health officials regarding the delivery of COVID-19 safe courses?
  • Why aren’t there any courses available in my region?
  • Does RACS have a COVID-19 strategy?

Which courses are going ahead?

We are aiming to deliver as many courses as possible although some venues have fewer places available due to ongoing government physical distancing guidelines. Priority has been given to mandatory courses for Trainees and Fellows. Please see our Professional Development and Skills Training course pages for more information.

Are all courses going to be delivered in the same way as previously?

We acknowledge that COVID-19 has changed the way we work and how we will be able to deliver courses. We continue to explore alternative course formats, and development is near completion for several offerings.

Most courses have resumed in a classroom and/or laboratory environment. Please be reassured that RACS will comply with local guidelines and regulations including screening, masks, physical distancing and hygiene.

 

I need to complete a mandatory course. Will I be given priority access?

Yes. Priority will be given to RACS Fellows, SET Trainees and SIMGs.

Fellows who need to complete Operating with Respect (OWR) and Foundation Skills for Surgical Educators (FSSE) will be contacted to register prior to the course being made available to other Fellows.

The Skills Training Department opened registrations for 2022 courses in November 2021, please contact skills.registration@surgeons.org to express your interest in Skills courses.

I’m already registered for a course; will my course go ahead?

We are making every effort to run courses safely. The planning process is complex, and some courses may not proceed. If you are currently registered on a course, please wait for advice from the College regarding the status of your course.

 

Once I am registered to attend a course, should I book flights and accommodation?

We are making every effort to run courses safely. The planning process is complex, and should pandemic conditions escalate in a region some courses may not proceed. Please wait for confirmation from the course coordinator before you book flights and accommodation, you can expect to receive this confirmation four weeks prior to course commencement. 

RACS is not responsible for any costs incurred by event participants including, but not limited to, flights, transportation, accommodation, and any other fees and charges.

Access information about Australian travel restrictions.

Travel within New Zealand | Ministry of Health NZ

 

 

 

What happens if I’m not feeling well or have symptoms? Will I be entitled to a refund?

We ask that you follow current government guidelines if you are not feeling well or exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 including coughing etc. If you are feeling unwell, please contact us as soon as possible to discuss your attendance. Refunds will be considered on a case by case basis.

 

I am worried about booking a course and then needing to cancel. Does your regular cancellation and refund policy still apply?

Cancellation and withdrawal policies will apply as per the relevant policy for that event. These can be found on the RACS policies webpage.

If the course is cancelled or postponed due to COVID-19, RACS will refund participants the course registration fee. If an attendee is not able to attend the course for compassionate reasons (e.g. sickness or bereavement) the registration fee will be refunded. This will be determined on a case by case basis, please contact us as soon as possible if you are not able to attend the course. 

Please note there may be administration costs that are non-refundable. 

RACS is not responsible for any costs incurred by participants including, but not limited to, flights, transportation, accommodation, and any other fees and charges. 

 

Can I travel to another region to attend a course?

Due to the complexities presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, RACS encourages all applicants to attend a local course where possible. Some regions are very limited on course offerings and where possible RACS will prioritise local attendees in these regions. Please note RACS reserves the right to withdraw a registrant who is registered to a course outside the region where they reside in favour of a local applicant if required.

I live in a locked down region. Can I still register for a course?

Yes, you can register for our courses. However please bear in mind the complex evolving nature of COVID-19 laws and restrictions which may mean you are unable to attend some courses.

We strongly recommend all participants register for a local course to reduce unnecessary travel. RACS is not responsible for any costs incurred by the participant due to cancellation, changes to, disruption of or inability to conduct the course. This includes, but is not limited to, flights, transportation, accommodation, mandatory quarantine costs and any other fees and charges. 

What precautions are you taking on the day to ensure safety and hygiene?

The safety of our stakeholders is our highest priority. Each venue and course will have specific regulations for screening, masks, physical distancing and hygiene. We will operate within the current government public safety guidelines. You may be required to undergo testing prior to, or during, an event.

What’s the latest I can book into a course?

Course registration closes once the course is full or three weeks prior to course commencement. This is to allow adequate revision and preparation time. In some instances, when courses have not filled, we will leave the registration open for a bit longer. 

The course I wish to attend is full, will more courses be opened for registration?

We will continue to monitor course registrations and endeavour to add new dates to meet demand. Please register for our mailing lists via the links below and we will contact you to advise when places become available for registration on courses.

Professional Development courses mailing list

Skills Training courses mailing list
 

What is RACS doing to engage with health officials regarding the delivery of COVID-19 safe courses?

The safety of our stakeholders is our highest priority, we are communicating with the appropriate health department in each region (Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand) to engage them in RACS plans for safe course delivery. Each region will have regulations for screening, physical distancing and hygiene. We will operate within the local government guidelines.

Why aren’t there any courses available in my region?

Our courses rely on many factors which include travel by our volunteer faculty, venue availability and capacity to meet government regulations. We have a wide range of courses across many regions although it is not always possible to deliver in every region. We will keep our mailing list informed with updates about additional courses.

Does RACS have a COVID-19 strategy?

Yes, please view the RACS COVID-19 Event Safe Strategy (PDF 126.78KB). Note this document will be updated regularly as required.

Back to 2022 updates
  • Specialty society updates
  • RACS Examinations coronavirus (COVID-19) FAQs
  • RACS courses coronavirus (COVID-19) FAQs
Back To Top

  • For Patients
  • Find a surgeon

  • Home
  • About
  • Media
  • Careers
  • Donate
  • Contact
  • Library
  • Sign in

  • About RACS
  • About the College of Surgeons
  • About RACS offices
  • Global Health
  • Specialty societies & affiliated organisations
  • Surgeon wellbeing
  • Building Respect
  • College fees
  • Position papers
  • Policies
  • College events

  • Education
  • Skills training courses
  • Professional Development
  • eLearning courses & resources
  • Specialist Training Program

  • Become a Surgeon
  • About specialist surgeons
  • How do I become a surgeon?
  • Selection requirements
  • International surgical training
  • Admission to Fellowship
  • Fellowship
See all News

  • Rushed cosmetic surgery reforms risk doing more harm than good
  • Both parties clearly value your vote more than your life
  • Surgical training in crisis: "We're at the tipping point"
Indigenous motifs
Logo

  • Disclaimer and privacy