Two years on from its introduction, Australia’s 2023 legislation protecting the title ‘surgeon’ reflects more than a decade of sustained, collaborative advocacy by RACS, the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and others. The reform is a landmark achievement in patient protection and transparency but also brings practical considerations for Fellows in using titles and qualifications consistently.

Amendments to the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, introduced in 2023, restrict the use of the title ‘surgeon’ to medical practitioners with specialist registration in recognised surgical fields. This closes a long-standing gap that allowed broader use of the title and, at times, contributed to patient confusion. The reform establishes a clear and consistent standard—when patients see the title ‘surgeon’, they can be confident they are consulting a practitioner with accredited specialist surgical training.

For Fellows, this is both an important advocacy achievement and a practical shift in how the profession is represented publicly. At its core is a critical principle—when patients see the title ‘surgeon’, they can be confident they are consulting a practitioner who has completed accredited specialist surgical training and meets nationally recognised standards.

This outcome reflects RACS’ longstanding position that transparency and patient safety must underpin healthcare communication. The College’s advocacy has consistently focused on supporting informed decision-making and ensuring that professional titles accurately reflect qualifications and scope of practice. The protection of the title aligns directly with these priorities, providing clarity at a time when healthcare pathways are increasingly complex.

While the reform is a clear endorsement of the profession and its standards, it also brings practical considerations. Fellows are encouraged to review how titles and qualifications are presented across public-facing materials to ensure they align with the updated legislation.

This may include:
• practice and clinic websites
• professional biographies
• social media profiles
• advertising and marketing materials
• business names and signage
• descriptions of staff within multidisciplinary teams.

The legislation also extends to wording that could imply a person is a surgeon when they do not hold the relevant qualifications. This does not change the ability of eligible Fellows to use the title; rather, it reinforces the importance of accurate and consistent representation across all communications.

For many Fellows, this will require little or no change. However, it may be particularly relevant when describing scopes of practice. The Medical Board’s list of recognised specialities and specialist titles (PDF 123.05KB) outlines the expectations of the regulator.  

Recent sector discussions, including reports of practitioners being referred to regulators regarding title use, underscore the importance of awareness. The intent is not to prescribe how individuals present themselves in every context, but to ensure Fellows understand the legal framework. This allows decisions to be made from an informed position, rather than in response to uncertainty.

RACS will continue to support Fellows through guidance on professional standards and the appropriate use of titles. For detailed regulatory guidance, members are encouraged to consult the Medical Board of Australia’s FAQ on protection of the title ‘surgeon’, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) FAQs. 

More broadly, the reform provides an opportunity to reinforce what the title ‘surgeon’ and ‘FRACS’ represents. It reflects not only technical expertise, but rigorous training, ongoing professional development, and a sustained commitment to safe, high-quality care. By aligning legal definitions with community expectations, the legislation strengthens both professional identity and public confidence. The College provides resources for that Fellows may use in their practices and advertising.  

Ultimately, this reform is about clarity. For patients, it simplifies an often complex landscape. For surgeons, it affirms the value of their training and the standards that underpin their work. And for the profession as a whole, it is a significant step towards greater transparency, consistency, and trust in surgical care.