Specialty overview

Paediatric surgeons diagnose, treat and manage conditions in foetuses, infants, children, adolescents, and young adults that may require surgery, including congenital malformations, abdominal wall defects, chest wall deformities and tumours. Many paediatric surgeons will further subspecialise in areas of interest, for example urology, burns or thoracic surgery.

Clinical practice

Paediatric surgeons work within both public and private facilities, to treat paediatric patients with a broad range of pathologies and conditions. Procedures commonly performed by paediatric surgeons include non-cardiac thoracic surgery, general paediatric surgery and paediatric urology.

Key statistics

2023 QLD Training program selections(first year)

2
eligible

0
selected

This doughnut chart shows the proportion of applications recieved vs applicants selected. Eligible applications received is 2, Applicants selected is 0.

Number of Queensland and Australian specialists

14

Number of QLD specialists

93

Number of Australian specialists

Number of Queensland and Australian new fellows

1

Number of QLD new fellows

5

Number of Australian new fellows

Number of Queensland trainees and average work hours

5

Number of QLD trainees

50

Average weekly hours

Information on specialists

  • 14

    Number of QLD specialists

  • 1

    Number of QLD new fellows

  • 50 hours

    Average weekly hours QLD

  • 53 years

    Average age QLD

  • Specialists over 60

    This donut chart shows that 25% of specialists are aged over 60 years.

  • Specialist intending to retire by 2032

    This donut chart shows that 50% of 2022 workforce intend to retire by 2032.

  • Location in Queensland

    This donut chart shows the percentage of specialists by their location: 20% are located in regional Queensland, 80% are in major cities, and 0% are in remote regions. The chart highlights that a vast majority of specialists are based in major cities.

  • Proportion Female/Male - QLD

    68.7%
    male

    31.3%
    female

    This doughnut chart shows the proportion of males and females. Males are 68.7%, Females are 31.3%.

  • Public vs Private

    18.8%
    private

    81.2%
    public

    This doughnut chart shows the proportion of public and private specialists. Private is 18.8%, Public is 81.2%.

Information on trainees

  • 5

    Number of Queensland trainees

  • 1

    Number of new Queensland trainees

  • 18

    Number of Australian trainees

  • 4

    Number of new Australian trainees

  • Proportion female/male trainees in Queensland

    20%
    male

    80%
    female

    This doughnut chart shows the proportion of males and females. Males are 20%, Females are 80%.

  • 2023 QLD Training program selections (first year)

    2
    eligible

    0
    selected

    This doughnut chart shows the number of 2023 QLD Training Program Selections (First Year). 2 Eligible applications were received, 0 of those were selected.

Number of Queensland trainees 2015-2022

This line chart shows the trend of the number of Queensland trainees from 2015 to 2022. The data points are: 2015 - 5 trainees, 2016 - 5 trainees, 2017 - 8 trainees, 2018 - 8 trainees, 2019 - 6 trainees, 2020 - 6 trainees, 2021 - 6 trainees, 2022 - 5 trainees.

Training information

College

Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS)

Length of training

Approximately 6 years full-time (competency based rather than time based program)

Method of allocation

College-selected trainees may be allocated to a training post by:

  • College

Training and assessment summary

For detailed information in relation to training and assessment requirements, please contact RACS.

Training program overview

Paediatric surgery trainees are selected directly into the sub-specialty and progress through the SET (Surgical Education and Training) program, an integrated program designed to provide clinical and operative experience to enable trainees to manage non-cardiothoracic surgery, general paediatric surgery and paediatric urology. The main components of SET training are placements in hospital posts, short courses (skills and specialty-specific), research and assessments. Upon completing all requirements of the training program, trainees may apply for admission to Fellowship of Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS).

Eligibility

Applicants must have permanent residency or citizenship of Australia and New Zealand at the time of registration and hold general (unconditional) medical registration in Australia or general scope or restricted general scope registration in the relevant specialty in New Zealand. Applicants are also required to have successfully completed the RACS Introduction to Operating with Respect module, and have passed the RACS Generic Surgical Sciences Examination (GSSE) at time of registration or by close of SET applications. In addition, applicants must have satisfactorily completed a total of 12 months supervised postgraduate clinical work in surgery in an Australian or New Zealand unit at Registrar level. Applicants must have also completed a minimum 10-week term in an Australian or New Zealand tertiary paediatric surgical unit composing full-time Paediatric Surgery workload within 3 years prior to application. Further details are available from RACS.

Flexibility

Minimum 50% of full-time commitment. Applications for flexible training must be made as part of the allocation process. Training must be completed within 10 years.

Interrupted training

Trainees must apply to the relevant Specialty Board as part of the allocation process (as per due date). With the exception for medical, carers or parental leave, trainees cannot apply for interruption for the first rotation of training.

Training locations

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Last updated: December 2024

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