Vascular Surgery

Specialty overview

Vascular surgeons diagnose, treat and manage patients who experience conditions associated with the arteries and veins. Vascular surgeons treat a range of health problems, from spider and varicose veins to life-threatening aneurysms. Vascular surgeons additionally aid in the management of chronic conditions via medical therapy, minimally invasive catheter procedures and surgical reconstruction.

Clinical practice

Vascular surgeons work within both public and private health settings to provide preventative and curative specialised services across the spectrum of vascular conditions. Procedures commonly performed by vascular surgeons include angioplasty, atherectomy and stenting, arteriovenous fistula creation, carotid endarterectomy, carotid stenting, surgical aneurism repair and surgical bypass.

Key statistics

2023 QLD Training program selections(first year)

12
eligible

3
selected

Number of Queensland and Australian specialists

Number of QLD specialists

225

Number of Australian specialists

Number of Queensland and Australian new fellows

Number of QLD new fellows

Number of Australian new fellows

Number of Queensland trainees and average work hours

Number of QLD trainees

41.7

Average weekly hours

Information on specialists

41

Number of QLD specialists
0

Number of QLD new fellows
41.7 hours

Average weekly hours QLD
54 years

Average age QLD

Specialists over 60

This donut chart shows that 31% of specialists are aged over 60 years.
Specialist intending to retire by 2032

This donut chart shows that 46% of 2022 workforce intend to retire by 2032.
Location in Queensland

This donut chart shows the percentage of specialists by their location: 16.7% are located in regional Queensland, 83.3% 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

81.2%
male

18.8%
female

This doughnut chart shows the proportion of males and females. Males are 81.2%, Females are 18.8%.
Public vs Private

63%
private

37%
public

This doughnut chart shows the proportion of public and private specialists. Private is 63%, Public is 37%.

Information on trainees

9

Number of Queensland trainees
3

Number of new Queensland trainees
39

Number of Australian trainees
8

Number of new Australian trainees

Proportion female/male trainees in Queensland

66.6%
male

33.3%
female

This doughnut chart shows the proportion of males and females. Males are 66.6%, Females are 33.3%.
2023 QLD Training program selections (first year)

12
eligible

3
selected

This doughnut chart shows the number of 2023 QLD Training Program Selections (First Year). 12 Eligible applications were received, 3 of those were selected.

Number of Queensland trainees 2015-2022

What our staff have to say

Dr Ramesh Velu

Vascular Surgeon
Townsville University Hospital

Vascular surgery is the most exciting of all surgical specialties. As a vascular surgeon you get to do open surgery, endovascular procedures, ultrasound and medicine – making you a complete vascular specialist! Also, vascular technology is constantly evolving with procedures becoming less invasive. Why would you do anything else!

Training information

College

Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS)

Length of training

5 years full-time

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

Vascular 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 investigate and treat conditions of the arteries and veins. 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 Hand Hygiene Learning Module and RACS Operating with Respect eModule, 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 completed 8 weeks full time surgical rotation in General Surgery and 16 weeks full time surgical rotation in Vascular Surgery within in 7 years immediately prior. For the 2025 intake into the SET Program, successful completion of the Clinical Examination by date of application must be achieved. Further details are available from RACS.

Flexibility

Minimum 50% of full-time commitment however trainees must apply to the relevant specialty board by 1 June in the year prior to the proposed commencement of part-time training. Flexible training is available to trainees after satisfactory competion of 12 months of training. Training must be completed within 9 years.

Interrupted training

Trainees must apply to the relevant specialty board by 1 June in the year prior to the proposed commencement of the training in which the interruption will commence. Trainees applying for interruption due to medical reasons may do so at any time if supported by medical evidence. Applications for any interruption must be for a period of 1 training year. With the exception of leave for medical or family reasons, trainees cannot apply for leave in the first 6 months of their training.

Training locations

Last updated: September 2024