Industry Articles

ABC Radio Adelaide interview with Associate Professor Nicola Dean
April 18, 2023 Associate Professor Dr Nicola Dean, discusses why…
Continue reading
Timothy Edwards: The loophole allowing ‘cosmetic cowboys’ to put Aussies at risk
April 5, 2023 Read here
Continue reading
Crackdown on deceptive social media posts by cosmetic doctors
April 4, 2023 Read here
Continue readingMedia Releases

RACS response to ACCSM claim
ASPS supports RACS wishes to correct some of the claims…
Continue reading
Medical groups response to AHPRA comments in The Australian of 31 March 2023
Read here
Continue reading
Combined Statement; RACS and specialties media release on cosmetic surgery endorsement
Read here
Continue readingIndustry Videos

Dr Siobhan Fitzpatrick’s 3M Thesis – Repairing the Gap
Dr Siobhan Fitzpatrick is a dedicated young doctor, on the…
Continue reading
Trainee Dr Shivani Aggarwala – Why did you want to become a Specialist Plastic Surgeon?
Continue reading

about us
Patient Safety: Plastic Surgery Regulation
The Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons understands the many different options patients have when considering plastic surgery. This includes who to ask for advice or recommendations, how to select the best surgeon, as well as understanding what is actually involved to ensure your safety. Making these life-changing decisions can be daunting if you don’t know where to turn.
Only Specialist Plastic Surgeons are accredited by the Commonwealth Government of Australia, through the Australian Medical Council, to perform all reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgery.
Click on the Find a Surgeon button below to help you find an accredited Specialist Plastic Surgeon and provide you with important information to make your decision easier.
FIND A SURGEON
The highest quality plastic surgery care for all Australians
Is your surgeon qualified to be called a “Specialist Plastic Surgeon”?
Currently in Australia, it is legal for any doctor with a basic medical degree to perform surgery. However, only Specialist Plastic Surgeons have a minimum of 12 years medical and surgical education, including 5 years of specialist postgraduate training in plastic and reconstructive surgery. Understand the training pathway for a Specialist Surgeon by reading the “recipe for a specialist surgeon” here.
Important to know: When deciding on your surgeon, remember that the Medical Board of Australia states that the “Specialist Plastic Surgeon” title can only be used by Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) – approved specialist surgeons within the recognised specialty of Plastic Surgery.

Australian Breast Device Registry (ABDR)
The Australian Breast Device Registry (ABDR) is run by Monash University. Patients and health care practitioners looking for information on the new ABDR click below.
FIND OUT MOREWhat is Plastic Surgery?
Reconstructive plastic surgery is concerned with improving bodily function and performed on abnormal structures of the body caused by congenital defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma, infection, tumours or disease.
Cosmetic plastic surgery is designed to improve a person’s aesthetic appearance by altering or reshaping a bodily feature whereas plastic surgery encompasses both cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery.
Information for General Practitioners
ASPS understands that the General Practitioner’s role in advising patients seeking Plastic Surgery is critical. As Australia’s peak body for Specialist Plastic Surgery, ASPS is able to help you guide your patients to a Specialist Plastic Surgeon who can provide the highest level of plastic surgery care, as recognised by the Medical Board of Australia.
We have also compiled reference material and questions that you can share with your patients to help them become more informed and educated about the processes involved in selecting a Specialist Plastic Surgeon and their procedure.
Training to become a Specialist Plastic Surgeon
The specialty of Plastic Surgery is one of nine surgical specialties governed by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS). Entry into the Surgical Education and Training (SET) program is highly competitive.
Trainees for Plastic Surgery are competitively selected based on their potential to become the best surgical leaders and ability to provide the highest quality of patient care.
READ MORE
WHO WE ARE
About Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons
Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons Inc (ASPS) is the peak body for Specialist Plastic Surgeons (both reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgery). Our main role is to protect the integrity of Plastic Surgery as a specialty. Our mission is to provide the highest quality plastic surgery care to all Australians.
READ MORE
Featured Stories

RACS response to ACCSM claim
ASPS supports RACS wishes to correct some of the claims…
Continue reading