Media Releases
BREAKING NEWS: Queensland Government announces new laws to crack down on cosmetic cowboys
Published 12th September 2023 by the Queensland Governement Minister for…
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Medical groups response to AHPRA comments in The Australian
Medical groups response to Ahpra comments in The Australian of…
Continue reading Combined Statement; RACS and specialties media release on cosmetic surgery endorsement
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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.
Surgeon Accreditation
Only Specialist Plastic Surgeons are accredited by the Commonwealth Government of Australia, through the Australian Medical Council, to perform all reconstructive and cosmetic 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 coupled with 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.
What 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 improves 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
What we do:
ASPS understands that the General Practitioner’s role in advising patients seeking Plastic Surgery is critical and 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.
Reference Material & Resources:
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 the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) governs and entry into the Surgical Education and Training (SET) program is highly competitive.
Selection as a Trainee for Plastic Surgery is competitive and based on their potential to become the best surgical leaders and their ability to provide the highest quality of patient care.
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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) and 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.
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Featured Stories
Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons welcomes new laws restricting use of the title “Surgeon”
Sydney. September 13th, 2023. The Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons…
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