Updated: 8 October 2024

Trainees for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery are selected on a competitive basis. Strict eligibility criteria apply and are published annually on The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) website. The P&RS Regulations for Selection are subject to annual review, and are published on this page each November.

All enquiries must be sent in writing to education@plasticsurgery.org.au.

Review the archive of previous notices about Selection for SET rule changes.

Important Notices for the 2025 selection round

2025 Selection fee

8 Oct. 2024 – 2025 Selection fee is published. $990 in GST.

2025 Selection Regulation

8 Oct. 2024 – 2025 Selection Regulation for 2026 intake are published. See link below.

Maximum attempt limit (updated for 2025)

8 Oct. 2024 – Modified to permit 3 attempts in total with a caveat, being that where an applicant reaches the cut off band but remains unsuccessful that attempt doesn’t count toward the maximum limit.  This change applies retrospectively to 2020. All impacted previous applicants have been informed of their updated attempt limits.

Points for surgical experience (2024 – 2026)

1 Sept. 2023 – Over the next three years, the Board will align points for non-accredited surgical experience in both plastic surgery and non-plastic surgery specialties (includes any RACS Specialty and ObGyn, Ophthalmology, Max Fax and Dermatology). These changes are to enable a broader range of skills in the first year appointees while also facilitating lateral career options for applicants who reach the maximum attempt limit.

Surgical Experience Category (following consideration for minimum eligibility)	Existing points 2023 (2024 intake)	2024 (2025 intake) points	2025 (2026 intake) points	2026 (2027 intake) points
Registrar level or higher (PGY2+) experience in P&RS over the last five (5) years (regulation 2.1).	15 points per half year (26 weeks)	No change	15 points per six month period (maximum 45 points)	15 points per six month period (maximum 30 points)
Accredited SET experience NOT in P&RS over the last five (5) years (regulation 2.1).	15 points per half year (26 weeks)	No change	No change	No change
Registrar level or higher (PGY3+) experience NOT in P&RS and NOT in SET, over the last five (5) years (regulation 2.1).	5 points per half year (26 weeks)	15 points per six month period (maximum 30 points)	15 points per six month period (maximum 30 points)	15 points per six month period (maximum 30 points)
Resident Level or higher (PGY2+) in PRS in last 5 years (five years prior to the closing date). Experience counted towards the 10 week entry requirement is not eligible for points.	3 points per 10 week rotation	No change	No change	No change

Related documents:

• 2025 Selection Regulations for Selection into 2026 SET Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery program: Download
  (Previous year: 2024 Selection Regulations Download)
  
• 2025 Selection Contact Nomination Details: TBA (Only use Microsoft Excel to edit this file)
• Interview Declaration: Download
• Interview Guide for Candidates: Download
• Training Agreement (TBA)
• Training Variation (TBA)

Key Dates for 2025

Selection Registration Opens (RACS)	Tuesday 7 January 2025 12:00pm AEDT
Selection Registration Closes (RACS)	Friday 31 January 2025 12:00pm AEDT
Selection Application Opens (ASPS)	Monday 24 February 2025 12:00pm AEDT
Selection Application Closes (ASPS)	Monday 24 March 2025 12:00pm AEDT
Referee Reporting	May 2025 (evenings Mon-Thu)
Interviews (virtual)	June 2025 – all conducted virtually mid-week. Day TBC
Last Date for First Round Offers	Friday 25 July 2025
Last Date for Final Offers	Friday 7 November 2025

Application Fee

All applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee which must be paid at the time of application.

The 2025 fee is $990 (in GST).

Support for Applicants

Should the SET application process raise difficulties for you or feeling that you do not know how to deal with, ASPS suggests you to seek out support and advice from these or other related organisations.

Beyond Blue support services:

• 1300 22 4636
• Chat online
• Email
• Online forums

Lifeline:

• 13 11 14
• Crisis support chat
• Help resources
• If life is in danger CALL 000