The P&RS Regulations for Selection are subject to annual review, and are published on Selection for training page annually in November. While notices of some changes are explained on this page and the Selection for training page, Applicants are reminded that they must rely solely on the published regulations to guide their applications.

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

Notices for the 2023 selection round (2024 intake)

Master of Surgery

18 March 2021 – By 2023, the Board intends to exclude online Master of Surgery degrees as being creditworthy for selection points.

2 February 2022 – By 2023, the Board intends to exclude online Master of Surgery degrees as being creditworthy for selection points.

A precise definition of which Masters programs will be recognised is being developed but is likely to concentrate on:

• original research
• lab-based research
• on-site classes
• assessment by thesis

25 November 2022 – First advised on 18 March 2021 (updated 2 Feb 2022) the Board has now excluded online Master of Surgery degrees as being creditworthy for selection points. Additionally the Board has added MPhil as a creditworthy degree

25 November 2022 – other changes

Rural Selection Initiative – The Board has introduced a new category for selection for applicants who can demonstrate rural residence, education or medical experience.

The Department of Health’s Health Workforce Locator must be used to show the health workforce classification and geographical information equal to MM2 through MM7 of the current Monash Modified Model.

Maximum Attempt Limit (see regulations at section 2.8)

Any applicant who, since 2020, has ranked Within the Band is permitted a fourth and final attempt – ASPS will advise applicants who reach this threshold.

Other applicants are permitted a maximum of three attempts, and thereafter are classified as ineligible for selection.

Minimum Eligibility Requirements (see regulations at section 5.6)

The RACS Clinical Examination (CE) is a pre-requisite for selection in 2023.

Referees (see regulations at section 6.3)

Referees are limited to a valid period of 2 years prior to making an application.

Minimum surgical referee must be 6.

Ward nurses and allied health (or equivalent) referees are not valid referees.

Theatre nurses are allowed as valid referees.

Notices for the 2022 selection round (2023 intake)

21 September 2021

Clinical examination is a pre-requisite for Selection from 2022.

22 November 2021
All associated documents for the 2022 application process are published on ASPS website (refer to Related Documents below). Applicants must rely solely on the published regulations to guide their applications, but some changes are highlighted below.

Application timetable (see regulations section 2.1) Application opening and closing dates have been revised.

Maximum Attempt Limit (see regulations at section 2.8) In 2022, some applicants will be unsuccessful for a third time, reaching the maximum attempt limit. All applicants are limited to 3 eligible attempts, in total, with one caveat.

Situational Judgement Tests (see regulations at section 2.9) SJTs are not implemented for application into SET for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (Australia).

Minimum Eligibility Requirements (see regulations at section 5.6)
The RACS Clinical Examination (CE) is a pre-requisite for selection in 2022. The Board has made allowance for applicants to provide evidence of a pass in the CE to ASPS by 20 July 2022. Refer to RACS website for CE registration dates. The Board determined that. If a pass is not communicated to ASPS by the advertised deadline, that application will be re-classified to “ineligible” status.

Minimum referee numbers have reduced from eight to six surgical referees. Nurse referee numbers are unchanged.

Referees (see regulations at section 6.3)

Referees are limited to a valid period of 2 years prior to making an application.

Minimum surgical referee numbers have reduced from 8 to 6.

Ward nurses and allied health (or equivalent) referees are not valid referees.

Theatre nurses are allowed as valid referees.

Notices for the 2021 selection round (2022 intake)

26 November 2020: Regulations for 2021 are approved and published online.

Important changes for the 2021 selection round

The Clinical Examination (CE) is not a pre-requisite for the 2021selection process (2022 intake). The Board has delayed the planned transition of the CE to be a pre-requisite for selection until 2022. i.e. the 2023 intake.

Relevant dates can be found in section 2.1.

Applicants will be limited to three eligible attempts (section 2.8). An “eligible attempt” is defined as an application that satisfies the Minimum Eligibility Requirements.

Referee Report will be conducted by remote interview (telephone or virtual). Carefully read section 6 of the Selection Regulations.

Valid referees nominations must not include current Board of PRS Members.

Notices for the 2020 selection round (2021 intake)

Important change for the 2020 selection round

Applications are limited to 3 attempt from 2020. Attempts made prior to 2020 are not counted towards the maximum attempt limit.

Notices for the 2018 selection round (2019 intake)

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Selection Initiative

One training position is reserved to support selection opportunities for candidates who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and who reaches the minimum standard for selection as well as scores within or below the cut off band. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders applicants who score above the band will be selected based on their regional preferences.