Overview of Training Posts

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery trainees undertake training in accredited Hospital Training Posts across Australia. These posts are located in major public teaching hospitals and in approved private sector settings.

All training posts are accredited by the Australian Board of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery against nationally consistent standards aligned with the Australian Medical Council Model Standards for specialist medical training settings. Accreditation assesses trainee health and welfare, supervision and governance, clinical exposure, and access to appropriate facilities and equipment. Posts are subject to regular reaccreditation and ongoing monitoring to ensure they continue to meet these standards.

Training posts are structured to provide trainees with the depth, volume and breadth of clinical experience required to meet the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery curriculum. Rotations are designed to ensure exposure across the full reconstructive and aesthetic scope of practice during the formal pre Fellowship training period.

Supervision is provided by Fellows of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Accredited posts must demonstrate effective and timely supervision, clear educational governance and safe working environments. This ensures high quality training and supports safe, patient centred care.

Public and Private Sector Training

Elective surgery in Australia is predominantly performed in the private sector. Commonwealth supported training places, delivered through the Specialist Training Program, have strengthened opportunities for trainees to gain experience in elective surgery within private hospitals and day procedure facilities.

Private sector training posts are accredited under the same standards and regulatory framework as public hospital posts. They are integrated within the broader training network to ensure trainees receive a balanced case mix and appropriate supervision across each rotation.

Scope of Clinical Experience

Accredited training settings provide experience across the full range of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, including:

• Hand and upper limb surgery
• Microsurgery
• Burns management
• Head and neck and craniomaxillofacial surgery
• Skin oncology and melanoma
• Breast, trunk and lower limb reconstruction
• Paediatric surgery
• Aesthetic surgery

Together, this national network of accredited training posts supports comprehensive surgical training while maintaining rigorous standards of governance, supervision and patient safety.

Training Sites

Accredited hospitals – download here.

Accreditation Process Overview

The Australian Board of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (the Board), supported by its Accreditation Subcommittee, is responsible for accrediting and reaccrediting Hospital Training Posts (HTPs) for the Surgical Education and Training (SET) Program in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Accreditation confirms that a hospital or training site meets the required standards to deliver SET training. ASPS administers the accreditation process on behalf of the Board.

Accreditation and reaccreditation are conducted in accordance with:

• The Australian Medical Council (AMC) Model Standards for specialist medical college accreditation of training settings

• AMC Model Procedures for specialist medical college accreditation of training settings

• RACS Training Post Accreditation and Administration Regulation (ETA-SET-043)

• Training Regulation: Hospital Training Post Accreditation and Reaccreditation

All training posts are assessed against four domains:

1. Trainee health and welfare

2. Supervision, management and support structures

3. Educational and clinical training opportunities

4. Educational resources, facilities and equipment

Each criterion within these domains is rated as:

• Met

• Substantially met

• Not met

Where criteria are not fully met, a risk assessment is undertaken using the Accreditation Risk Matrix to determine the outcome and any conditions.

Contact ASPS office for enquiries.

Types of Applications and
Application Timelines

Applications may be made for:

• Accreditation of a new training post – Applications must be received by 31 January to be considered for SET appointments commencing in February the following year. Late applications may be deferred to the next cycle at the discretion of the Board Chair or Accreditation Subcommittee Chair.

• Additional positions at an existing accredited HTP – Applications must be received by 31 January

• Reaccreditation of an existing HTP – Applications must be submitted no less than four weeks prior to the scheduled inspection date.

• Conversion of an unaccredited registrar position to a SET position – Applications must be submitted no less than four weeks prior to the planned inspection date and must meet the eligibility requirements set out in the Training Regulation.

• Out of cycle inspection – As directed by the Board

Application Paperwork

Applications for:

• new or additional posts, or
• re-assessment of existing posts, or
• out of cycle inspections

must be made on the online Hospital Accreditation Assessment form, or in accordance with instructions from the Training Board. See “Downloads” below

Materials supporting a submission, or to accompany the form, can be submitted via the online platform. Contact ASPS National Education and Training Manager to access the platform.

Applications for:

• conversion of unaccredited registrar positions into accredited SET positions at existing SET posts

must be made in writing by email to education@plasticsurgery.org.au, and include the requirements set out in the Training Regulation (section 5.3).

• Formal written application lodged by email to education@plasticsurgery.org.au.
• Predefined list of evidence:
  •  The last twelve (12) months of procedure-level detailed unaccredited registrar logbooks (including primary vs. assistant operator); and
  • Proposed SET trainee timetable, on call schedule, weekly theatre roster and outpatient department schedule; and
  • Written confirmation of secured funding per clause 5.3.c.ii.

Downloads

• Hospital Training Post Evidence Requirements – Version 1 (April 2026) PDF

• Application form details – Applicant details only. WORD

• Training Regulation: Hospital Training Post Accreditation and Reaccreditation – Version 3 (February 2026) PDF

• AMC Model Standards and Model Procedures for specialist medical college accreditation of training settings (external link)

• Training Post Accreditation and Administration (ETA-SET-043) (external link) PDF

Inspectors/Panellists should contact us to request a copy of these forms:

• Assessment Form for Accreditation of a Training Site
• Reporting template following assessment of a Training Site

Accreditation Outcomes

Accreditation decisions are risk based and align with AMC terminology:

New training settings

• Provisionally accredited

• Not accredited (refused)

Existing training settings

• Accredited

• Conditionally accredited

• Not accredited (revoked)

Accreditation periods may be:

• Up to 12 months (provisional accreditation)

• Between six months and two years (conditional accreditation)

• Up to five years (full accreditation)

Conditions may be applied where criteria are substantially met or not met. Monitoring requirements are proportionate to the assessed risk.

Reconsideration, Review and Appeal

If a hospital is not satisfied with an accreditation decision, it may seek reconsideration, review or appeal under the RACS Reconsideration, Review and Appeals Regulation (REG-2053). Read more from https://www.surgeons.org/Trainees/reconsideration-review-and-appeals (external link).