The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) is the principle body accredited by the Australian Medical Council and the Medical Council of New Zealand to conduct Surgical Education and Training (SET) in Australia and New Zealand. Surgical trainees are selected directly into the specialty-training programme in which they receive their specialist surgical education and training. Plastic and reconstructive surgery is one of nine surgical specialties governed by RACS.
Additional information about SET can be found on the RACS Website RACS SET Programme.
The New Zealand Board of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery is a committee of RACS, and is responsible for the development and delivery of the SET programme for plastic and reconstructive surgery in New Zealand. This includes the selection, hospital allocation, supervision and assessment of trainees, and accreditation of plastic and reconstructive surgery hospital training posts.
NZAPS has an agreement with RACS to manage the training programme in New Zealand and support the New Zealand Board of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Visit the RACS website for more information on applying to SET.
PRS Graduate Outcomes Statement
The New Zealand and Australian Plastic Surgery training programs aim to produce the highest quality Fellows who are capable of building on a tradition of skill and excellence in serving the community and the profession of surgery.
Further information can be found in the attached document.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Graduate Outcomes
Doctors who train in plastic and reconstructive surgery in New Zealand have had a minimum of two or three years of experience as a surgical registrar prior to applying for selection into the SET programme.
The programme takes a minimum of five and maximum of nine years to complete and trainees rotate among the five PRS accredited training hospitals in New Zealand. Trainees are supervised by plastic and reconstructive surgeons and undertake regular assessments. They are also expected to complete mandated courses and exams and attend annual training conferences. The aim of the programme is to produce competent independent plastic and reconstructive surgeons with the experience, knowledge, skills and attributes necessary to deliver the highest standard of safe, ethical and comprehensive care to the community.
On completion of the programme, trainees are eligible for Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) . This fellowship is the benchmark of a fully trained plastic and reconstructive surgeon in New Zealand and Australia.
It is common for surgeons to undertake fellowship positions overseas after obtaining their FRACS for further study before returning to New Zealand.
Questions relating to the NZ PRS SET programme should be directed to NZAPS via training@plasticsurgery.org.nz or (04) 803 3020.
Questions relating to hospital accreditation, training fees, examinations, courses, reviews, reconsiderations and appeals should be directed to RACS.
The training rotation dates for 2024 are:
Rotation 1 2024: 29 January 2024 – 28 July 2024
Rotation 2 2024: 29 July 2024 – 26 January 2025
The training rotation dates for 2025 are:
Rotation 1 2025: 27/01/2025 – 27/07/2025
Rotation 2 2025: 28/07/2025 – 25/01/2026
