Royal Australasian College of Surgeons

Royal Australasian College of Surgeons RACS is the leading advocate for surgical standards, professionalism and surgical education in Australia

The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) is a non-profit organisation training surgeons and maintaining surgical standards in Australia and New Zealand. RACS supports the ongoing development, maintenance of expertise and lifelong learning that accompanies the surgical practice of more than 7,000 surgeons and 1,300 surgical trainees and International Medical Graduates. Please note that use

of this page in any form is at the discretion of the College. Commercial messages may be removed without response or notice.

Surgical News features how international training is expanding Australia’s cerebrovascular expertise. Supported by a RAC...
02/06/2026

Surgical News features how international training is expanding Australia’s cerebrovascular expertise. Supported by a RACS Bongiorno National Network Younger Fellows Travel Grant, neurosurgeon Dr Michael Stuart is completing advanced training in complex bypass surgery at Stanford University. His work will help build a comprehensive cerebrovascular service in Queensland, reducing the need for patients—especially children—to seek care interstate.
Read more in Surgical News: https://bit.ly/4ut7tsV
https://www.linkedin.com/company/stanford-neurosurgery/

Surgical News highlights advocacy in women’s health. This feature explores how Dr Ailsa Wilson Edwards FRACS is helping ...
26/05/2026

Surgical News highlights advocacy in women’s health. This feature explores how Dr Ailsa Wilson Edwards FRACS is helping shape safer, evidence‑based medicines and devices as RACS’ representative to the TGA Women’s Health Products Working Group. From updating consumer information to addressing harmful products, it shows how surgeon‑led advocacy can deliver tangible change for women and strengthen national health policy.

Read the full article in Surgical News: https://bit.ly/48KT2Is

Therapeutic Goods Administration - TGA

Your research deserves its momentAre you looking for opportunities to showcase your research in front of an audience? If...
22/05/2026

Your research deserves its moment

Are you looking for opportunities to showcase your research in front of an audience? If so, here’s your opportunity to do so. Sharing your work can strengthen your professional profile, contribute to surgical practice, and connect you with peers across the College.

See below:
- RACS Tristate Annual Scientific Meeting in Darwin. Theme: Outreach & Reaching out. $1500 Travel grant on offer for the best free paper presentation. Submissions close Wednesday 27 May. Link: https://tinyurl.com/ycx99kns

- RACS QLD Papers Prize, with $1000 prize money on offer and Neville Davis Prize with $2500 on offer at InterContinental Sanctuary Cove. Open to medical students, junior doctors, trainees and surgical unit PHO’s. Submissions close 31 May via this link: https://tinyurl.com/4wsnt665
- RACS ACT Annual Scientific Meeting at Old Parliament House in Tasmania. Abstract can be on your own topic within the context of healthcare, with three prizes on offer. Submissions close Thursday 30 June via this link: https://tinyurl.com/67ds4muk

- RACS Tasmania Annual Scientific Meeting at the Tasman in Hobart. Four prizes on offer that recognises excellence in research. Submissions close Monday 20 July. Find out more at https://tinyurl.com/499um8dj

Hot tip: ensure you read the submission guidelines for each one before submitting.

We look forward to receiving your submissions.

To become a fully qualified surgeon takes over a decade of tertiary education and training, including five to seven year...
21/05/2026

To become a fully qualified surgeon takes over a decade of tertiary education and training, including five to seven years on the RACS Surgical Education and Training (SET) program.

It takes operating experience, technical skills training, research, workplace assessments, formal examinations, and much, much more.

Most importantly it takes dedication, passion and drive.

The journey to Fellowship also includes Specialist International Medical Graduates (SIMGs), who bring years of overseas training, experience, dedication and passion of their own.

For candidates, the clinical/viva component of the RACS Fellowship Examination is the final milestone in their journey to FRACS — becoming a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and an accredited specialist surgeon.

Last year, RACS admitted 236 new FRACS into the surgical community of Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

The next clinical/viva component of the examination take place from 23–25 May in Wellington and 29 May–1 June in Melbourne. The examiners' folders are being prepared and ready for deployment!

We wish all candidates the very best.

RACS Annual Report 2025 now availableDiscover a year of steady progress and delivery for Fellows, Trainees, and the comm...
21/05/2026

RACS Annual Report 2025 now available

Discover a year of steady progress and delivery for Fellows, Trainees, and the communities we serve. Building on the results of the previous two years, RACS has again achieved a modest operating surplus in 2025, reflecting the effectiveness of the financial management framework introduced in recent years to strengthen the College's balance sheet and ensure its long-term stability.

More than a financial snapshot though, the report outlines key outcomes across the whole College, including in education and advocacy, welcoming 236 new Fellows, improving training pathways, and expanding rural and global programs. With over $1.3 million in scholarships awarded, strong member engagement, and fee freezes for both Fellows and Trainees, 2025 was a year of achievement and a reminder that we're stronger together.

Read it here: https://tinyurl.com/57v7jkz6

20/05/2026

This National Volunteer Week (18–24 May) in Australia, we proudly celebrate our volunteers who give their time, knowledge, and compassion to our organisation and profession.

Hear from our South Australian-based vice president, Dr Christine Lai, as she gives her message of thanks to our RACS volunteers.

"The work that supports our profession, whether it’s training the next generation, examining, mentoring, contributing to committees, or engaging with our communities, is done by individuals who choose to contribute, often alongside already demanding clinical responsibilities. It relies not just on skill, but on commitment, and simply wouldn’t be possible without our volunteers."

20/05/2026

It's been two weeks since the 94th RACS Annual Scientific Congress in Perth wrapped up and we're still buzzing. Held from 30 April to 3 May, there was a packed program which spanned the full spectrum of surgical interest, from specialty-specific scientific sessions to special interest presentations, and cross-specialty keynotes and plenaries.

Convocation was a standout moment, with a standing ovation for Professor Mark Edwards after his George Adlington Syme Oration, The legacy you leave – a reflection for young surgeons, from a cardiac surgeon. Delegates were also witness to an Australian first - a live educational demonstration of remote-controlled, cross-continental robotic surgery.

Whether you joined the action in person or online, our conveners, Associate Professor Mary Theophilus FRACS and Associate Professor Robert Love FRACS, want to say a big thank you.

Missed attending the Congress in person? On-demand registrations for ASC 2026 are still open: https://bit.ly/asc2026-ondemand

Thanks to our generous sponsors of this event: Medtronic, Johnson & Johnson MedTech, Hologic, Device Technologies and our Destination partners, Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre and Business Events Perth.

International Museum Day was yesterday, but its relevance continuesDid you know International Museum Day began in 1977, ...
19/05/2026

International Museum Day was yesterday, but its relevance continues

Did you know International Museum Day began in 1977, when the International Council of Museums (ICOM) recognised the role museums play in fostering understanding, connection, and even world peace?

At the RACS building in Melbourne, we’re proud to be part of that story.

As we head into our centenary year in 2027, the RACS Museum in Melbourne offers a focused look at medical history, the people and innovations that have shaped surgery in Australasia and the stories behind it.

Plan your visit:
Open Monday, Tuesday and every second Wednesday, 10am–4pm
Free entry
Group tours of the historic College rooms and museum are available (booking required, small fee applies).

Contact [email protected] for bookings and enquiries.

Surgical News features Professor Eugene Ek, recipient of the John Mitchell Crouch Fellowship—RACS’ most prestigious scho...
19/05/2026

Surgical News features Professor Eugene Ek, recipient of the John Mitchell Crouch Fellowship—RACS’ most prestigious scholarship. His work is advancing joint-preserving surgery, using nerve mapping to better target pain, delay joint replacement, and improve outcomes for patients with arthritis.

Read full article in Surgical News: https://bit.ly/4uxv4sw

Nominations close in one week: Educator of Merit Awards 2026 Exceptional surgical educators don’t just teach; they inspi...
15/05/2026

Nominations close in one week: Educator of Merit Awards 2026

Exceptional surgical educators don’t just teach; they inspire, innovate, and shape the future of our profession.

The Academy of Surgical Educators is proud to recognise those making a lasting impact on surgical training and education.

Do you know a standout SET or SIMG supervisor, or a dedicated RACS course instructor? Nominate them today and help shine a light on their contribution.

Nominations close 22 May 2026. Find out more, including the link to the nomination form: https://bit.ly/4nsSSvB

Don’t miss the chance to recognise excellence.

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