Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (Board of Studies in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery)
Competition
Very high
Qualification
FRACDS(OMS)
Training duration
A dual medical AND dental degree first, then a minimum 4-year full-time OMS training program (maximum 8 years, in 6-month terms). Because both degrees are required, ANZAOMS puts the whole pathway at 16 or more years of training from the first degree.
Applications
A single bi-national (Australia and New Zealand) round each year, run by the RACDS OMS Selection Panel — not a RACS SET process. Recurring pattern: applications in April (the 2027 intake closed 30 April 2026), CV scoring in May, referee reports in May–June, multiple mini-interviews in Sydney in the third week of July, first-round offers late July, and final offers by 30 November. Check racds.org for the current round.
Selection format
RACDS publishes a fully weighted matrix, and each tool must independently reach at least 50%: multiple mini-interviews 45% (six 8-minute stations, about an hour, on expertise, communication, leadership, professionalism, and cultural safety), Professional Performance Appraisal referee reports 35% (at least 8 reports — 4 you nominate and 4 the committee selects), and a structured CV 20% (scored out of 21 points across 8 categories). A strong score on one tool cannot rescue a fail on another.
When to apply
Entry comes later than any other surgical specialty because you must first hold full, unconditional medical AND dental registration, plus at least 12 months of PGY2+ rotations in surgery or acute care. Note: the RACDS Primary Examination is NOT a mandatory gate for OMS — it is only a 2-point CV bonus (unlike the RACDS dental programs where it is compulsory).
Competition
Arguably the most structurally exclusive surgical pathway in Australia and New Zealand. There are only 6 accredited regional training centres, and the eligibility gate alone — full medical AND dental registration plus 12 months of surgical experience — filters the field to a tiny pool of dual-qualified doctors before the scored competition even begins. RACDS does not publish a national quota.
Selection criteria
Clinical experience
Rotations, logbooks, procedures, and exposure
- Clinical experience — at least 12 months of PGY2+ rotations in surgery or acute care (or 9 months of an approved rotation), with no more than 6 months in OMS if it is your only postgraduate surgical year
- Training program — a minimum 4-year full-time program (maximum 8) across one of 6 accredited regional training centres in Australia and New Zealand, in 6-month terms
Rural & regional
Rural, regional, and remote experience
Nothing captured yet — verify with RACDS.
First Nations
Selection points and pathways for Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and Māori applicants
- First Nations and rural — Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, Māori, and Pacific applicants progress automatically to interview and gain a CV point; rural origin or experience also adds a CV point
Academic
Exams, qualifications, courses, and teaching
- Examinations — a Foundation Examination in OMS year 1 (written and clinical vivas, 3 attempts) and a Fellowship Examination in the final 18 months (all components passed in one diet)
Publications & research
Papers, impact factor, audits, and QI
- Research — publications, presentations, courses, and qualifications are scored within the CV, but only if completed in the last 5 years
Extracurricular
Leadership and roles beyond clinical work
Nothing captured yet — verify with RACDS.
Distinction
Prizes, awards, and academic standing
Nothing captured yet — verify with RACDS.
Eligibility & application
Prerequisites, referees, interviews, and fees
- Eligibility — you must hold full, unconditional registration as BOTH a medical practitioner and a dentist (the dual-degree requirement), plus Australian or New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency
- Multiple mini-interviews — 45% of the score: six 8-minute stations (about an hour) on expertise, communication, leadership, professionalism, and cultural safety; minimum 50% to progress
- Referee reports — 35% of the score: at least 8 Professional Performance Appraisal reports (4 you nominate plus 4 the committee selects); minimum 50%
- Structured CV — 20% of the score, out of 21 points across 8 categories (qualifications and academic 6, courses 2, presentations 2, publications 3, surgical experience 3, leadership 1, awards 2, selection initiatives 2)
- Each tool gated — you must independently score at least 50% on the interviews, the referee reports, and the CV; a strong score on one cannot rescue a fail on another
- Primary Examination — the RACDS Primary (or an equivalent college exam, or the RACS GSSE) is NOT required to apply; it earns a 2-point CV bonus if held
Entry tips
Sourced from Australian medical community discussion. Always verify with RACDS.
Recent updates
The RACDS Accredited Training in OMS Handbook was updated to version 6.0 (effective 1 February 2026).
RACDS published a new unified OMS Selection Handbook (effective 26 November 2025) consolidating the former separate trainee-selection policy and CV-scoring guidelines; the CV table remains 21 points across 8 categories.
Indicative only. Check the RACDS website for current information.
Official resources
RACDS Become an OMS Specialist
Official eligibility and pathway overview, including the CV/referee/interview weighting
RACDS OMS Selection Handbook
Current handbook (eff. 26 Nov 2025) — eligibility, the 21-point CV table, and key dates
RACDS Accredited Training in OMS Handbook
Training program handbook (v6.0) — duration, exams, progression, and Fellowship
ANZAOMS Becoming an OMS
The professional society dual-pathway (dental-first / medical-first) explainer
Dental Board — Specialist Registration
OMS is one of the approved dental specialties — specialist registration requirements
State workforce data
Queensland Health’s medi-nav is the only state health department currently publishing the workforce and selection figures this section shows. We have not verified equivalent data for Western Australia yet — the selection criteria and requirements above apply Australia-wide regardless of state. See the Queensland figures.
Community discussions
Recent discussion about Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery training from Australian doctors.
Search r/ausdocs and r/doctorsofaustraliaRequirements, windows, and criteria change annually. Verify with Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (Board of Studies in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery) (RACDS) before making career decisions. Report an error on this page.