Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (selection administered by the Australian Society of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery)
Competition
Very high
Qualification
FRACS (Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery)
Training duration
Approximately 5 years SET (an extension beyond 5 years may be required for some trainees)
Applications
Single NATIONAL round administered by ASOHNS under delegation from RACS — applicants nominate one of 5 training regions for post allocation rather than applying to separate regional rounds. Recurring annual pattern: RACS registration 6–30 January → OHNS application mid-February to late March (12 noon AEDT close) → CV scores early April → referee and multi-source-feedback collection April–May → interviews mid-June → first-round offers late July, final offers early November. Check asohns.org.au for the current cycle.
Selection format
ASOHNS publishes a full numeric matrix — four weighted components summing to 100 (2027 intake): semi-structured interview 40% (3 rotating panels, 6 scenario stations, ~60 minutes), structured reference reports 35% (8–12 named surgical referees), structured CV 15% (scored out of 17), and multi-source feedback 10%. Each component has a hard minimum pass mark (interview 62.5%, references 50%, CV 50%, feedback 89% for the 2027 intake) — failing any one ends the attempt. Shortlisting to interview is on combined CV, feedback, and referee rank; no fixed numeric ratio is published.
When to apply
RACS states PGY3 is the earliest realistic application point, but the required prior experience usually pushes real entry later. OHNS-specific gates (met by application close): a GSSE pass, general (unconditional) AHPRA registration, Australian citizenship or permanent residency, "Introduction to Operating with Respect", at least 10 consecutive weeks in an OHNS unit plus 20 weeks in other surgical rotations, and at least 8 FTE weeks each in emergency and an approved intensive-care unit since internship.
Competition
A small number of accredited national posts (roughly 16–24 per year across recent intakes, per the ASOHNS past-offers table) are contested through a four-part scored process with a hard minimum threshold at every stage. No applicant-per-place ratio is published, but the structure — a 4-attempt lifetime cap, multi-week experience minimums, and 8–12 required referees — signals sustained high competition.
Selection criteria
Clinical experience
Rotations, logbooks, procedures, and exposure
- Clinical experience — at least 10 consecutive weeks in an OHNS unit plus 20 weeks in other RACS-specialty surgical rotations, within the defined pre-application window
- Emergency and intensive care — at least 8 full-time-equivalent weeks each in a dedicated emergency department and an approved intensive-care unit since internship
Rural & regional
Rural, regional, and remote experience
Nothing captured yet — verify with RACS / ASOHNS.
First Nations
Selection points and pathways for Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and Māori applicants
- First Nations — Otolaryngology participates in the RACS Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander selection initiative; 2 posts were reserved nationally for the 2027 intake for AIDA-eligible applicants meeting the minimum standards
Academic
Exams, qualifications, courses, and teaching
- Courses — EMST, ASSET, CCrISP, FESS, and temporal-bone courses are during-training requirements at Novice level, not selection prerequisites
Publications & research
Papers, impact factor, audits, and QI
- Research — publications (max 4) and presentations (max 2) are scored line-items within the structured CV; useful but capped
Extracurricular
Leadership and roles beyond clinical work
Nothing captured yet — verify with RACS / ASOHNS.
Distinction
Prizes, awards, and academic standing
Nothing captured yet — verify with RACS / ASOHNS.
Eligibility & application
Prerequisites, referees, interviews, and fees
- Eligibility — pass the Generic Surgical Sciences Examination (GSSE) by the application close; general (unconditional) AHPRA registration; Australian citizenship or permanent residency; RACS "Introduction to Operating with Respect" course
- Semi-structured interview — 40% of the score (3 rotating panels, 6 scenario stations, ~60 minutes); minimum 62.5% to pass, the single highest-weighted component
- Structured reference reports — 35% of the score, from 8–12 named surgical consultant referees (the head of department or supervisor must be included at an accredited site); minimum 50%
- Structured CV — 15% of the score, scored out of 17 points (surgical experience 6, qualifications 5, publications 4, presentations 2); minimum 50%
- Multi-source feedback — 10% of the score, from 5–10 nominated workplace colleagues on teamwork, communication, and professionalism; minimum 89% for the 2027 intake
- Fees and attempts — AUD $700 application fee plus AUD $1,000 interview fee (2027 intake, largely non-refundable); maximum 4 lifetime selection attempts
Entry tips
Sourced from Australian medical community discussion. Always verify with RACS / ASOHNS.
Recent updates
ASOHNS Selection Regulations for the 2027 intake (approved 17 Nov 2025) raised the multi-source-feedback minimum pass mark from 62.5% (2026 intake) to 89% — a substantial tightening.
For the 2026 intake, ASOHNS replaced the online situational judgement test (previously 15%) with a multi-source feedback component (10%) and raised the interview weighting from 35% to 40%; the CV "rural origin" point was dropped in favour of the Regional Training Nominations and Areas of Workforce Shortage / Rural Selection Initiative special measures.
Current cycle (2027 intake): RACS registration 6–30 January 2026, OHNS applications 18 February – 26 March 2026, interviews 13 June 2026. Recent national posts filled per ASOHNS past-offers: 19 (2026), 24 (2025), 16 (2024), 21 (2023).
Indicative only. Check the RACS / ASOHNS website for current information.
Official resources
RACS Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (SET)
RACS specialty eligibility page — confirms selection is administered by ASOHNS
RACS Generic Eligibility for Selection
RACS-wide prerequisites — registration, GSSE, citizenship, Operating with Respect
ASOHNS OHNS SET Selection
The authoritative current-cycle page — component weightings, fees, vacancies, and past offers
Medical Board — Specialist Registration
MBA specialist registration pathways
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 Tasmania yet — the selection criteria and requirements above apply Australia-wide regardless of state. See the Queensland figures.
Community discussions
Recent discussion about Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery training from Australian doctors.
Search r/ausdocs and r/doctorsofaustraliaRequirements, windows, and criteria change annually. Verify with Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (selection administered by the Australian Society of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery) (RACS / ASOHNS) before making career decisions. Report an error on this page.