Vascular Surgery
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (selection coordinated by ANZSVS)
Competition
Very high
Qualification
FRACS (Vascular Surgery)
Training duration
5 years SET
Applications
RACS registration 6–30 January. ANZSVS vascular surgery applications 23 February – 23 March. Interviews 20 June. Outcome notification 15 July.
Selection format
Semi-structured interview (40% of total score). Selection is scored: Structured CV 25%, Written Referee Reports 25%, Verbal Referee Reports 10%, Interview 40%. Candidates are shortlisted for interview at a ratio of 3 applicants per available position.
When to apply
Surgical experience across vascular, cardiothoracic, and general surgery settings is expected before applying. GSSE must be passed.
Competition
Vascular surgery has very few training positions nationally. Shortlisting is based on combined CV and referee report scores before interview is offered.
Selection criteria
Clinical experience
Rotations, logbooks, procedures, and exposure
- Vascular surgery exposure — rotations, electives, or vascular research
- Clinical rotations — vascular, general surgery, cardiothoracic, cardiology, ENT, plastics, neurosurgery, orthopaedics, urology, ICU, and emergency terms score 1 point per 10 weeks in the structured CV
Rural & regional
Rural, regional, and remote experience
- Rural and regional residency and training — up to 4 points in the structured CV (ANZSVS CV Scoring Guidelines)
First Nations
Selection points and pathways for Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and Māori applicants
- First Nations and cultural engagement points — 1 point for the three JDocs Cultural Safety courses; up to 2 points for 12+ months of engagement with Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, or Māori communities
Academic
Exams, qualifications, courses, and teaching
- GSSE (Generic Surgical Science Examination) — prerequisite for RACS registration
Publications & research
Papers, impact factor, audits, and QI
- Research or audit output
Extracurricular
Leadership and roles beyond clinical work
Nothing captured yet — verify with RACS / ANZSVS.
Distinction
Prizes, awards, and academic standing
Nothing captured yet — verify with RACS / ANZSVS.
Eligibility & application
Prerequisites, referees, interviews, and fees
- Semi-structured interview — 40% of total selection score, the highest-weighted single component
- Structured CV — 25% of score (operative logbook, research, teaching, rural exposure)
- Written Referee Reports — 25% of score, from FRACS-credentialled surgeons
- Verbal Referee Reports — 10% of score
Entry tips
Sourced from Australian medical community discussion. Always verify with RACS / ANZSVS.
Recent updates
Re-verified against anzsvs.org.au: scoring weightings confirmed exactly (Semi-Structured Interview 40%, Structured CV 25%, Written Referee Reports 25%, Verbal Referee Reports 10%; 3:1 shortlist ratio). Per the ANZSVS CV Scoring Guidelines: listed clinical rotations score 1 point per 10 weeks; rural/regional residency and training up to 4 points; JDocs ATSI Cultural Safety courses 1 point; ATSI/Māori community engagement up to 2 points. Applications via www.vascularsurgeryapplications.com.au; shortlist notified 10 business days before interview.
2026 selection round: ANZSVS applications 23 Feb – 23 Mar 2026, interviews 20 June 2026, offers 15 July 2026.
ANZSVS confirmed Clinical Examination removed as prerequisite from 2028 intake. Verify current year requirements on ANZSVS website.
Indicative only. Check the RACS / ANZSVS website for current information.
Official resources
State workforce data
2026 first-year selection
3 of 5
eligible applicants selected
- Specialists in QLD
- 40 / 234 AU
- Trainees in QLD
- 9
- New fellows in QLD
- 2 / 10 AU
- Average week
- 41.7 hrs
How you reach a post
- The college itself
- Five applicants were eligible and three selected in the published 2026 Queensland round — the highest proportion appointed of any surgical specialty here, from a very small pool
- At 41.7 hours, the shortest average working week of the surgical specialties in this source
- SET runs five years full-time
- Allocated by the college through the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons SET selection process, not by a Queensland Health pathway or facility — the reverse of most physician specialties in Queensland, where a centralised state-wide network controls entry
Queensland figures published by Queensland Health (medi-nav). Selection numbers are for first-year entry and vary year to year — confirm the current round with the college and with Queensland Health before relying on them.
Community discussions
Recent discussion about Vascular Surgery training from Australian doctors.
Search r/ausdocs and r/doctorsofaustraliaRequirements, windows, and criteria change annually. Verify with Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (selection coordinated by ANZSVS) (RACS / ANZSVS) before making career decisions. Report an error on this page.