Vascular surgeons treat diseases of the arteries and veins, including aortic aneurysms, blocked leg arteries, carotid disease, varicose veins and dialysis access. They use medicines, catheter procedures through a small puncture and open operations to repair or bypass the vessel.
Citizenship and residency: Australian or Aotearoa New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency, held when you register with RACSRoyal Australasian College of Surgeons
Registration: general registration with the Medical Board of Australia with no conditions, or general scope registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand, held when you register with RACSRoyal Australasian College of Surgeons
Generic Surgical Sciences Examination: the RACSRoyal Australasian College of SurgeonsGSSEThe Generic Surgical Sciences Examination, the RACS anatomy, physiology and pathology examination passed before applying to surgical training., passed by the time you apply
Surgical experience: 8 weeks full time in general surgery and 16 weeks full time in vascular surgery, each in the 7 years before applications close and finished by the close
Vascular units: each vascular rotation is in a unit employing two Fellows of RACSRoyal Australasian College of Surgeons as specialist surgeons, or one Fellow and a vocationally trained surgeon who works there every week
Which rotations count: at most two rotations of 4 weeks or more make up each requirement. Part time counts in proportion. Leave cover, relief, shift work and private assisting do not count
A longer window: if family leave, illness, research or a higher degree interrupted your work, write to the Board chair to extend the 7 years
Evidence: for every rotation in your application, uploaded with it. Nothing is accepted after you submit
Operating with Respect: the RACSRoyal Australasian College of SurgeonsIntroduction to Operating with Respect course, or the Operating with Respect module it replaced in 2023, done before you register
International specialists: vascular surgeons trained overseas apply to RACSRoyal Australasian College of Surgeons for assessment through its specialist international medical graduate pages, not to this program
Applications
Timeline
Next year
Applications
RACS registration for selection opens early January and closes late JanuaryWithout it, you cannot apply. Every RACSRoyal Australasian College of Surgeons eligibility requirement must be met when you register
When to apply
Apply in postgraduate year 2 at the earliest, to start training in postgraduate year 3.
Selection format
Structured CV
Referee report
Semi-structured interview
Preferencing
Rank where you want to train in the application. Posts are offered by rank and preference, and you accept a post anywhere in Australia or Aotearoa New ZealandHospitals
New South Wales: Concord, Gosford, John Hunter, Liverpool, Port Macquarie, Prince of Wales, Royal North Shore, Royal Prince Alfred, St George, St Vincent's Sydney, Westmead and Wollongong
Victoria: the Alfred, Austin, Box Hill, Frankston, Geelong, Monash, Northern, Royal Melbourne, St Vincent's Melbourne and Western Footscray
Queensland: Cairns, Gold Coast University, the Prince Charles, Princess Alexandra, Royal Brisbane and Women's, Sunshine Coast and Townsville
Western Australia: Fiona Stanley, Royal Perth and Sir Charles Gairdner
Competition
Very high
The number of places depends on how many suitable applicants there are and how many accredited SETSurgical Education and Training, the RACS training program. SET 1 is its first year. 1 posts are free. Three applicants are interviewed for each available SETSurgical Education and Training, the RACS training program. SET 1 is its first year. 1 post. Every application whose curriculum vitae is scored counts toward a limit of 3 attempts. Applications before 2021 do not count.
Program structure
Total training
7 years
From internship at the earliest: 2 postgraduate years, then the program
Training program
5 years
Usually, SET 1 to SET 5, one level a year
Fellowship
Year 7
From internship at the earliest
Throughout training
Term
6 months
Two a year, February to July and August to January, one accredited post each
Time limit
9 years
To finish every requirement of the program
Leave
4 weeks
At most in a 6-month term, or the term may not count
Part time
50%
Of full time at least, after your first 12 months
Training has five levels, SETSurgical Education and Training, the RACS training program. SET 1 is its first year. 1 to SETSurgical Education and Training, the RACS training program. SET 1 is its first year. 5, usually one a year. They form three stages: Early SETSurgical Education and Training, the RACS training program. SET 1 is its first year. (SETSurgical Education and Training, the RACS training program. SET 1 is its first year. 1 and 2), Mid SETSurgical Education and Training, the RACS training program. SET 1 is its first year. (SETSurgical Education and Training, the RACS training program. SET 1 is its first year. 3 and 4) and Late SETSurgical Education and Training, the RACS training program. SET 1 is its first year. (SETSurgical Education and Training, the RACS training program. SET 1 is its first year. 5)
The Board of Vascular Surgery places you each year, anywhere in Australia or Aotearoa New Zealand. You spend at least one year in a post in another state or overseas, and at most one year at any one hospital from SETSurgical Education and Training, the RACS training program. SET 1 is its first year. 2 to SETSurgical Education and Training, the RACS training program. SET 1 is its first year. 5
Rules and conditions
Give the Board your preferences for the rest of your training at your interview with it during the Trainee Skills Course. You hear your posts for the next year by July
Part-time training is approved one training year at a time, where an accredited part-time post is free. Apply by 1 June of the year before. Twelve months part time counts as one term, within the 9-year limit
Interruption is approved time away for one training year. It is never approved in your first 6 months unless for illness or family leave. Apply by 1 June of the year before. Work done during it is not credited
The Board can shorten your training for exceptional performance, with every competency rated achieved or exceeds. It can lengthen it after a borderline or not achieved assessment or lost training time
Accredited hospitals40 with accredited vascular surgery posts, 36 in Australia and 4 in Aotearoa New Zealand
AccreditationThe Board of Vascular Surgery accredits each post for up to 5 years, for SETSurgical Education and Training, the RACS training program. SET 1 is its first year. 1 or for SETSurgical Education and Training, the RACS training program. SET 1 is its first year. 2 and above, full time or part time. A new post is inspected on site, and decisions are confirmed each June
Your employerOnce placed, the hospital employs you, so arrange your employment with its supervisor of training and medical administration. Being refused employment by two hospitals can end your training
In the state7 accredited hospitals
Cairns Hospital
Gold Coast University Hospital
Princess Alexandra Hospital
Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital
Sunshine Coast University Hospital
The Prince Charles Hospital
Townsville University Hospital
Aotearoa New Zealand4 accredited hospitals: Auckland City Hospital, Christchurch Hospital, Waikato Hospital and Wellington Hospital
What every accredited vascular surgery post must give you
Operating lists
3
Supervised inpatient lists a week at least, or 14 hours
Major casesOperations the Board of Vascular Surgery classes as major, such as carotid, aortic, bypass, arterial and dialysis access operations. Varicose vein, soft tissue and minor amputation procedures are minor
100
A year at least that you take part in, or 50 part time
Rosters: on call 1 in 3
Cases as primary operator
20%SETSurgical Education and Training, the RACS training program. SET 1 is its first year. 2, first 6 months
25%SETSurgical Education and Training, the RACS training program. SET 1 is its first year. 2, second 6 months
30%SETSurgical Education and Training, the RACS training program. SET 1 is its first year. 3, first 6 months
40%SETSurgical Education and Training, the RACS training program. SET 1 is its first year. 3, second 6 months
50%SETSurgical Education and Training, the RACS training program. SET 1 is its first year. 4
60%SETSurgical Education and Training, the RACS training program. SET 1 is its first year. 5
Rules and conditions
A supervised outpatient clinic with new and follow-up patients, with at least one consultant present
Priority as first surgeon for the cases your training needs, and active involvement in endovascular surgery and vascular ultrasound
Hospital vascular tutorials and multidisciplinary meetings, with your clinical and on-call work arranged so you can join the online tutorials
A part-time post gives the same clinics, on-call, operating and angiography lists and inpatient care in proportion, with at least 3 supervised operating lists a fortnight
A training place free of discrimination, bullying and sexual harassment, with a clear way to make a complaint that protects the person who makes it
A private study area away from clinical work, a tutorial room when you need one, and skills training equipment in the hospital network
Time for research and scholarly work, and access to educational activities outside the hospital
Imaging for endovascular work and vascular ultrasound, on or off site, with an emergency department and an intensive care unit in the hospital
Dosimeters, with your radiation exposure monitored by the hospital
Surgical audit and morbidity and mortality meetings, and an active audit program in the hospital
Access to counselling and human resources services, and part-time or job-sharing arrangements under the hospital's employment policy
Supervisor of training
1
For each accredited post, a Fellow of RACSRoyal Australasian College of Surgeons the Board approves
Vascular surgeons
2
Trainers at least in every accredited unit, Fellows of RACSRoyal Australasian College of Surgeons or equivalent
Your supervisor of training coordinates your training, meets you for each assessment and reviews your logbook. Every surgeon in the unit is a trainer, and signs your in-training assessment where practical
Rules and conditions
Your supervisor is a member of the Australian and New Zealand Society for Vascular Surgery and, where the unit has enough consultants, not its head
Your supervisor tells hospital and theatre management whether you can start an operating list without direct supervision
Your supervisor recommends you to the Board for the Fellowship Examination and for Fellowship
Your supervisor is accessible to you, has time and resources from the hospital for the role, and has done the RACSRoyal Australasian College of Surgeons supervisor courses and Operating with Respect
Your supervisor and trainers take part in an audit the society endorses
Surgical Science Examination in Vascular SurgeryThe RACS written examination on the basic sciences of vascular surgery: anatomy, ultrasound, radiation, blood clotting, vessel disease and wound healing, in 120 questions of four true or false parts
Year 2 or 3
Sat from SETSurgical Education and Training, the RACS training program. SET 1 is its first year. 2, passed by the end of SETSurgical Education and Training, the RACS training program. SET 1 is its first year. 3
Fellowship ExaminationThe RACS final examination in vascular surgery: one written paper, then six clinical and viva segments
Year 5
In Late SETSurgical Education and Training, the RACS training program. SET 1 is its first year., the final examination
The Surgical Science Examination is sat in February or June, in ten cities across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, in two and a half hours. Vascular surgeons write it to the curriculum and set its pass mark after each sitting
The Fellowship Examination is run by RACSRoyal Australasian College of Surgeons. The written paper is sat in March or August, and the clinical and viva part follows in one city in May, or in September or October. Ultrasound is part of the written paper, the long case and the anatomy and imaging viva. Its standard is that of a consultant in the first year of practice
Rules and conditions
You have four attempts at the Surgical Science Examination. The last chance is the June sitting of SETSurgical Education and Training, the RACS training program. SET 1 is its first year. 3, and not passing by then can end your training
To be approved to sit the Fellowship Examination: the three courses, the Surgical Science Examination, the tutorials, the ultrasound requirement and the research requirement, all done, with a letter of support from your supervisor
By then you are expected to have done 600 major vascular operations in accredited terms, with a satisfactory primary operator rate
In-training assessmentA form your supervisor of training completes with the surgeons of the unit and discusses with you, rating each RACS competency Exceeds, Achieved, Borderline or Not achieved
3
A year, on 30 April at mid-term, then 31 July and 31 January, each with your logbook
Work-based assessmentsA consultant watches you see a patient, do an endovascular procedure or an open operation, or talks through a case you managed, and rates how much supervision you needed
4
With each in-training assessment, one of each kind
Ultrasound scanning
100 hours
Logged before the Fellowship Examination, at most 20 of them procedures
Ultrasound casebook
10 cases
One of each set scan, with images, report and commentary, before the Fellowship Examination
Rules and conditions
Work-based assessments: a consultation observation, an endovascular procedure observation, an open surgery observation and a case-based discussion
Logbook: every operation, endovascular procedure and ultrasound, generated from the Australasian Vascular Audit and reviewed by your supervisor. Recording a procedure falsely is misconduct
Casebook scans: carotid, lower limb venous incompetence, lower limb deep vein thrombosis, aorto-iliac, a stent graft with an endoleak or other problem, lower limb arterial, a bypass graft with a problem, renal or mesenteric, a dialysis fistula needing intervention, and upper limb arterial
The Board can use a 360 degree evaluation survey at any time
A borderline or not achieved mid-term assessment brings a performance management plan. A not achieved term is not credited, and you repeat it on probation. Not achieving competency on probation, or in three end-of-term assessments, brings a review of whether you continue
Research points
5
At least, before you are approved to sit the Fellowship Examination
Presentation or publication
1
At least, done during training
What each earns
3A PhD or doctorate in medicine
2Each talk at the society meeting, the RACSRoyal Australasian College of Surgeons Annual Scientific Congress or an international meeting, up to 4
2Each paper in a refereed medical journal, up to 4
1Each poster at those meetings, up to 2
1A talk at a state registrar meeting
1A paper in a non-refereed journal or online
0.5A published case study
Rules and conditions
A project of the Australian and New Zealand Vascular Trial Network can count, with the network's agreement to present it: 1 point for a state registrar meeting talk, 1 for each talk at the society meeting or the RACSRoyal Australasian College of Surgeons Annual Scientific Congress up to 2, 2 for a first-author paper, and 1 for each paper as a collective author up to 2
ASSETAustralian and New Zealand Surgical Skills Education and Training, the RACS two-day basic surgical skills course, with ten eLearning modules before it.
Year 1
By the end of SETSurgical Education and Training, the RACS training program. SET 1 is its first year. 1
Advanced Trauma Life Support
Year 1 or 2
By the end of SETSurgical Education and Training, the RACS training program. SET 1 is its first year. 2
Care of the Critically Ill Surgical Patient
Year 1 or 2
By the end of SETSurgical Education and Training, the RACS training program. SET 1 is its first year. 2
Trainee Skills Course
Each year
The society's annual course, which every trainee attends
Trainee tutorials
Every 2 weeks
Online, from March, in SETSurgical Education and Training, the RACS training program. SET 1 is its first year. 1 to SETSurgical Education and Training, the RACS training program. SET 1 is its first year. 4. Join at least 80%
ASSETAustralian and New Zealand Surgical Skills Education and Training, the RACS two-day basic surgical skills course, with ten eLearning modules before it. is a two-day course in basic surgical skills. Advanced Trauma Life Support teaches the first one to two hours of care of an injured patient. Care of the Critically Ill Surgical Patient teaches the care of an unwell surgical patient and spotting one who is getting worse
Advanced Trauma Life Support was called Early Management of Severe Trauma until the end of 2025
Rules and conditions
Trainees present the tutorials on set topics from the curriculum, up to three a year each, and supervisors of training and vascular surgeons lead the discussion. A recording does not count as joining
Your hospital gives you educational leave for the compulsory face-to-face courses
Stage by stage
Stage 1 of 3
Early SET
Usually 2 years
SETSurgical Education and Training, the RACS training program. SET 1 is its first year. 1 and 2, building the core knowledge and skills of vascular surgery, with the three required courses and the start of the tutorials.
Training time
Terms
Four 6-month terms, in posts accredited for SETSurgical Education and Training, the RACS training program. SET 1 is its first year. 1, then SETSurgical Education and Training, the RACS training program. SET 1 is its first year. 2 and above
Courses
ASSET
By the end of SETSurgical Education and Training, the RACS training program. SET 1 is its first year. 1
Trauma and critical care courses
Advanced Trauma Life Support and Care of the Critically Ill Surgical Patient, by the end of SETSurgical Education and Training, the RACS training program. SET 1 is its first year. 2
Trainee Skills Course and online tutorials
Each year
Assessments
In-training assessments
Three a year, each with four work-based assessments and your logbook
Primary operator
From 20% of cases in your first SETSurgical Education and Training, the RACS training program. SET 1 is its first year. 2 term
Stage 2 of 3
Mid SET
Usually 2 years
SETSurgical Education and Training, the RACS training program. SET 1 is its first year. 3 and 4, taking on more of each operation, with the Surgical Science Examination passed and the research requirement under way.
Training time
Terms
Four 6-month terms, including at least a year in another state or overseas across the program
Examinations
Surgical Science Examination in Vascular Surgery
Passed by the end of SETSurgical Education and Training, the RACS training program. SET 1 is its first year. 3
Courses
Trainee Skills Course and online tutorials
Each year, with the tutorials ending after SETSurgical Education and Training, the RACS training program. SET 1 is its first year. 4
Assessments
In-training assessments
Three a year, with primary operator rates of 30% to 50%
Projects
Research
Presentations and publications toward the 5 points
Stage 3 of 3
Late SET
Usually 1 year
SETSurgical Education and Training, the RACS training program. SET 1 is its first year. 5, the final year, operating with indirect supervision in most cases and sitting the Fellowship Examination. Once it is complete, you are awarded Fellowship of RACSRoyal Australasian College of Surgeons in vascular surgery, the qualification for specialist registration.
Training time
Terms
Two 6-month terms, within the 9-year limit
Examinations
Fellowship Examination
A written paper, then six clinical and viva segments
Courses
Trainee Skills Course
Each year
Assessments
In-training assessments
Three a year, with a primary operator rate of 60%
Ultrasound
100 hours logged and the 10-case casebook, before the Fellowship Examination
Curriculum vitae: the structured curriculum vitae in the online application, scored out of 50 by two members of the Board of Vascular Surgery. An entry without the evidence the guidelines ask for scores nothing. Score yours
Surgical and medical experience
Up to 6
Up to 6 points: 1 for each 10 weeks of rotations in the 3 clinical years before applications close
Surgery: vascular, general, cardiothoracic, plastic or orthopaedic surgery, otolaryngology, neurosurgery or urology
Medicine: cardiology, intensive care or emergency medicine
Which rotations count: 10 weeks or longer, done by the close, and not the eligibility rotations. Part time counts in proportion, and private assisting scores nothing
Evidence: a signed letter on letterhead from the hospital or employer, giving the specialty, the dates and any leave. Contracts, letters of appointment and rosters are not accepted
Qualifications
Up to 4
Higher degrees: up to 4 points for a degree in a relevant field of medicine from an Australian or Aotearoa New Zealand university, after your medical degree
PhD or doctorate: 4 points
Research masters: 3
Coursework masters: 2
Graduate diploma: 1, or for 12 months of full-time study toward a higher degree
3 points for Fellowship of RACSRoyal Australasian College of Surgeons or another completed specialist training, and 1 for more than 3 years in another RACSRoyal Australasian College of SurgeonsSETSurgical Education and Training, the RACS training program. SET 1 is its first year. program, within the same 4 points
Publications
Up to 9
Up to 9 points for work relevant to medicine from the 5 years before applications close, accepted in a peer-reviewed journal indexed in Medline
Article or book chapter as first author: 2 points
Article or book chapter with ten or fewer authors: 1
Article with more than ten authors: 0.5, up to 1
First-author case report, opinion piece or editorial: 0.5, up to 1
Not scored: abstracts and letters to the editor
Presentations
Up to 8
Up to 8 points for talks relevant to medicine in the 5 years before applications close, as first author and the presenter
Oral at a listed meeting: 1 point, two a meeting a year at most
Poster at a listed meeting: 0.5, up to 1
State or regional oral: 0.5, up to 1, at a meeting of the society, the Vascular Society of New Zealand or RACSRoyal Australasian College of Surgeons
Listed meetings: the meetings whose talks and posters countMeetings
Australian and New Zealand Society for Vascular Surgery Conference
Asian Society for Vascular Surgery Congress
Teaching
Up to 2
Up to 2 points for clinical or anatomy teaching in a formal role, such as a clinical tutor, outside your clinical job, in the 5 years before applications close: 1 point for 2 hours a week over 6 months, 2 for 12 months
Professional development
Up to 10
Up to 10 points for activities after your medical degree, in the 5 years before applications close
Society meetings: 1 point each, up to 4, attended in person: the society conference, the Vascular Society of New Zealand meeting and the RACSRoyal Australasian College of Surgeons Annual Scientific Congress
Listed overseas meetings: 1 each, up to 2, attended in person or online
Trauma and critical care courses: 1 each, for Advanced Trauma Life Support and Care of the Critically Ill Surgical Patient
Other surgical courses: 0.5 each, up to 1, for courses of 5 hours or more such as ASSETAustralian and New Zealand Surgical Skills Education and Training, the RACS two-day basic surgical skills course, with ten eLearning modules before it.
Achievements, leadership and management
Up to 4
Awards: 1 point for each scholarship or award of $5,000 or more at state, national or international level, such as a RACSRoyal Australasian College of Surgeons scholarship or a competitive research grant you lead, up to 2
Not scored: travel grants, hospital, network and industry awards, certificates of merit and "best" awards
Recognition: 1 point for a state or national award, or state or national selection, in sport, music or the arts
Leadership: 1 point for 12 months on a state or national government or RACSRoyal Australasian College of Surgeons board or committee, elected or co-opted, and 1 for volunteering with a registered charity at least monthly for 12 months, each in the last 5 years
Rurality
Up to 4
Rural origin: 2 points for living 10 years in all, or 5 in a row, in a rural or regional area from the age of 5. Remoteness Area 2 to 5 in Australia, or medium to low urban accessibility or remote in Aotearoa New Zealand
Rural experience: 2 points for 2 years or more of rural or remote work, in blocks of 12 months in a row, and 1 for each academic year at a rural clinical school, up to 2. Neither time counts toward rural origin
Cultural competence
Up to 3
Up to 3 points
Cultural safety courses: 1 point, for the three JDocs Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander courses
Community engagement: 2, for more than 12 months in Māori, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander communities, with a letter from an elder or representative
Organisation: 2, for more than 12 months in a Māori, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander organisation, such as the Australian Indigenous Doctors' Association
Referee reports
35%
For each surgical rotation in your application, list one to three supervising consultants, those who supervised you longest
Your referees: seven to ten of those consultants: four vascular surgeons who are Fellows of RACSRoyal Australasian College of Surgeons, and the rest Fellows of RACSRoyal Australasian College of Surgeons or vocationally registered surgeons
Who is not: a RACSRoyal Australasian College of Surgeons specialist international medical graduate on the pathway to Fellowship
Before you apply: tell each referee about the written and verbal reports, get their consent, and give a working email and mobile number. Never try to shape what they say
Written referee reports
25%
The Board picks four of your referees to complete an online form on the RACSRoyal Australasian College of Surgeons competencies. The rest are reserves, used in the order their reports arrive if three valid reports are not in by early May
Semi-structured interview
40%
You need 25 of 40 or more on this to continue
Selection interview: an in-person, semi-structured interview with six panels of two or three interviewers, 10 minutes each. Each panel asks set questions, then probes your experience and insight
Domains: what the panels explore
The RACSRoyal Australasian College of Surgeons competencies
Realistic self-assessment
Working as a member of a health care team
Acting ethically, responsibly and honestly
Care, concern and sensitivity to others' needs
Working well with peers, mentors, the health care team, patients and families
Scoring
Interview shortlist: your curriculum vitae and referee scores together rank you for interview. Applicants tied at the cut-off are all invited
Final ranking: the curriculum vitae, referee and interview scores make the overall score that ranks you for an offer
Feedback: if you are interviewed and not offered a post, you are told in writing your overall interview score, your overall referee score and your curriculum vitae score by section. No more detail is given
Reconsideration: if you think a selection decision was wrong, apply in writing within 7 days of being told. The Board chair reconsiders it on what you first submitted, and nothing new is added. Reconsideration, review and appeals
Review: if the reconsideration goes against you, ask RACSRoyal Australasian College of Surgeons within 14 days for a review by an independent panel, which can keep, change or overturn the decision
Appeal: after a review, you can appeal to the RACSRoyal Australasian College of Surgeons Appeals Committee, whose ruling is final
Choose a rural clinical school for at least an academic year, since each year there earns a curriculum vitae point, up to 2.
Postgraduate years 1 and 2
Do a resident term in vascular surgery, since it is where you meet the vascular surgeons who mentor you and bring you into research, and four of your referees must be vascular surgeons.
Clinical experience
Take 10-week terms in surgery, intensive care or emergency medicine in the 3 clinical years before you apply, since each 10 weeks beyond the eligibility rotations earns a curriculum vitae point, up to 6.
Rural experience
Work 2 years or more in rural or remote posts, in blocks of 12 months in a row, since it earns 2 curriculum vitae points.
Research
Ask the vascular surgeons you work with for a project you can lead, present it at the society conference or the RACSRoyal Australasian College of Surgeons Annual Scientific Congress, and publish it as first author, since a talk earns 1 point and a first-author article 2.
Courses
Complete Advanced Trauma Life Support, Care of the Critically Ill Surgical Patient and the three JDocsThe RACS framework of the skills and clinical tasks expected of junior doctors before surgical training Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural safety courses, since each of the first two earns a point, and the three together one more.
Referees
Work each surgical term as if every consultant may be called, since you list the consultants who supervised you in every rotation and the Board chooses whom to ask.
What the college has changed
2026-03
RACS held the last Clinical Examination in February 2026. From the 2028 intake it is no longer a prerequisite.
2025-09
From the 2029 intake, only one completed qualification is planned to score: a PhD, doctorate or research masters.
2025-09
From the 2029 intake, study toward a degree still in progress is planned to stop earning points.
2025-09
From the 2029 intake, the ASSET course, or a recognised equivalent, is planned to become an eligibility requirement.
2025-09
From the 2029 intake, skills courses are planned to stop earning points. A course required in training that you have already done is credited.
Workforce
Trainees appointed
9
Selected in 2025, for the 2026 intake
Successful median overall score
82.86
2026 intake, weighted
Median selection scoresThe median score of each group of applicants on each part of selection, with its weight in the overall score.
Swipe to see every column
Median selection scores
Score
Successful
Invited to interview
Not invited to interview
2025 intake
2026 intake
2025 intake
2026 intake
2025 intake
2026 intake
Curriculum vitae (25%)
17.75
18.5
16.37
17
12
12.5
Referee reports (35%)
34.77
33
34.53
32.7
20.18
32.29
Interview (40%)
29.5
32.86
27.14
30.48
—Not published
—Not published
Overall score
81.75
82.86
75.93
79.69
—Not published
—Not published
Trainees appointed by selection yearIncludes deferred offers.
Trainees appointed by selection year
Selected in
Trainees appointed
2019
12
2020
9
2021
Source: Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and the Australian and New Zealand Society for Vascular Surgery. Vascular Surgery Selection Statistics: median component scores for the 2025 and 2026 intakes, and past offers for selection years 2019 to 2025.
Requirements, application windows and criteria change every year. Verify with RACS / ANZSVS before making career decisions. Report an error on this page.
South Australia: Flinders Medical Centre and the Royal Adelaide
Australian Capital Territory: Canberra Hospital
Tasmania: Royal Hobart Hospital
Aotearoa New Zealand: Auckland City, Christchurch, Waikato and Wellington
Conditions: meet the employing hospital's requirements, agree to the program's regulations and accept by the offer's expiry date. A declined offer goes to the next applicant
Deferral: ask when you accept. The Board can defer your start by up to a year, and you can work outside training in that year, but it does not count toward training
Australasian College of Phlebology Annual Scientific Meeting
Canadian Society for Vascular Surgery Annual Meeting
Charing Cross Symposium
European Society for Vascular Surgery Annual Meeting
RACSRoyal Australasian College of Surgeons Annual Scientific Congress
Society for Vascular Surgery Annual Meeting
Vascular Society of Great Britain and Ireland Annual Meeting
Vascular Society of New Zealand Annual Meeting
Veith Symposium
Verve Symposium
Not scored: a case report or small case series, and a topic already scored at another meeting
Junior doctor framework: 1, for 12 months in JDocsThe RACS framework of the skills and clinical tasks expected of junior doctors before surgical training with every key clinical task
Not scored: state and regional meetings, and a meeting in Australia or Aotearoa New Zealand attended online
Valid reports: a report answering less than 80% of the form is invalid. Without three valid reports by the close of referee reporting, you go no further
Scoring: the percentage scores of the reports are combined into a score out of 25
Verbal referee report
10%
The Board picks two more referees, one a reserve, for a recorded 10-minute video call with two Board assessors, on the RACSRoyal Australasian College of Surgeons competencies. They are not asked for a written report
Valid report: if neither referee can give a valid report, through scheduling or not having seen enough of your work, you go no further
Scoring: the two assessors' scores are combined into a score out of 10
Cultural competence and cultural safety in caring for Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori peoples, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
Spoken communication, your preparation for vascular training and the overall impression you make
Panels: a community representative may be an interviewer, and an observer may be present
Scoring: each panel member scores you alone, and the scores are added
Selection priorities
: one SETSurgical Education and Training, the RACS training program. SET 1 is its first year. 1 post each, within the usual number, for the top-ranked applicant of two groups when none is in the first-round offers. You must meet every minimum standard and be invited to interview
First Nations: Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicants who identified at RACSRoyal Australasian College of Surgeons registration and can join the Australian Indigenous Doctors' Association
Aotearoa New Zealand: New Zealand citizens or permanent residents with a New Zealand address, who worked in its health sector 3 of the last 5 years and put it first. You are expected to train there for much of the program
