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General information

General information about the Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery program.

The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) has overall responsibility for the training and education of surgeons in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

In partnership with the Australian and New Zealand societies of otolaryngology head and neck surgery (ASOHNS and NZOHNS), RACS determines standards for quality training and assessment of the specialty. These are constantly under review.

General administration

RACS is responsible for:

  • Management of all aspects of OHNS examinations during SET
  • Applications for the Fellowship Examination
  • Award of the Fellowship qualification
  • Handling of all complaints related to the above as well as handling of disputes and complaints related to training matters that can not be resolved at the Board level
  • Assessment of specialist international medical graduates (SIMGs)

The Australian and New Zealand societies of Otolaryngology Head and Neck surgery are responsible for:

  • Management of all aspects of selection and appointment of Trainees
  • Management and administration of the OHNS SET program
  • Hospital accreditation
  • Monitoring and reporting on Trainee progress
  • Maintaining a file for each registered Trainee
  • Organisation of annual Trainees meeting

Training matters

The Australian Society of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery is responsible for:

  • Organising Trainees' supervision
  • Organising hospital allocations for Trainees
  • Development and organisation of tutorial program
  • Organisation and supervision of temporal bone dissection

The Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery training program takes approximately five years to complete. A Trainee's performance will be closely monitored throughout each year and continuation in the program will be dependent upon satisfactory progress. It is recognised that there is variable progression through surgical training and an extension beyond five years may be required for some Trainees.

Trainees will rotate through accredited training posts at a variety of hospitals to obtain wide experience and secure progressive responsibility. The regional training committee in each state or in Aotearoa New Zealand will decide to which hospitals each Trainee will be allocated to, taking into account the preference, progress and requirements of a balanced training program. Experience in both paediatrics and head and neck oncology is essential. There should be a minimum of six months in each of these disciplines during the training period.