Overview

The Post Fellowship Education and Training (PFET) approval process was established in 2009 to accredit programs conducted externally by providers who seek endorsement. The program has been developed by RACS in association with the Specialty Societies representing the nine specialties in which RACS trains pre-Fellowship.

PFET programs may be proposed by external Specialty Societies seeking accreditation by RACS. Proposals may be made by major Specialty Societies representing one of the nine pre-Fellowship specialties, or, by Sub-specialty Societies that have obtained sponsorship from the relevant major Specialty Society. Proposed PFET Programs are assessed by the PFET Committee in accordance with the Approval of Post Fellowship Training Programs policy.

Approved PFET Programs will be accredited for five years and are co-badged by RACS and the Specialty Society conducting the Program. RACS does not itself manage or administer the accredited PFET Programs; this is undertaken by the relevant Society.

This PFET accreditation process is limited only to those programs that seek accreditation, and does not preclude specialty societies from independently approving other programs.

PFET Committee

The PFET Committee (PFETC) was established to consider the approval and co-badging of education and training programs in sub-specialties of the nine specialties. The Committee is comprised of nominees of the Societies representing the nine surgical specialties.

The PFET Committee meets three times per year to access new proposals in accordance with the Approval of Post Fellowship Training Programs policy, and will make a recommendation to the Education Board for approval.

Accreditation Process

The steps for obtaining accreditation of a PFET program are outlined as follows:

1. If the proposing Society is not a major Specialty Society representing one of the nine specialties, sponsorship must be obtained from the relevant major Specialty. If it is planned for the program to run in both Australia and New Zealand, sponsorship may be required from both the relevant major Society in both countries (if it is not a bi-national Society).
2. Download and complete the PFET Program Application Form (Word 400KB).
3. Ensure all appropriate documentation is attached as per the checklist on the application form.
4. Submit the completed form to pfetc@surgeons.org by the submission deadline.
5. Pay the PFET Accreditation fee.
6. The PFET Program submission is considered by the PFET Committee. If the proposing Society is not already represented on the PFET Committee, a representative of that Society is invited to the PFET Committee meeting to make a presentation and to answer any questions from the Committee.
7. The PFET program submission is put forward for approval by the Education Board.
8. If approved, a letter confirming the accreditation terms and period is sent to the proposing Society.
9. The RACS PFET Logo is provided to the proposing Society for use.

Fees

A non-refundable PFET Program Accreditation Fee is payable by the Society proposing the PFET Program. This fee is charged upon receipt of a PFET Program submission.

The 2019 PFET Program Accreditation fee is:  Australia $3,430 (including GST)   New Zealand $3,875 (including GST)

Criteria for Approval of Post Fellowship Education and Training Programs

A PFET Program proposal must address the following criteria:

• Demonstrated need based on public benefit
• Justification on the basis of a specific and unique technical and scientific knowledge base
• Evidence that the proposed program provides education and training that is significantly more specialised than that currently provided at a generalist level in one or more of the College's nine specialty training programs
• A defined curriculum based on the College Competencies
• Evidence of deliverability of the proposed curriculum
• A defined requirement for clinical activity during PFET training (such as minimum logbook numbers, case-mix, primary/secondary operator level, operating sessions or outpatient clinics)
• In-training formative assessments
• A defined requirement for research during training
• Processes to assess satisfactory performance in training (including progression and remediation of unsatisfactory performance) and a mechanism to confirm satisfactory completion of training
• Appropriate mechanisms for identifying in surgical supervisors and educators
• Administrative support funded from program fees
• Consideration of workforce issues including the impact of sub-specialisation on the workplace
• Continuing Professional Development

The Program proposal must also include information on:

• The benefit to patient care
• Education standards consistent with the College's core competencies
• Infrastructure consequences for the College
• Standards of care

Approved PFET Programs

PFET Programs have been accredited by RACS in the following sub-specialties:

Cerebrovascular Surgery

The Neurosurgical Society of Australasia (NSA) Post Fellowship Training Program in Cerebrovascular Surgery was approved by RACS in August 2014, to provide training in both Australia and New Zealand. Details of the program, the positions available, and the application process may be found at the NSA website.

Colorectal Surgery

The Colorectal Surgical Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSSANZ) Post Fellowship Training Program in Colorectal Surgery regulations were approved by Council in 1992 and accreditation of the program under the current PFET process was formalised in March 2016. The Colorectal Surgery PFET program is overseen by the Australia and New Zealand Training Board in Colon and Rectal Surgery (ANZTBCRS) and provides training in both Australia and New Zealand. Details of the program, the positions available, and the application process may be found at the CSSANZ website.

Craniomaxillofacial Surgery

The Australian and New Zealand Society of Craniomaxillofacial Surgery (ANZSCMFS) Post Fellowship Training Program in Craniomaxillofacial Surgery was approved by RACS in June 2016, to provide training in Australia, New Zealand and a small number of overseas positions. Details of the program, the positions available, and the application process may be found at the ANZSCMFS website.

Gastric and Oesophageal Surgery

The Australian and New Zealand Gastric and Oesophageal Surgery Association was approved by RACS in February 2017, to provide training in both Australia and New Zealand. Details of this program, the positions available and the application process may be found at the ANZGOSA website.

Hand Surgery

The Australian Hand Surgery Society (AHSS) Post Fellowship Training Program in Hand Surgery was approved by Council in October 2011 (reaccredited 2019 for 5 years), to provide training in both Australia and New Zealand. Details of this program, the positions available, and the application process may be found at the AHSS website.

Hepatic, Pancreatic and Biliary Surgery

The Australia New Zealand Hepatic, Pancreatic and Biliary Association (ANZHPBA) Post Fellowship Training Program in Hepatic, Pancreatic and Biliary surgery was approved by Council in February 2016, to provide training in both Australia and New Zealand. Details of this program, the positions available, and the application process may be found at the ANZHPBA website.

Paediatric Neurosurgery

The Neurosurgical Society of Australasia (NSA) Post Fellowship Training Program in Paediatric Neurosurgery was approved by RACS in June 2014, to provide training in both Australia and New Zealand. Details of the program, the positions available, and the application process may be found at the NSA website.

Spinal Surgery

The Neurosurgical Society of Australasia (NSA) and the Australian Orthopaedic Association's (AOA) joint Post Fellowship Training Program in Spinal Surgery was approved by RACS in October 2014. Details of the program, the positions available, and the application process may be found at the NSA website.

Transplantation Surgery

General Surgeons Australia's (GSA) Post Fellowship Training Program in Transplantation Surgery was approved by RACS in April 2015, to provide training in both Australia and New Zealand. Details of the program, the positions available, and the application process may be found at the GSA website.

Related Policies

Access policies related to post fellowship training.

Contact

Executive Officer
Post Fellowship Education and Training Committee 

Royal Australasian College of Surgeons
College of Surgeons' Gardens
250-290 Spring Street
East Melbourne VIC 3002 Australia

Telephone: +61 3 9276 7418
Fax: +61 3 9249 1240
Email: pfetc@surgeons.org