Surgical Education and Training (SET) Program

The SET Program in Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS) is the accredited program to obtain Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) in the specialty of OHNS.  OHNS trainees are trained at State Government accredited training posts throughout Australia. 

Specialist International Medical Graduates

Eligible Specialist International Medical Graduates (SIMGs), who wish to gain one of the nine specialty qualifications, may apply for surgical training posts.  For more information, visit the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) and the Australian Medical Council (AMC).

Australian Selection into the OHNS SET Program

Use the links below to access the relevant topic:

• Eligibility
• Selection_Regulations
• Modifications_to_the_2021_Regulations
• Key Dates for 2021
• Continuous_Review_Notifications
• RACS_Selection_Policies
• Application_Processing_Fees
• Aboriginal_Torres_Strait_Islander_Selection_Initiative
• Past_Offers
• Enquiries

 

Eligibility

Generic Requirements

Any person wishing to apply for the SET Program in OHNS must satisfy the generic eligibility criteria determined by the RACS. All generic eligibility requirements must be satisfied at the time of registration when applicants must also consent to a full criminal history check including the submission of relevant documentation if required. For more detailed information refer to the RACS generic eligibility requirements for selection.

 

OHNS Specific Requirements

• Any person wishing to apply for the SET Program in OHNS must also satisfy the ONS specific eligibility requirements outlined in SET Selection Regulations for the 2022 intake.
• Applicants are also required to submit the OHNS Selection Eligibility Form which must be completed by FRACS consultant who is a member of ASOHNS/NZSOHNS.

 

Selection Regulations

The Selection Regulations are subject to annual review and are published on this page each November. 

• Download the SET Selection Regulations for the 2022 intake
• Download the Guidelines to Selection
• Download the OHNS Selection Eligibility Form
• Download the OHNS Approved List of Emergency Intensive Care Units
• Accredited Intensive Care Unit Classification - General Units (CICM Database)
• Accredited Intensive Care Unit Classification - Paediatric Units (CICM Database)
• Download Rural Origin Template Form
• Rural Health Workforce Locator
• RACS A Guide to SET 
• Garnett Passe & Rodney Williams Memorial Foundation Academic Surgeon-Scientist Research Scholarship

 

Modifications to the Regulations 2022 Intake

• Commencing for the 2022 intake, Applicants will be allowed a maximum of four attempts at Selection onto the OHNS SET Program within a period of six years, the tally commences and is effective from the 2022 intake and on.
• Applicants will be required to participate in the RACS Situational Judgement Test Pilot 
• Publication Scoring:
  - Maximum 4 points
  - Case Reports are no longer scored
  - An article or book chapter where the applicant is the first author is scored 2 points.
  - An article or book chapter where the applicant is a second or subsequent author is scored 0.5 of a point.
• Presentations:
  - Maximum 2 points
  - Virtual meetings accepted
• Non-Surgical Referee process has been removed.
• The Board has introduced a special measure to give effect to the RACS Diversity and Inclusion Plan.  The special measure will ensure there is Substantive Gender Equality between Successful female and male Applicants.

 

Key Dates for 2021

 

Selection Registration Opens	Wednesday 6 January 2021
Selection Registration Closes	Wednesday 3 February 2021
Selection Application Opens	Wednesday 24 February 2021
Selection Application Closes	Wednesday 24 March 2021
CV Marking	April 2021
SJT Pilot	30 April 2021
Referee Reporting	May/June 2021
MMI Interviews	Saturday 19 June 2021
Latest Date of First Round Offers	26 July 2021
Last Date of Offers	12 November 2021

 

 

Selection Process

 

The selection process uses three selection tools, each contributing a weighted score as:

• Structured Curriculum Vitae 20%
• Structured Referee Reports 40%
• Semi-Structured Interview 40%

Only the top ranked suitable applicants will progress to the interview stage.  The number of applicants interviewed will be based on estimated number of positions available in 2022.

  

Continuous Review Notifications

The Board has mandated the future changes to CV Scoring:

• 2023 Intake:  A Masters degree by research or thesis will count for 1 point.
• 2025 Intake:  A PhD relevant or not relevant to medicine will count for 2 points.

 

RACS Selection Policies

• Registration for Selection into Surgical Education and Training
• Selection to Surgical Education and Training
• Reconsideration, Review and Appeal
• Training Agreement
• RACS A Guide to SET Information

 

Application Processing Fee

All applicants will be charged a non-refundable application processing fee which must be paid at the time of application.

The 2021 fee is AUD 900.00 incl.GST 

 

Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Selection Initiative

One training position is reserved to support selection opportunities for candidates who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders (ATSI) and who reach the minimum standard for selection as setout in the Regulations.

 

Past Offers

The following shows trainees appointed onto the SET program by commencement year.  (includes deferred offers)

 

2021 Intake	9
2020 Intake	12
2019 Intake	17
2018 Intake	22
2017 Intake	13
2016 Intake	6
2015 Intake	12
2014 Intake	19
2013 Intake	15
2012 Intake	15
2011 Intake	6

 

Enquiries

For any enquiries please email OHNStraining@asohns.org.au.  Please note, no advice will be provided over the phone.