Specialty overview

Cardiothoracic surgeons diagnose, treat and surgically manage a broad spectrum of patients with congenital or acquired disorders involving the heart, great vessels, lungs and thorax. A cardiothoracic surgeon’s scope of work includes treating arrhythmias, blocked coronary arteries, heart failure, atrial and ventricular septal defects, pulmonary emboli, malignancies of the lung and pleura as well as traumatic injuries.

Clinical practice

Cardiothoracic surgeons work within both public and private facilities, undertaking both emergency and elective surgical services as well as post-operative and outpatient care. Cardiothoracic surgeons also often provide outreach surgical services to regional and rural patients. Procedures commonly performed by a cardiothoracic surgeon include coronary bypass surgery, aortic surgery, surgery for lung or other thoracic tumours, chest wall surgery as well as heart and lung transplantation surgery.

Key statistics

2026 QLD Training program selections(first year)

10
eligible

1
selected

This doughnut chart shows the proportion of applications recieved vs applicants selected. Eligible applications received is 10, Applicants selected is 1.

Number of Queensland and Australian specialists

39

Number of QLD specialists

196

Number of Australian specialists

Number of Queensland and Australian new fellows

0

Number of QLD new fellows

8

Number of Australian new fellows

Number of Queensland trainees and average work hours

4

Number of QLD trainees

49.2

Average weekly hours

Information on specialists

  • 39

    Number of QLD specialists

  • 0

    Number of QLD new fellows

  • 49.2 hours

    Average weekly hours QLD

  • 55 years

    Average age QLD

  • Specialists over 60

    This donut chart shows that 32% of specialists are aged over 60 years.

  • Specialist intending to retire by 2033

    This donut chart shows that 68% of 2022 workforce intend to retire by 2033.

  • Location in QLD

    This donut chart shows the percentage of specialists by their location: 8.1% are located in regional QLD, 91.9% are in major cities, and 0% are in remote regions. The chart highlights that a vast majority of specialists are based in major cities.

  • Proportion Female/Male - QLD

    94.6%
    male

    5.4%
    female

    This doughnut chart shows the proportion of males and females. Males are 94.7%, Females are 5.3%.

  • Public vs Private

    41.7%
    private

    58.3%
    public

    This doughnut chart shows the proportion of public and private specialists. Private is 36.8%, Public is 63.2%.

Information on trainees

  • 4

    Number of QLD trainees

  • 0

    Number of new QLD trainees

  • 33

    Number of Australian trainees

  • 5

    Number of new Australian trainees

  • Proportion female/male trainees in QLD

    60%
    male

    40%
    female

    This doughnut chart shows the proportion of males and females. Males are 50%, Females are 50%.

  • 2026 QLD Training program selections (first year)

    10
    eligible

    1
    selected

    This doughnut chart shows the number of 2026 QLD Training Program Selections (First Year). 10 Eligible applications were received, 1 of those were selected.

Number of QLD trainees 2015-2024

This line chart shows the trend of the number of QLD trainees from 2015 to 2024. The data points are: 2015 - 4 trainees, 2016 - 5 trainees, 2017 - 5 trainees, 2018 - 2 trainees, 2019 - 4 trainees, 2020 - 4 trainees, 2021 - 4 trainees, 2022 - 4 trainees, 2023 - 5 trainees, 2024 - 4 trainees.

Training information

College

Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS)

Length of training

6 years full-time

Method of allocation

College-selected trainees may be allocated to a training post by:

  • College

Training and assessment summary

For detailed information in relation to training and assessment requirements, please contact RACS.

Training program overview

Cardiothoracic surgery trainees are selected directly into the sub-specialty and progress through the Surgical Education and Training (SET) program, an integrated program designed to provide clinical and operative experience to enable trainees to manage both cardiac and thoracic conditions that relate to the specialty. The main components of SET training are placements in hospital posts, short courses (skills and specialty-specific), research and assessments. Upon completing all requirements of the training program, trainees may apply for admission to Fellowship of Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS).

Eligibility

Applicants must have permanent residency or citizenship of Australia and New Zealand at the time of registration and hold general (unconditional) medical registration in Australia or general scope or restricted general scope registration in the relevant specialty in New Zealand. Applicants are also required to have successfully completed the RACS Introduction to Operating with Respect module and passed the Generic Surgical Sciences Examination (GSSE) and RACS Clinical Examination (CE) either at the time of registration or by the close of SET applications. In addition, applicants must have completed minimum 18 months of cardiothoracic surgery experience and 12 months non-cardiothoracic surgery experience in the last 7 years. Further details are available from RACS.

Flexibility

Minimum 50% of full-time commitment however trainees must apply to the relevant specialty board at least 6 months prior to the proposed commencement of part-time training. Training must be completed within 10 years.

Interrupted training

Trainees must apply to the relevant specialty board at least 6 months prior to the commencement of the training year in which the proposed interruption will commence. Trainees applying for interruption due to medical reasons (illness, family leave) may do so at any time if supported by medical evidence. Applications for interruption must be for periods in multiples of 6 months.

Training locations

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Last updated: February 2026

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