Specialty overview

Orthopaedic surgeons diagnose, treat and manage patients with disorders and conditions which affect the musculoskeletal system, including bones, joints, muscles, ligaments. Orthopaedic surgeons use both surgical and non-operative means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumours, and congenital disorders.

Clinical practice

Orthopaedic surgeons work within both public and private facilities, providing emergency and elective surgical services and outpatient care. Orthopaedic Surgeons often also provide outreach surgical services to regional, rural and remote patients. Procedures commonly performed by orthopaedic surgeons include total hip replacement, fracture repair, spinal fusion, shoulder arthroplasty and carpal tunnel release.

Key statistics

2026 QLD Training program selections(first year)

56
eligible

17
selected

This doughnut chart shows the proportion of applications recieved vs applicants selected. Eligible applications received is 56, Applicants selected is 17.

Number of Queensland and Australian specialists

346

Number of QLD specialists

1460

Number of Australian specialists

Number of Queensland and Australian new fellows

10

Number of QLD new fellows

47

Number of Australian new fellows

Number of Queensland trainees and average work hours

49

Number of QLD trainees

48.1

Average weekly hours

Information on specialists

  • 346

    Number of QLD specialists

  • 10

    Number of QLD new fellows

  • 48.1 hours

    Average weekly hours QLD

  • 53 years

    Average age QLD

  • Specialists over 60

    This donut chart shows that 26% of specialists are aged over 60 years.

  • Specialist intending to retire by 2033

    This donut chart shows that 43% of 2022 workforce intend to retire by 2033.

  • Location in QLD

    This donut chart shows the percentage of specialists by their location: 22.2% are located in regional QLD, 77.8% 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

    94.4%
    male

    5.6%
    female

    This doughnut chart shows the proportion of males and females. Males are 94%, Females are 6%.

  • Public vs Private

    73.8%
    private

    26.2%
    public

    This doughnut chart shows the proportion of public and private specialists. Private is 73.9%, Public is 26.1%.

Information on trainees

  • 49

    Number of QLD trainees

  • 9

    Number of new QLD trainees

  • 248

    Number of Australian trainees

  • 52

    Number of new Australian trainees

  • Proportion female/male trainees in QLD

    85%
    male

    15%
    female

    This doughnut chart shows the proportion of males and females. Males are 86%, Females are 13%.

  • 2026 QLD Training program selections (first year)

    56
    eligible

    17
    selected

    This doughnut chart shows the number of 2026 QLD Training Program Selections (First Year). 56 Eligible applications were received, 17 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 - 42 trainees, 2016 - 40 trainees, 2017 - 44 trainees, 2018 - 46 trainees, 2019 - 46 trainees, 2020 - 47 trainees, 2021 - 45 trainees, 2022 - 46 trainees, 2023 - 46 trainees, 2024 - 49 trainees.

Training information

College

Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS)

Length of training

Approximately 5 years full-time (competency based rather than time based program)

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

Orthopaedic surgery trainees are selected directly into the sub-specialty and progress through the SET (Surgical Education and Training) program, an integrated program designed to provide clinical and operative experience to enable trainees to use surgical, medical, physical and rehabilitative methods in the care of the musculoskeletal system. 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 Australian Orthopadic Association.

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 have passed the RACS Generic Surgical Sciences Examination (GSSE) at time of registration or by close of SET applications. In addition, applicants must fulfil the Australian Orthopaedic Association (AOA) speciality specific eligibility criteria by the date applications open, including having completed a minimum of 26 working weeks of orthopaedic surgical experience in the 2 years immediately prior to application (experience from the last five years will be accepted if full-time study for a Doctorate is demonstrated), and successfully completed a state-licenced Radiation Safety Course. Further details are available from RACS and the AOA.

Flexibility

Part-time training is offered and each request for part-time training is considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on the reason for the request and the part-time load that is requested to be worked.

Interrupted training

Interruptions are permitted for a variety of reasons and can be taken for 6 months, 12 months or in some cases longer. Interruption to training requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Training locations

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Last updated: May 2026

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