Does Your Plastic Surgeon Have FRACS?

Does Your Plastic Surgeon Have FRACS?

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Understanding Specialist Qualifications in Australia

Before undergoing any surgical procedure, it is essential to understand the qualifications of the practitioner who will be performing it.

In Australia, surgeons who hold the Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) have completed accredited specialist surgical training and are registered as specialists under the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

This article provides general information about the FRACS qualification, how to confirm your surgeon’s credentials, and the importance of verifying that your practitioner is appropriately trained and registered.

What Does FRACS Mean?

FRACS stands for Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

It is a professional qualification awarded to medical practitioners who have:

  • Completed a recognised medical degree.
  • Undertaken several years of general surgical training.
  • Completed advanced specialist surgical training under the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS).
  • Passed comprehensive written, clinical and practical examinations.

Only practitioners who have achieved this qualification and are registered as specialists with AHPRA are legally entitled to use the title surgeon in Australia.

Why FRACS Matters

The FRACS qualification indicates that a practitioner has completed a regulated, peer-reviewed pathway in surgical education and assessment.

This ensures they are trained to a consistent standard in:

  • Anatomy and surgical techniques.
  • Pre- and post-operative patient management.
  • Risk identification and complication management.
  • Continuing professional development and ethical standards.

For patients, confirming that a surgeon holds FRACS helps ensure that the practitioner is appropriately qualified for the type of procedure being considered.

How to Verify a Surgeon’s Qualifications

Patients can confirm a practitioner’s credentials through several reliable sources:

  1. AHPRA Public Register – Visit www.ahpra.gov.au and search for the doctor’s name. Their registration type and specialist qualifications will be displayed.
  2. Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) – The College lists current Fellows who have achieved FRACS.
  3. Professional Associations – Some FRACS-qualified surgeons may also belong to recognised specialist societies such as the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) or the Australasian Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery (AAFPS).

These public registers allow patients to verify that their practitioner has completed accredited training and is registered to practise as a specialist surgeon.

Questions You May Wish to Ask During Consultation

Before agreeing to surgery, it may be helpful to discuss the following with your practitioner:

  • Are you a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS)?
  • What specialty are you registered under (for example, ENT Surgery or Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery)?
  • Where will the procedure be performed, and is the facility accredited?
  • What are the risks and possible complications associated with this procedure?
  • What will recovery involve, and what kind of follow-up care is provided?
  • What is the approximate cost, and what does it include?

Asking these questions can help ensure that you understand your options and can make an informed decision.

About Dr Shahidi

Dr Shahram Shahidi

BSC(MED)(HON I) MB BS(SYD) FRACS FAAFPS

MED0001167352

Specialist Otolaryngologist (Ear, Nose and Throat) – Head and Neck Surgeon

Member, Australasian Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery

Dr Shahidi is an Australian-trained and FRACS-qualified ENT surgeon with over 20 years of experience in nasal and facial surgery.

He performs procedures in accredited Sydney hospitals and day surgery facilities.

During consultation, he discusses each patient’s anatomy, medical history, surgical options, associated risks, and expected recovery.

Disclaimer:

All surgical and invasive procedures carry risks. Individual results and recovery vary.

Before proceeding, patients are encouraged to seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

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