Qualifications of a Plastic Surgeon in Sydney, Australia

Plastic surgery qualifications in Sydney, Australia are nearly identical to that of the United States. Plastic surgery, more properly referred to as cosmetic surgery, is a specialized subset within the medical industry. Often called elective surgery, it entails operating on parts of the body for mostly cosmetic purposes, though functional improvements are also a part of plastic surgery, including correcting deviated septum's and cleft pallets. Because of the intricacy of the work, plastic surgeons have many requirements to fulfill prior to putting on the doctor's white jacket.

Educational and Residency Qualifications

• To perform plastic surgery in Sydney, requires meeting educational qualifications prior to becoming a practicing plastic surgeon. Attend a university or college with a good pre-med program. List your major as premed and take two years of chemistry, several courses of biology and coinciding labs. After obtaining a bachelor's degree in premed, medical school is the next step.

  Medical school lasts four years; by the third year, begin specializing in plastic surgery. After four years of medical school and graduation, a residency follows. In Australia, a plastic surgeon completes seven years of residency to become a licensed plastic surgeon. While completing residency, physicians earn an income.

Testing

• In order to get into medical school, there are additional qualifications for hopeful Australian plastic surgeons. After obtaining a bachelor's degree, take and pass the Medical School Admission Test. This test evaluates verbal reasoning, knowledge of the physical sciences, biological sciences and writing ability. Scoring over a ten in each category allows for competitive scores, broadening your options for medical school.

Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons

• The Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons is the nation's leading board of plastic surgeons and promotes the field, assuring that all licensed surgeons in the nation act with excellence. In order to be approved by the board, a plastic surgeon must meet the organization's specific regulations.

  Approval of the board is essential to succeeding in the industry, especially in Sydney, the nation's largest city. All members and approved surgeons must have 12 years education and training including seven years of residency after medical school. Doctors must maintain a full-time practice. Five years of the seven years of residency must be spent in plastic surgery, guaranteeing specialty in cosmetic surgeries.