FAQ Protection of the title surgeon

Only medical practitioners holding specialist registration in surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, or ophthalmology can call themselves ‘surgeon’. Restricting the use of the title surgeon follows an amendment to the National Law (the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (Surgeons) Amendment Act 2023).

The amendment does not affect other health practitioners, such as dentists (dental surgeon) and podiatrists (podiatric surgeon).

The changes started on 20 September 2023 in most states and territories. New South Wales and South Australia are now preparing a statutory instrument to apply the changes in their states in the coming weeks. Western Australia will progress an amendment to the National Law to make the change. This will ensure there is a consistent, national rule about who can use the title surgeon.

Medical practitioners who do not hold specialist registration in surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, or ophthalmology can no longer use the title ‘surgeon’. All references to ‘surgeon’ must be removed from all advertising including (but not limited to) websites, social media, letterheads, business cards and clinic window.

Only medical practitioners holding specialist registration in surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, or ophthalmology can call themselves ‘surgeon’, including ‘cosmetic surgeon’.

Medical practitioners who do not have specialist registration in surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, or ophthalmology cannot call themselves a ‘cosmetic surgeon’. This includes medical practitioners with general registration or specialist GPs who perform cosmetic surgery, but do not hold specialist registration in a surgical specialty.

Specialist GPs who provide surgical services in rural and regional areas, who do not hold specialist registration in a surgical specialty, can continue to provide surgical services, but cannot call themselves a ‘GP Surgeon’.

Only medical practitioners holding specialist registration in surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, or ophthalmology can call themselves ‘surgeon’.

Health services can employ specialist international medical graduates (SIMGs) (who practise under supervision with limited or provisional registration) in surgical positions. Health services use credentialling and scope of practice processes to ensure public safety.

These SIMGs cannot call themselves a surgeon, but they can say they are doing the surgery.

No – a cosmetic surgery endorsement does not enable a medical practitioner to call themselves a ‘cosmetic surgeon’.

Only medical practitioners holding specialist registration in surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, or ophthalmology can call themselves ‘surgeon’.

A medical practitioner who is identified as illegally using the title ‘surgeon’ will be advised in writing and asked to remove all references to ‘surgeon’. Doctors who fail to stop using the newly protected title ‘surgeon’ after they have been warned not to, could face criminal prosecution by Ahpra. The Board may also take disciplinary action, which could be in addition to, or instead of, prosecution.

Misuse of the newly protected title is a criminal offence and is punishable by a maximum fine of $60,000 or 3 years’ imprisonment, or both.