Neurosurgery

Neurosurgery is the diagnosis and treatment (operative and non operative) of patients with disorders of the central, peripheral and autonomic nervous system including their supportive structures and blood supply. This includes the skull, brain, meninges, spinal cord, spine and pituitary gland. It also includes the management of traumatic, neoplastic, infective, congenital and degenerative conditions of these structures and surgical pain management.

Vocational training in New Zealand

Vocational training in neurosurgery is undertaken through the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS). Once RACS training is completed the doctor is awarded the Fellowship of the RACS (FRACS) in neurosurgery.

Am I able to apply to work as a recognised specialist in New Zealand?

To apply for vocational registration in neurosurgery, you need either:

  • the FRACS qualification; or
  • an international postgraduate medical qualification, where your combination of qualifications, training and experience will then be assessed against the standard of FRACS in neurosurgery.

What standard will my training, qualifications and experience be compared against?

Recognised specialists in New Zealand must complete at least 5 years of training and satisfy the requirements below:

  • minimum of five years full-time equivalent and a maximum of nine calendar years.
  • rotate through a minimum of three training units.
  • submit quarterly Logbooks.
  • participate in a minimum of 1,200 major neurosurgical procedures (overall minimum requirement).
  • participate in a minimum of 80 major neurosurgical procedures for each six months (the cases are included in the overall minimum of 1,200).
  • participate in a minimum 500 major neurosurgical procedures as primary surgeon (the cases are included in the overall minimum of 1,200).
  • participate in a minimum of 50 major paediatric neurosurgical procedures (the cases are included in the overall minimum of 1,200).
  • regularly complete the following Work Based Assessments: Quarterly Professional Performance Assessments, Direct Observation of Procedural Skills.
  • satisfactorily participate in all scheduled Training Seminars (twice yearly).
  • complete the following courses: Care of the Critically Ill Surgical Patient (CCRISP), Early Management of Severe Trauma (EMST), and Critical Literature Evaluation and Research (CLEAR).
  • satisfactorily complete an approved supervised research project.
  • satisfactorily complete an approved research presentation.
  • have a publication from the supervised research project in an approved journal.
  • satisfactorily complete the Fellowship Examination in Neurosurgery.
  • participate in the RACS continuing professional development programme.

Once a trainee has successfully completed the minimum training time and the requirements outlined in the Training Program Regulations, they may apply to be awarded the FRACS in neurosurgery.

I want to make a vocational registration application

To make a vocational registration application, please refer to the Vocational Registration Homepage and select the option appropriate for you.

Am I able to apply for other types of registration?

You may be able to apply for more than one type of registration. To find out which is the best fit for you, please use our self assessment tool.

  • Registration self assessment tool

    3 May 2023

    Use our registration self assessment tool to determine which pathway to registration (as a medical practitioner in Aotearoa New Zealand) you might be eligible for. Note: we do not cover student electives.