Eligibility and Applying
You can only sit the OMCQ as part of an application to the AOA 21 Training Program. This page summarises who can apply and how.
Which year this covers. The figures on this page come from the AOA documents for the 2027 intake (selection run in 2026), the most recent published. AOA revises its Selection Regulations every year, so check the current documents before you rely on any date, fee or rule.2
Two steps
- Register with RACS. The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons checks the generic eligibility requirements for surgical training.2,4
- Apply to AOA. Eligible applicants are invited to apply through AOA’s online system and pay the application fee.2,4
AOA’s own requirements
For the 2027 intake, applicants had to meet these by the date applications opened (18 February 2026):2
| Orthopaedic experience | At least 26 working weeks of orthopaedic surgery at PGY3 or above within the last two years, in a public hospital with an emergency department and an on-call roster. Terms must be at least 6 continuous weeks. Longer windows apply for full-time doctoral study or extended parental leave.2 |
|---|---|
| GSSE | The Generic Surgical Sciences Examination must be passed. The February 2026 sitting was not accepted for the 2027 intake.2 |
| Radiation safety | A state-licensed radiation safety course2,3 |
| CV | At least 6 points on the structured CV2,3 |
Number of attempts
AOA removed its limit on the number of selection attempts from 2024.3
International medical graduates
Graduates of overseas medical schools should contact RACS first. AOA’s FAQs state that they need Australian citizenship or permanent residency and unconditional registration as a medical practitioner in Australia.3
Regional preferences
Applicants nominate a first and second preference from six regions: NSW Sydney, NSW Newcastle, Queensland, South Australia/Northern Territory, Victoria/Tasmania and Western Australia. You are only considered for interviews and offers in the regions you nominate.2
Questions
AOA answers selection enquiries by email only, at selection@aoa.org.au.3
OMCQ Prep has true/false questions across all four content areas, each with an explanation and reference, plus timed 50-question practice exams.
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More about the OMCQ
- What Is the OMCQ?
- Exam Format and Scoring
- What’s in the OMCQ
- Dates, Venues and Cost
- How the OMCQ Is Used
- How to Prepare
References
- Australian Orthopaedic Association. Regulations for Selection to the AOA 21 Training Program in Orthopaedic Surgery – 2027 Intake. https://aoa.org.au/docs/default-source/selection-documents/2026-selection-updates-to-website/aoa-21-selection-regulations_2027-intake_final.pdf
- Australian Orthopaedic Association. Selection FAQs – 2027 Intake. https://aoa.org.au/docs/default-source/selection-documents/2026-selection-updates-to-website/selection-faq-2026-for-2027-intake-v0-2.pdf
- Australian Orthopaedic Association. Selection into Training (web page). https://aoa.org.au/orthopaedic-training/selection-into-training
OMCQ Prep is an independent educational platform. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Australian Orthopaedic Association (AOA) or the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS). This page summarises AOA’s published documents; where the two differ, the AOA documents are correct.