How to become a General Surgeon

Performs surgery to treat diseases and illnesses covering a broad range of medical conditions.

Main tasks

• Consults with patients to obtain comprehensive medical histories
• Examines and evaluates patients to determine if surgical treatment of illnesses, conditions and injuries are required, and explains risks to patients
• Requests laboratory tests, X-rays and other diagnostic procedures, and interprets findings
• Performs surgery and procedures in operating theatres and treatment rooms
• Prescribes post-operative care and observes patient progress
• Provides specialist advice to generalist Medical Practitioners or other specialists
• Prescribes medication and recommends preventative action to treat illness or injuries
• Maintains patient records

Ways in

• University: Medicine & Dentistry degrees, Offered by 34 universities in Australia
• Licence or registration: Registration or licensing is required.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $203,060 a year
• About 10,500 people work in this job group now, and about 13,900 are projected by 2035. (+33.1%)
• AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Related jobs

• Cardiothoracic Surgeon
• Neurosurgeon
• Orthopaedic Surgeon
• Otolaryngologist
• Paediatric Surgeon
• Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon

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Questions people ask

How do I become a General Surgeon?

Ways in include: Medicine & Dentistry degrees.

How much does a General Surgeon earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $203,060 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a General Surgeon a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 33% by 2035, from about 10,500 to about 13,900 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a General Surgeon?

Usually. 98% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a General Surgeon?

AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04