How to become a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
Performs surgery to repair and reconstruct muscle and tissue injuries and congenital deformities.
Main tasks
- Examines patients' conditions and determines surgical needs
- Performs reconstructive surgery for congenital deformities, and muscle and tissue injuries
- Performs cosmetic surgery and procedures for aesthetic enhancement
- May perform gender affirming surgery
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
- General Surgeon
- Otolaryngologist
- Paediatric Surgeon
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon?
Ways in include: Medicine & Dentistry degrees.
How much does a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon earn in Australia?
Median full-time pay is $203,060 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Is a Plastic and Reconstructive 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 Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon?
Usually. 93% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Will AI change the work of a Plastic and Reconstructive 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