The Graduate Programs in Surgical Education are a new suite of qualifications offered by the University of Melbourne Medical School through the Department of Surgery, Austin Health in partnership with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS). This suite of programs addresses the specialised needs of teaching and learning in a modern surgical environment. The programs’ content recognises the unique challenges that characterise the clinical settings and the advanced technologies that are increasingly important in surgery and surgical training. Effective teaching skills are essential attributes for educators responsible for training the next generation of surgeons in the complex sets of skills required for safe surgical practice. The programs allow surgeons to gain formal skills in teaching and educational scholarship. The content reflects critical issues in the broader education community together with specific challenges for surgical education – the role of regulatory bodies, balancing clinical service with training, ethical imperatives for simulation-based education, safer working conditions including safe hours and more.