Professor Hamdorf graduated from The University of Western Australia’s Medical School and soon after undertook studies contributory to a Doctor of Philosophy in Surgery. He completed surgical training and was awarded the Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in 1993.

Surgical training was undertaken through Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Royal Perth Hospital and Fremantle Hospital. Post Fellowship training in upper gastrointestinal surgery was undertaken at the University of New South Wales with clinical privileges at the Prince of Wales and Prince Henry Hospitals.

Academic interests include management of upper gastrointestinal malignancies as well as more recently a prominent interest in surgical education, in particular skills training.

Professor Hamdorf has an active involvement in the affairs of Royal Australian College of Surgeons (RACS).  He has been Director of CTEC since 2010, and is the Head of the Division of Surgery at The University of Western Australia.  Professor Hamdorf led a distinguished career as a Consultant General Surgeon and has designed and lead numerous courses and workshops at CTEC in general and bariatric surgery.

In 2019 Professor Hamdorf's significant service to medical education, and to medicine, in the field of bariatric surgery was recognised when he was appointed as a Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia.