Choosing Where to Apply

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Section 7: Choosing Where to Apply

Australia has a range of medical programs, and choosing where to apply is an important strategic and personal decision. You’ll want to consider factors like entry pathway (undergraduate vs graduate), location, curriculum style, support systems, and your own competitiveness for each program. Here we’ll break down key considerations and provide a list of medical schools by state with their entry types.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Medical School:

1. Entry Pathway and Requirements: First, narrow down by whether you are eligible for undergrad programs, grad programs, or both. If you’re coming straight from high school, your options are the undergraduate (direct entry) courses. If you already have (or will soon have) a bachelor’s degree, focus on graduate-entry MD programs (or consider undergrad ones only open to non-school leavers if applicable). Some schools offer both pathways (e.g., UNSW has a six-year program for school-leavers and also a lateral entry pathway for some graduates, Monash has mainly undergrad entry plus a graduate stream for certain Monash BSc grads). Check the specific requirements: do you meet their minimum ATAR/GPA? Did you take the required admissions test (UCAT or GAMSAT) for that school?

2. Location and Lifestyle: Medical degrees are long (4 to 6 years), and you’ll likely be living in that city/region for the duration, plus possibly for subsequent internship/residency. Consider where you’d be happy living. Do you prefer a big city (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane) with large hospitals, or are you open to (or excited about) a more regional setting (Townsville for JCU, Geelong for Deakin, Wollongong, etc.)? Also think about proximity to your support network (family, friends) and the cost of living. For instance, living in Sydney might be expensive but offers many hospital options; living in Townsville is cheaper and the program might have a specific focus (tropical medicine at JCU) and smaller cohort.

3. Bonded vs Unbonded spots and Fee considerations: Some universities have a high proportion of bonded places or only bonded for certain applicants. If you’re strongly opposed to a bonded commitment, you might lean towards universities where you have a shot at an unbonded CSP. Alternatively, if you’re willing to do bonded (or even a full-fee place if you can afford it or take a loan), that might broaden your options. Private universities like Bond and Macquarie have no CSP – only full fee. If finances are a concern, consider that CSP places (including bonded CSP) have much lower fees than full-fee places. All international places are full-fee, so international students should compare tuition among schools (though they’re all in a similar high range, some slightly less than others).

4. Curriculum and Teaching Style: Not all med schools teach the same way. Some have Problem-Based Learning (PBL) curricula, where much of your learning is through small-group case discussions (e.g., Monash, UQ, UWA use a lot of PBL; Flinders pioneered it in Australia). Others have more lecture-based or didactic teaching especially in early years (e.g., UNSW has lectures plus clinical exposure, mixed approach). Some integrate early clinical exposure (Bedside learning from year 1 or 2; e.g., Newcastle JMP does this) while others focus on science first then clinical later. Anatomy teaching can differ – some have full cadaver dissection (Sydney, UMelb do in their grad programs), others use prosections or virtual anatomy. Consider what learning style suits you – if you prefer structured lectures and clear guidance, some PBL-heavy programs might frustrate you; if you love self-directed learning and small groups, PBL schools might shine. That said, most schools now blend methods.

5. Special Focus or Opportunities: Some schools have unique opportunities. For example, does the school offer an embedded research year or higher degree? (UNSW has an embedded Honours-like research component; UQ offers an optional research year; many MDs require a research project.) Does it have strong rural clinical schools if you want rural experience? (Most have rural rotations; some like JCU, Monash, Deakin, Curtin have specific rural sub-campuses). Are there dual degree options? (UNSW and UQ allow combining MD with a PhD if you want an academic career; some allow an intercalated Masters). Check if the program’s hospitals are ones you’d like to be in – for instance, University of Melbourne rotates through metro Melbourne hospitals, whereas Deakin is centred around Geelong and rural western Victoria. If you have an interest in a particular field, maybe look at the school’s reputation or elective offerings in that area (though as a med student, all accredited programs will cover the basics sufficiently).

6. Competitiveness and your chances: It’s pragmatic to apply where you have a realistic chance. Research the approximate cutoff scores or the entry stats for recent years if available. Some universities or independent sources publish the minimum or median scores of successful applicants (for example, you might find that University X typically requires a UCAT in the 90th percentile and ATAR 98+, while University Y might have a threshold of UCAT 80th percentile and ATAR 95). Graduate programs might list, say, “Interview cutoff in 2024 was GPA 6.0 and GAMSAT 62”. This can fluctuate year to year, but it gives a guide. If your scores are far below what a certain school usually needs, you might prioritise others. That said, it can be worth applying broadly since unexpected things happen and you might get an interview at one school but not another with similar scores. Balance “reach” choices with “safer” choices (as much as any med school can be safe – none are easy).

7. Application Limits and Preferences: Note that in some states, you apply through a centralised system with preference ordering:

   • In NSW and elsewhere for undergrad, you use state-based Tertiary Admission Centres (UAC, VTAC, QTAC, etc.). You can list multiple courses in preference order. E.g., through UAC you can apply to UNSW, Newcastle/UNE, Western Sydney/CSU all in one go. They’ll give you at most one offer – the highest preference for which you qualify. So, think carefully about ordering (don’t put a school you wouldn’t attend above one you prefer more).
   • For graduate entry, the GEMSAS application lets you apply to multiple universities (except a few that are direct like USyd, Flinders, UQ). GEMSAS will ask you to rank your preferences. They will try to match you to your highest possible preference based on your scores. There’s no harm in applying to as many as allowed (just ensure you truly would attend any you list; if not, don’t list it).
   • Some direct applications (JCU, Bond, Sydney graduate) are separate – you can apply to all of them concurrently since they don’t affect each other. Just manage the effort for each.

Now, let’s give an overview of Australian medical schools by state/territory and their entry pathways:

• New South Wales (NSW):

  • University of New South Wales (UNSW) – 6-year BMed Studies/MD for undergraduates (largest undergrad intake ~200 students)¹. Also has a lateral entry for some UNSW med science students to enter in Year 3. Uses UCAT & Interview.
  • University of Newcastle / University of New England (JMP) – Joint Medical Program, a 5-year BMedSci/MD (recently changed from BMed) for undergrads, based in Newcastle and Armidale. Uses UCAT & MMI, and a separate Personal Qualities Assessment (no standard personal statement).
  • Western Sydney University / Charles Sturt University – a newer Joint Program in Medicine started 2020, 5-year BClinSci/MD, undergrad entry mainly for Western Sydney and rural students. UCAT & MMI used. Campuses in Sydney and Orange.
  • University of Sydney (USyd) – 4-year MD, graduate entry only. Requires GAMSAT (or MCAT for some internationals) and historically GPA; currently no interview for domestic (as of 2021-2024, admission was based on GPA + GAMSAT only)¹, though this could change. Has a big class (~300) including many CSP, BMP, and full-fee places.
  • University of Wollongong (UOW) – 4-year MD, graduate entry. Uses GAMSAT, GPA, plus a portfolio and an interview (panel style).
  • University of Notre Dame Australia (Sydney campus) – 4-year MD, graduate entry, private Catholic university. Uses GAMSAT, GPA, a personal qualities statement/portfolio, and interviews. No CSP for domestic (I believe all are CSP or BMP though some might be BMP? Actually, Notre Dame does have CSPs allocated).
  • Macquarie University – 4-year MD, graduate entry, private university in Sydney. Uses GAMSAT (or MCAT for internationals), GPA, and interviews. Emphasises clinical technology and has partnerships in India/US for some rotations. Mostly full-fee for domestic (limited CSP if any).

• Victoria:

  • Monash University – The only Victorian undergrad-entry program: 5-year MBBS/MD (they call it MD but it’s direct from school). Mainly for school-leavers via UCAT & MMI. ~75% of intake is from Year 12 (including some rural and bonded). Monash also has a graduate entry stream (~25% of spots) but only for students who complete Monash’s Bachelor of Biomedical Science or related degrees; they must take GAMSAT and apply internally². No external grad applicants accepted into Monash MD. So for non-Monash grads, Monash isn’t an option unless you apply from Year 12.
  • University of Melbourne – 4-year MD, graduate entry only. Requires GAMSAT and a very high GPA. It has multiple selection criteria: GAMSAT, GPA, and a multi-mini interview. Also a prerequisite of prior studies in anatomy/physiology/biochem (which may be changing – check current status). Melbourne offers CSP, BMP, and about 70 full-fee domestic spots, plus internationals. It’s highly competitive (median GAMSAT often ~69).
  • Deakin University – 4-year MD, graduate entry, located in Geelong (and with rural clinical schools in western Victoria). Uses GAMSAT, GPA, and an interview (which is an MMI). Deakin emphasises rural health and usually reserves ~50% of spots for rural/regional backgrounds. All domestic places are CSP or bonded (no full-fee domestic).
  • Latrobe University / University of Melbourne partnership – Not a separate med school, but note: La Trobe offers a 3-year undergrad Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Medical) in Bendigo and Albury-Wodonga that provides a pathway into Melbourne’s MD for rural students. Those students don’t have to sit GAMSAT and get reserved spots if they meet progression requirements. If you are a rural student in Victoria, this is an option (apply to La Trobe’s program out of Year 12).
  • (There is no medical program at other Vic universities like RMIT, etc. A new program at Victoria University has been discussed but not in place as of 2025.)

• Queensland:

  • University of Queensland (UQ) – 4-year MD, which has two entry pathways: Provisional entry for school leavers (who undertake a bachelor’s first, usually at UQ, then automatically progress to MD if they meet GPA and minimum requirements)³; and direct graduate entry for those who already have a degree. Both groups do the same 4-year MD program. Provisional school-leaver applicants need UCAT and a very high ATAR (99+ typically) and an interview. Graduate applicants need GAMSAT and GPA (UQ rejoined GEMSAS in 2023 for grad entry, after a period of direct application, and they currently use GAMSAT/GPA with a minimal situational tool – check current process). UQ has a large intake (~450 including international) with CSP, BMP, and some full-fee for domestic. UQ also has a rural entry pathway (they partner with CQU and USQ for some undergrad pathways).
  • Griffith University – 4-year MD, graduate entry. The undergrad medical program at Griffith has been phased out; now all students enter the MD after completing a prior degree. However, Griffith offers the Bachelor of Medical Science at its Sunshine Coast campus as a provisional pathway: students in that program can get direct entry to Griffith MD (with conditions), and those students have the option to take UCAT for selecting into that pathway³. For general graduate applicants, GAMSAT and GPA are required, plus an interview (MMI). Griffith’s MD is based at the Gold Coast, with some seats reserved for their own Bachelor of Med Sci and some for other grads.
  • Bond University – 4.8-year Medical Program (Bachelor of Medical Studies + MD), undergraduate entry (no prior degree needed). Bond is private and not part of the public system: it has three intakes per year of a small cohort (~40 each) and uses its own selection process. Applicants (domestic and international) apply directly to Bond. They must have a strong ATAR (around 97+ usually), and then Bond shortlists for interview based on an initial screening (they do not use UCAT). Instead, Bond has an online psychometric test and then an MMI style interview. Bond is full-fee only (no CSP) and quite expensive (around A$400k total fees)⁴. But it’s an option if you’re willing to pay and want a smaller class with a problem-based curriculum.
  • James Cook University (JCU) – 6-year MBBS, undergraduate entry. Located in Townsville (with clinical years across North Queensland). JCU focuses on rural, remote, Indigenous and tropical health. They do not use UCAT at all; instead, they heavily weigh a written application (with questions on your motivation for medicine, understanding of rural and Indigenous health issues, etc.) and then invite shortlisted candidates to panel interviews at Townsville or Cairns. They value applicants who have experience or interest in northern Australia or tropical medicine. JCU’s academic cutoffs are a bit lower in ATAR (around 95 minimum, though depends on your application strength) since they look for a well-rounded fit. This is a great option if you are keen on rural medicine or from a rural background. They also accept some non-school leavers and have a small graduate entry pathway (for a few students who’ve done uni – they still do the full 6-year course, just not required to have as high ATAR).
  • *Central Queensland University (CQU) & University of Southern Queensland (USQ) – These are not independent med schools, but they are partners in UQ’s “Regional Medical Pathway.” CQU (Rockhampton) and USQ (Toowoomba) each have an undergraduate science/health program that leads into UQ’s MD. Students do say, a 3-year Bachelor of Medical Science at CQU or Biomedical Science at USQ, and if they meet requirements (GPA, etc.), they have a spot reserved in UQ’s MD program allocated for that region (Bundaberg or Toowoomba clinical sites). These pathways use UCAT for selection of school leavers³. If you’re interested in training in those regions, you’d apply to CQU or USQ undergrad and effectively have a packaged deal for med.
  • (No med school at QUT or others. A new Queensland medical school was not launched as of 2025, aside from the pathways mentioned.)

• South Australia (SA):

  • University of Adelaide – 6-year medical program (recently changed to a Bachelor of Medical Studies + MD, replacing the old MBBS)⁵, undergraduate entry. They use UCAT and an interview (which has been a panel format). Adelaide typically requires a very high ATAR (usually >99) and UCAT threshold. They also have some spots for rural background students. Adelaide’s medical school is established and based in the city with clinical placements in SA hospitals.
  • Flinders University – Flinders offers a 4-year MD for graduate entry in Adelaide. They use GAMSAT and GPA and conduct interviews (MMI). Flinders also has a unique Undergraduate to Medicine pathway: the double degree Bachelor of Clinical Sciences/Doctor of Medicine which is for school leavers (mostly from NT or SA). Students do 2 years undergrad then transition to the 4-year MD at Flinders. That pathway uses UCAT for Year 12 selection³. Additionally, Flinders runs the Northern Territory Medical Program (NTMP) in Darwin: NT-origin students can study Years 3-4 of Flinders MD in Darwin (after doing Years 1-2 in Adelaide or via the Flinders CDU pathway). Speaking of which:
  • Flinders/Charles Darwin University (CDU) Partnership: Historically, NT students could do a Flinders Bachelor of Clinical Sci in Darwin then enter Flinders MD. Now, CDU is establishing its own MD program (the CDU Menzies School of Medicine) expected to take its first intake in 2026. For 2025, NT applicants likely still go through Flinders. This is a bit complex – if you are an NT resident, look up the latest on whether to apply via Flinders or CDU for 2025. (CDU’s new program is 4-year and they may have some provisional scheme; it is aimed at keeping students in NT for the whole training.)

• Western Australia (WA):

  • University of Western Australia (UWA) – Offers a 4-year MD for graduates and an “assured pathway” for school leavers. High school students can apply for an Assured Pathway: they first complete a predefined undergrad degree (like a Biomedicine or another approved course at UWA) and if they maintain certain grades, they have a guaranteed spot in the UWA MD. They must still take UCAT in Year 12 for selection into the assured pathway³ (and often have an interview). For direct graduate applicants, UWA uses GAMSAT and GPA (and recently an interview was reintroduced after a few years of not having one). UWA also has an assured pathway to Dentistry and Podiatry, hence they use both UCAT and GAMSAT (Dentistry uses UCAT at undergrad level as well). Note that UWA’s med cohort will be a mix of those who came via assured undergrad route and those who applied after completing degrees elsewhere.
  • Curtin University – 5-year MBBS (planning to change to MD) undergraduate-entry program, launched in 2017, focused on attracting WA students especially from under-represented backgrounds. Curtin uses UCAT and an interview (MMI). They also require the Casper (SJT) test as part of selection¹. Curtin’s intake is mostly CSP/BMP for WA residents (they have a quota for WA, then if spots remain, others). They have a strong focus on primary care and have smaller class sizes (~100).
  • University of Notre Dame Australia (Fremantle campus) – 4-year MD, graduate entry, similar setup to Notre Dame Sydney. Uses GAMSAT/GPA, a portfolio/experience submission, and interview. Being a private Catholic uni, they consider community service and values in selection. They have about 100 spots (mostly CSP/BMP).

• Tasmania:

  • University of Tasmania (UTAS) – 5-year program (recently restructured to a BMedSci/MD from the old MBBS)⁵, undergraduate entry primarily. UTAS uses UCAT and academic results to select for an offer; interestingly they do not normally conduct interviews for standard entry. This makes it somewhat unique – selection is heavily based on ATAR and UCAT ranking⁶. The cutoff ATAR for UTAS can be slightly lower than other undergrad programs (mid-90s rather than 99) since Tasmania tries to retain local students and they’re the only med school in the state. They also reserve a good portion of places for Tasmanian residents. UTAS now also allows a small number of graduate entrants into the 5-year program (they must have a prior degree and GAMSAT)⁶, effectively treating them like another category of applicant to enter Year 1. Those applicants need a minimum GPA (around 5.25) and GAMSAT score to be considered⁶.

• Australian Capital Territory (ACT):

  • Australian National University (ANU) – 4-year MChD (Doctor of Medicine & Surgery), graduate entry. Uses GAMSAT, GPA, and a notably involved interview process (MMI plus group task). ANU emphasises research and offers opportunities for higher degrees during the MD. They have CSP, BMP, and some Commonwealth scholarship (MRBS) positions historically.

• Northern Territory (NT):

  • Flinders University (NT Medical Program) – For 2025, NT applicants are funnelled through Flinders. They have a quota of ~24 NT places, and the first two years of the MD are done via Flinders Adelaide, last two in Darwin clinical school. Entry requires GAMSAT and slightly lower GPA (and special consideration for ties to NT). By 2026, Charles Darwin University will start its own program (a 4-year MD) to train doctors entirely in the NT⁷. Keep an eye if you are in NT – the application might go directly to CDU for the new program (likely requiring undergraduate degree and maybe some preference for locals).

As you can see, each state offers something different. It’s wise to apply to multiple schools to maximise your chances, but you also need to manage the applications (especially any that require extra forms like JCU or portfolios like Wollongong/Notre Dame).

Researching Individual Universities: Once you have a list of places you’re interested in, spend time on their official websites. Look up the “Admissions Guide” or “How to Apply” section for each medical program. Universities often publish detailed booklets each year for prospective students – these contain information on selection criteria, timeline, any changes, and FAQs. For example, GEMSAS releases a PDF guide for graduate programs⁸, and undergrad programs info can be found via Tertiary Admission Centres or the uni websites (some have downloadable booklets like “Admissions to Medical School 2025” etc.). Reading these will give you specifics like: how they combine UCAT and ATAR, how many rural spots, what to do if you’re an international applicant, etc.

Also consider attending information sessions or open days (often held virtually too). Many med schools have webinars for prospective applicants where you can ask questions. Online forums like Paging Dr (Australian med student forum) or MedStudentsOnline and the r/medcollege or r/GAMSAT subreddits on Reddit can provide anecdotal insights, but take those with a grain of caution and always verify with official sources.

At the end of the day, when choosing where to apply, aim for a mix of:

• Places you really want to go (your dream choices),
• Places you think you have a solid chance based on your stats,
• And any additional places you’d be willing to attend if they were your only offer.

It’s an advantage that Australia has a number of med schools – if you’re flexible, you might end up in a program you hadn’t initially considered but which still leads you to your goal of becoming a doctor. Use our Pathways Explorer as a quick reference to see all schools and their requirements at a glance, which might help finalise your list.