Topic:

• Why study Medicine in Australia?
• Career outcomes after graduation
• Course Options
• Entry Requirements
• Cost to study medicine
• Best place to study medicine
• How to become a doctor/general practitioner/specialist physician in Australia?  
• PR pathway
• FAQs

Criteria  

The selection for Medicine Courses in Australia is very completive. The universities will rely on three criteria to select the right students.  

• Your high school results, or ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank)* 
• Your score in the UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) or ISAT 
• Your score in an interview or oral assessment (Note: some universities also require a written application) 

These three criteria can be equally weighted, or some universities may put more emphasis on a particular criterion. Furthermore, universities may look at particular UCAT/ISAT subtest score(s) rather than your overall UCAT/ISAT score. 

*International students who have not completed high school in Australia need to check with specific universities about their qualifications from their home countries. 

Course Pre-requisites  

Generally, universities will require the successful completion of English, Maths, Physics, Biology and/or Chemistry. 

English Requirement  

You will need a minimum IELTS score of 7.0 (with no band under 7). 

Want to know more about the entry requirements for the medicine courses? Contact SOL Edu, one of the best education agencies in Brisbane, today! Our team will offer you free consultation and free application process.    

The cost to study medicine in Australia for international students can vary significantly based on the university, the specific medical program, and the duration of the program. However, generally the tuition for medicine study in Australia is much higher than other courses, with the yearly tuition fee for international students ranging from AUD 75,000 – AUD 92,000 (2024 intake).  

Contact us at [email protected] or 07 3003 1899 to know the tuition fees for your preferred courses!  

Undergraduate only 

• University of Adelaide 
• James Cook University 
• University of Tasmania
• University of Queensland
• James Cook University

Undergraduate and Postgraduate 

• Monash University
• University of Sydney

Postgraduate with dedicated pathway from undergraduate 

• Flinders University 
• Griffith University 
• University of New South Wales 
• University of Sydney  

Postgraduate only 

• University of Queensland 
• Australian National University 
• Deakin University 
• University of Western Australia 
• University of Melbourne

Not sure which university you should apply for? Contact SOL Edu today for free consultations and free admission process! 

Becoming a doctor in Australia involves a well-defined pathway that includes completing a medical degree, undertaking internship and residency, and potentially pursuing further specialisation. Here’s a step-by-step guide to becoming a doctor in Australia: 

• Step 1: Qualification (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery or Doctor of Medicine) 

Enroll in a recognised Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program or Doctor of Medicine. This is the foundational step to becoming a doctor in Australia. The MBBS program typically takes 5 to 6 years, depending on the university and program structure. There are 2 pathways to complete a required degree to become a doctor in Australia.  

Pathway 1: For High School Graduates

Pathway 2: For Bachelor Graduates 

• Step 2: Internship 

After completing your medical degree, you must undertake a one-year internship at a hospital accredited by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). The internship provides hands-on clinical experience and exposure to various medical specialties. 

• Step 3: Provisional Registration 

After completing your internship, you will be eligible for provisional registration as a medical practitioner. This allows you to practice under supervision. 

• Step 4: Residency Training 

Following internship, doctors in Australia usually complete a period of residency training, which involves further clinical rotations across different specialties. Residency training can last 2 to 3 years and contributes to a doctor’s general medical training. 

• Step 5: Specialisation (Optional) 

If you wish to become a specialised doctor (e.g., surgeon, physician, radiologist), you can apply for advanced training positions in your chosen specialty. Advanced training programs are offered by various medical colleges and can take several years to complete. 

• Step 6: Fellowship 

After successfully completing advanced training and meeting the requirements set by the relevant medical college, you become eligible for Fellowship status in that specialty. 

• Step 7: Specialist Registration 

Obtain specialist registration with AHPRA, which allows you to practice as a specialised doctor independently. 

Studying Medicine in Australia costs you more time and fees compared to other courses, but the career outcomes are very rewarding and it is easy for you to migrate to Australia after becoming a general practitioner/specialist physician.  

Step 1: Apply for a 485 visa 

After completing a medical related course, you are eligible to apply for visa 485 (Post Graduate Work Stream). You are required to have at least IELTS overall 6.5 with no band score under 5.5 in the past 1 year before you lodge your visa application.

Under visa 485, you can stay in Australia for 2-4 years depending on your degree. However, if you undertook and completed at least  2 years of study in a ‘Regional Area’ such as the Gold Coast, Adelaide or Perth, you can be eligible for an additional 1 or 2 years of the 485 Visa Thus, you will have more time to prepare yourself for permanent residence (PR) or a temporary visa that can lead to a PR. 

Step 2: Apply for a PR or a visa that can lead to a PR 

There are plenty of pathways that can help you migrate to Australia after you have completed an accredited medicine course in Australia. Below are the common options:  

Skilled visas    

• 189 – Skilled Independent (subclass 189) – is a points-tested visa, allowing you to live and work permanently in any state or territory in Australia. The minimum score that you are required to be considered for a visa invitation is 65.  
• 190 – Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) – is a permanent residence visa but you need a nomination from one of Australian states or territories to apply for this visa. Each state may have its own occupation list and additional requirements, so you must investigate if you meet all the state’s eligibility criteria before asking for a nomination.   
• 491 – Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 491) is not permanent, but it can lead to a PR (visa 191). You must commit to stay and work in your nominating regional Australia for a minimal period of time and achieve at least 65 points to be apply for this visa.    

Employer Sponsored visas   

• 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) – allows you to work and stay indefinitely in Australia. To be eligible for this visa, you must be nominated by an approved employer and have at least 3 years of work experience. 
• 482 – Temporary Skilled Shortage (subclass 482) Medium Term Stream – allows you to stay and work in Australia for up to 4 years. To apply for this visa, you must have an employer who is willing to sponsor you. You will have a high chance of getting a PR after a 482 visa.   
• 494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) (subclass 494) is applicable for you if you have a regional employer who is willing to sponsor you. You must accumulate at least 3 years work experience. 

Contact SOL Edu today at [email protected] to know which visa option is best for you!