Dr Chris Paton

Australian medical schools follow two main entry models. Undergraduate medical programmes (typically six years, leading to MBBS or MD by 2025) admit applicants directly from secondary school on the basis of ATAR or international equivalent, combined with the UCAT ANZ aptitude test and an interview. Graduate-entry programmes (four years) are open to applicants with a prior bachelor's degree and use the GAMSAT plus interview.

There are roughly twenty medical schools across Australia, including the long-established universities (Sydney, Melbourne, Monash, Adelaide, Queensland, Western Australia) and newer programmes (Bond, Notre Dame, Macquarie, Wollongong). Most use a combination of place categories — Commonwealth-supported places for Australian citizens and permanent residents, full-fee places for international applicants — and each school sets its own selection algorithm.

Australian medical schools have a relatively rural and Indigenous health focus, with most schools reserving places under specific pathways. Application timelines run earlier than for many universities, often closing in late September of the preceding year.