Medicine
- Mar 17, 2023
- 6 min read
Updated: Mar 21, 2025
Medicine focuses on diagnosing, treating, and preventing disease and injury. It includes many specialties, and becoming a physician requires extensive education and training. Physicians must have knowledge, skill, and compassion to provide the best care for patients. Medicine is a challenging and important field that is essential for individual and societal well-being.

1. QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025: Medicine
The QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025 ranked five Australian universities among the top medical schools worldwide. The University of Melbourne is ranked 25th, followed by the University of Sydney at 27th. Monash University is ranked 47th, while UNSW Sydney and the University of Queensland are ranked 63rd and 75th, respectively. These universities provide exceptional facilities, research opportunities, and top-tier education to students interested in pursuing a career in medicine.
Rank | Australian University |
25 | The University of Melbourne |
27 | The University of Sydney |
47 | Monash University |
63 | UNSW Sydney |
75 | The University of Queensland |
2. Admissions Guide for Medicine in Australia
This diagram provides a brief guide to the admission process for high school and university graduates who wish to study medicine in Australia.
3. Entry Requirements for Medicine Studies in Australia
The table below outlines the minimum entry requirements for international students who are interested in pursuing studies in Medicine in Australia. Entry requirements are categorized into academic and English language requirements. For detailed admission requirements, please consult with an Australian Study Abroad Counselor (QEAC).
Note: These requirements may vary depending on the institution.
Qualification | Duration | IELTS | Academic Requirement |
Bachelor's degree | 5 years | 7.0 (no band less than 7.0) |
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Combined degree | 5-7 years | 7.0 (no band less than 7.0) |
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Professional degree | 4 years | 7.0 (no band less than 7.0) |
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4. Admissions Process for Medicine in Australia
This diagram provides a brief overview of the application process for individuals who wish to pursue a degree in medicine in Australia, from the initial application to admission into the university.

5. Types of Clinical Aptitude Tests in Australia
This table provides information on the types of clinical aptitude tests that schools may require for admission into medical programs.
| UCAT | ISAT | MCAT | GAMSAT | DAT |
Degree | Undergraduate | Undergraduate | Postgraduate | Postgraduate | Postgraduate |
Introduction | Computer-based admission test for medical and dental programs in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. | Computer-based admissions test for international students applying to health science programs in Australia and New Zealand. | Computer-based standardized test required for admission to most medical schools in the United States and Canada. | Standardized exam used in Australia, Ireland, and the UK to assess aptitude for medical programs. | Computer-based test used for admission to dental schools in the United States and Canada. |
Reservation | March - May | At least 60-90 days in advance | - | Nov - Jan (Test in March) May - July (Test in Sep) | At least 60-90 days in advance |
Test Date | July | May, Aug, Nov | Every month (25-30 exams per year) | Mar, Sep | Appointment of test dates |
Test Format | 5 subtests in total
| 2 subtests in total
| 4 subtests in total
| 3 subtests in total
| 4 subtests in total
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Required Scores | Over 2,600 points (total of 3,600 points) | Above 170 points (total of 200 points) | At least 510 points (528 total points) | At least 65 points (total of 100 points) | 20 points or more (30 points total) |
Cost | AUD 305 | AUD 413 | USD 330 + USD 120 (International fee) | AUD 515 | USD 510 |

6. Structure of Medicine Courses in Australia
The following table provides an overview of the structure of a Medicine course for international students in Australia. It outlines the key components of the course and briefly describes what each component covers. This information can be useful for students who are interested in pursuing a career in medicine and want to gain a better understanding of the different areas of knowledge and skills that they will acquire through the course.
Note: The components and course structure may vary depending on the institution and specific course.
Component | Description |
Pre-Clinical Studies | Covers the foundational knowledge in basic medical sciences such as anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and pharmacology. |
Clinical Skills | Covers the development of basic clinical skills such as history-taking, physical examination, and communication skills. |
Clinical Rotations | Involves clinical placements in various medical specialties such as internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, and psychiatry. |
Elective Placement | An optional component that allows students to gain clinical experience in a specific area of interest. |
Research Project | An opportunity to undertake a research project in a medical field of interest. |
Professional Development | Covers the development of professionalism, medical ethics, and legal issues related to the practice of medicine. |

7. MedBA (Medical Board of Australia) Accredited Programs List
The Medical Board of Australia (MedBA) maintains a list of accredited medical programs offered by various institutions across different states and territories in Australia. The accreditation process ensures that the programs meet the required standards for medical education and training in Australia. Prospective medical students or doctors seeking to practice in Australia should consult this list to ensure they enroll in an accredited program.
State/Territory | Institution | Program | Duration |
NSW | Charles Sturt University |
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NSW | Macquarie University |
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NSW | UNSW Sydney |
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NSW | University of Newcastle / University of New England |
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NSW | University of Sydney |
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NSW | Western Sydney University |
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NSW | University of Wollongong |
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VIC | Deakin University |
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VIC | University of Melbourne |
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QLD | Bond Univeristy |
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QLD | Griffith University |
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QLD | James Cook University |
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QLD | The University of Queensland |
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SA | Flinders University |
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SA | University of Adelaide |
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WA | Curtin University |
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WA | The University of Western Australia |
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8. Hierarchy of Medicine Positions and Descriptions
The table outlines the positions in the medicine hierarchy in Australia, from Medical Assistant to Medical Specialist. Responsibilities and required skills increase with each position, with higher positions requiring experience in managing a team and providing advanced medical care.
Note that the positions and descriptions may vary depending on the medical institution or organization.
Position | Description |
Medical Assistant | Assist medical professionals with routine tasks |
Medical Receptionist | Schedule appointments, greet patients, and handle calls |
Medical Secretary | Manage medical records and assist with administrative tasks |
Registered Nurse | Provide patient care and assist with medical procedures |
Physician Assistant | Work under the supervision of a physician and provide basic medical care |
General Practitioner | Primary care physician who diagnoses and treats common medical conditions |
Medical Specialist | Diagnose and treat complex medical conditions |

9. Registration and Career Information for Medicine in Australia
The table below shows the process and future directions for becoming a general practitioner in Australia. Additionally, it provides information on the employment size, future job growth rate, average salary, employee percentage, female employment rate, and the average age of the general practitioner profession in Australia.
Occupation | General Practitioners and Resident Medical Officers (ANZSCO ID 2531) |
Job Type | Professionals |
Skill Level | Very high skill |
Unemployment Rate | Below average |
Employed | 92,900 |
Future Growth | 10.2% |
Weekly Earnings | A$2,535 |
Full-Time Share | 76% |
Female Share | 46% |
Average Age | 42 |

10. Immigrating to Australia through Medicine
The diagram below provides an overview of the general process for immigrating to Australia through the Australian Medical Program, including available visa options and Medicine-related occupations.
Skilled Independent visa (Subclass 189) | Skilled Nominated visa (Subclass 190) | Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 491) | Temporary Skill Shortage visa (Subclass 482) | Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 494) |
O | O | O | O | O |
Occupation | ANZSCO | List | Visa | Accessing Authority |
General Practitioner | 253111 | MLTSSL | Subclass 186 Subclass 189 Subclass 190 Subclass 482 Subclass 187 Subclass 494 Subclass 491 | MedBA |





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