Graduate Medicine Program in Australia

Academics

Typically, a Bachelor’s degree in science subjects such as biomedical science, health science, or medical science is required. This degree can be obtained either in Australia or internationally. While each university has its own GPA requirements, many institutions require a GPA of 5 out of 7 according to the Australian grading system to meet the academic criteria for the MD program.

English Language Proficiency

An IELTS score of 7 overall, with no less than 7 in each module, is required.

Standardized Test

All universities require the GAMSAT for admission to their MD programs, with a minimum qualifying score of 50 out of 100 being necessary for most institutions. The GAMSAT is held twice a year (in March and September), and you can take the test up to twice within a calendar year. The GAMSAT assesses skills in written communication, humanities and social sciences, and biological and physical sciences. The test results are valid for four years for use in your university application.

Interview

All medical schools in Australia conduct a Multi Mini Interview (MMI) as the final stage of the application process for shortlisted candidates. During this interview, multiple panelists evaluate various qualities of the students to determine their suitability for becoming a doctor.

Living Cost

The average annual living cost ranges from AUD $20,000 to AUD $26,000, depending on the city where you reside.

Deadlines

Deadlines vary by university, as international students must apply directly through each university's portal.

License to practice post MD

After completing the MD program, students must undergo a 12-month supervised internship, also known as PG Year 1. During this internship, they complete three core rotations in surgery, medicine, and emergency medical care. Upon finishing the internship year, students can register with the Medical Board of Australia to obtain full licensure.

Pathway to Residency / specialization

To become a specialist consultant, candidates must complete 2 to 3 years of pre-vocational training as medical resident officers at teaching hospitals, known as residency. This differs from the US, where residency refers to specialist training. This pre-vocational training provides access to specialty training programs at teaching colleges in Australia, where you are considered a trainee doctor or registrar.

Each specialty program has its own requirements, such as the duration of pre-vocational training, academic performance, extracurricular activities, and prior approval from teaching colleges for your training position. For example, the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) oversees surgical training, while the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) handles gynecology. Specialization can take a minimum of 3 years, depending on the sub-specialty.