MedTute Resource

Getting Into Medicine in Australia & NZ: The Complete University-by-University Guide

There is no single "front door" into medicine. Every university weighs your ATAR, UCAT and interview differently — and some don't use the UCAT at all. This guide breaks down every direct-entry, provisional-entry and graduate-entry medical program in Australia and New Zealand, so you can see at a glance where your strengths give you the best shot.

2026 application cycle (2027 entry) · Verified against official university admissions pages, July 2026

The single most important split to understand is undergraduate entry vs postgraduate (graduate) entry:

Undergraduate entry means you apply straight out of Year 12. This includes direct entry (you start the medical degree in first year) and provisional entry (you're guaranteed a place in the MD, conditional on first completing a bachelor degree with a set GPA). Postgraduate entry means you first complete any bachelor degree, then apply using your university GPA and the GAMSAT (and sometimes Casper), usually through the centralised GEMSAS system.

Part 1

Undergraduate (Direct) Entry — Straight From Year 12

These programs take you from school straight into the medical degree itself. Most use a combination of ATAR, UCAT and an interview, but the weightings vary enormously — Flinders is 90% ATAR, while Western Sydney's final ranking ignores ATAR entirely once you clear the threshold.

South Australia

Adelaide University

B Medical Studies / MD · 6 yrs · apply via SATAC

UCAT

Min. ATAR: 90 (adjusted; real entry much higher)
Prerequisites: One of Biology, Chemistry or Mathematical Methods (SACE Stage 2 or equivalent)
UCAT use: Sections 1–3 equally weighted; SJT (Section 4) is a tie-breaker only
Selection & weighting: ATAR 40% + Interview 40% + UCAT 20%. Interview offers ranked on UCAT alone (academic record not considered at that stage).
Places & interview: ~600 invited to MMI (min. 6 × 10-min stations, via Zoom); ~41 places reserved for rural-background applicants

Flinders University

B Clinical Sciences / MD · 6 yrs · apply via SATAC

UCAT

Min. ATAR: ~95 to be competitive (2025 offers: 95.25–99.95)
Prerequisites: None
UCAT use: All 4 sections incl. SJT
Selection & weighting: ATAR 90% + UCAT 10%. No interview.
Places & interview: Rural sub-quota; up to 5 guaranteed places for Indigenous applicants

Victoria

Monash University

B Medical Science / MD · 5 yrs · apply via VTAC

UCAT

Min. ATAR: 90 (competitive entry is much higher)
Prerequisites: English study score 30 (EAL 35) and Chemistry 30
UCAT use: All domestic applicants; SJT only differentiates equal totals
Selection & weighting: Final ranking combines VTAC aggregate (incl. SEAS adjustments) + UCAT + Interview. December interview offers on UCAT alone (Victorian & rural students); January offers on equally weighted UCAT + ATAR aggregate.
Places & interview: MMI (online via Zoom): 6 stations, 2 min reading + 8 min answering each

New South Wales

UNSW

B Medical Studies / MD · 6 yrs · apply via UAC + UNSW portal

UCAT

Min. ATAR: 96.00 without adjustments (91.00 rural pathway)
Prerequisites: None (Chemistry recommended)
UCAT use: Min. 50th percentile (40th for rural pathway)
Selection & weighting: ATAR, UCAT and interview each count separately — scores are not averaged, so a high score in one can't rescue a low score in another.
Places & interview: ~350 general-entry interviews plus Gateway (~60), Lateral (~30) and rural rounds; structured face-to-face interview with 2 interviewers

Newcastle / New England (JMP)

B Medical Science / MD · 5 yrs · apply via UAC + JMP application

UCAT

Min. ATAR: 94.3 standard / 85 rural (rural/remote school leavers)
Prerequisites: None
UCAT use: VR + DM + QR aggregate; SJT not used for 2027 admission
Selection & weighting: UCAT + Multiple Skills Assessment (MMI-style) + online Personal Qualities Assessment (PQA, same day, when MSA is face-to-face). ATAR is a threshold.
Places & interview: MSA: rotating 8-min stations (currently 6); interviews late Nov–early Dec (mid-Jan for interstate)

Western Sydney University

B Clinical Science (Medicine) / MD · 5 yrs · apply via UAC

UCAT

Min. ATAR: 95.5 (93.5 Greater Western Sydney / 91.5 rural REAS)
Prerequisites: None stated
UCAT use: Threshold to reach interview; 25% of final ranking
Selection & weighting: ATAR + UCAT thresholds to reach interview; final ranking is Interview 75% + UCAT 25%.
Places & interview: MMI (~8-min stations, via Zoom), late November; offers via UAC in January

Charles Sturt University

B Clinical Science (Medicine) / MD · 5 yrs · apply via UAC

UCAT

Min. ATAR: 95.5 (91.5 rural)
Prerequisites: None stated
UCAT use: Ranks applicants for interview (25% of final selection)
Selection & weighting: Academic + UCAT thresholds, then MMI 75% + UCAT 25%.
Places & interview: MMI via Zoom in November (6 × 8-min stations); 80% of interviews to NSW applicants

Queensland

Bond University

B Medical Studies / MD · 4 yrs 8 mths · apply via QTAC

No UCAT

Min. ATAR: 96+ (IB 38+) to be competitive
Prerequisites: English (Units 3&4, C)
Admissions test: Own online psychometric test (fee paid to provider)
Selection & weighting: Academic results, psychometric test and interview — a staged process where each is a threshold, not weighted.
Places & interview: Up to 180 places/yr (80% undergrad); ~900 invited to testing, ~400 shortlisted for online interview. Full fee — no CSP.

James Cook University

MBBS · 6 yrs · apply via QTAC + direct JCU application

No UCAT

Min. ATAR: No set minimum (2025 lowest offers ~85)
Prerequisites: English, Mathematical Methods and Chemistry (Units 3&4, C)
Admissions test: None — no UCAT required
Selection & weighting: Academic performance + online panel interview (Kira Talent) + rurality. Written statements are no longer used for Medicine.
Places & interview: ~170 domestic places (Townsville & Cairns, 2027); interviews late Nov + early Jan rounds; rural access & Indigenous pathways

Western Australia

Curtin University

MBBS · 5 yrs · apply via TISC

UCATCasper

Min. ATAR: 95 (incl. adjustments, capped at 99.95)
Prerequisites: Chemistry and English
UCAT use: UCAT + Casper both required
Selection & weighting: Interview offers ranked on Casper 35% + ATAR 35% + UCAT 30%. Final ranking: ATAR 40% + Interview 40% + UCAT 20%.
Places & interview: MMI; WA's only undergraduate-entry medical school; Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander applicants exempt from Casper

Northern Territory

Charles Darwin University

Menzies Medical Program (B Clinical Sciences / MD) · 5 yrs · apply via SATAC

Min. ATAR: 85 (after adjustments)
Prerequisites: None stated
UCAT use: Not used for this stream
Selection & weighting: Final ranking: Interview 50% + Academic 50%.
Places & interview: 40 places (NT resident 16, NT First Nations 16, national First Nations 6, rural/remote 2); 160 interviewed, late November

Charles Darwin University

Flinders NT pathway (2 yrs at CDU → 4-yr NT Medical Program) · apply via SATAC

UCAT

Min. ATAR: 90 to be competitive (85 Indigenous)
Prerequisites: None stated
UCAT use: 10% of selection
Selection & weighting: Academic 90% + UCAT 10%.
Places & interview: Only 12 places (NT resident 5, NT First Nations 5, national First Nations 2)

Tasmania

University of Tasmania

B Medical Science / MD · 5 yrs · apply direct to UTAS

UCAT

Min. ATAR: 95 (incl. rural adjustment)
Prerequisites: English and Chemistry (within last 5 yrs; Chemistry gap fixable via a UTAS foundation unit)
UCAT use: Min. 50th percentile, then used as a tie-breaker
Selection & weighting: Ranked by ATAR; UCAT breaks ties. No interview.
Places & interview: Applications close late September; first offers mid-December (Tas) / January (interstate)

MedTute tip: If your UCAT is your weak point, look at Flinders (10%), UTAS (mostly a tie-breaker), Griffith (optional tie-breaker), JCU and Bond (no UCAT at all) — or Sydney's double degrees, which don't use the UCAT either. If your UCAT is your strength, Adelaide, Monash and the JMP reward it heavily at the interview-offer stage.

Part 2

Undergraduate Provisional Entry — Guaranteed MD, Degree First

These pathways are still for school leavers, but instead of starting medicine in first year, you receive a conditional place in the MD: complete a specified bachelor degree with a minimum GPA and your medical school seat is waiting for you. No GAMSAT, no re-applying.

University of Queensland

MD Provisional Entry → UQ MD (after any UQ bachelor)

Min. ATAR: 95 (adjusted)
Prerequisites: English
Conditions: Complete degree in minimum time with GPA ≥ 5/7; CSP places (quota-limited)
Selection (Year 12): Adjusted ATAR 25% + UCAT 25% + MMI 50% (MMI score breaks ties).

University of Queensland

B Medical Science / MD dual degree → UQ MD (6 yrs total)

Min. ATAR: 95 (adjusted)
Prerequisites: English + Mathematical Methods
Conditions: ~20 domestic places (first intake 2027)
Selection (Year 12): UCAT ranks applicants for interview; UCAT + MMI required.

University of Sydney

BA/MD and BSc/MD double degrees → Sydney MD (7 yrs total)

Min. ATAR: 99.95 (99.5 minimum for regional/remote & MySydney schemes; 90 for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander applicants)
Prerequisites: Course-specific; check USyd
Conditions: Only 30 domestic places
Selection (Year 12): No UCAT. ATAR + written assessment + panel discussion session.

University of Melbourne

Chancellor's Scholarship (guaranteed MD pathway) → Melbourne MD (after a UoM bachelor)

Min. ATAR: 99.90 (90 for Indigenous applicants)
Prerequisites: MD prerequisites within chosen bachelor
Conditions: Guaranteed CSP in the MD; maintain ≥70 average; start MD within 18 months of finishing the bachelor
Selection (Year 12): Automatic with qualifying ATAR; no GAMSAT — MD entry via bachelor WAM + satisfactory MMI.

Griffith University

Via B Medical Science → Griffith MD

Min. ATAR: 99.90 Gold Coast / 99.95 Nathan (2026 entry)
Prerequisites: None assessable (English, Maths Methods + a science assumed knowledge)
Conditions: ~80 of 208 MD places reserved for Griffith + UniSC BMedSci graduates; GPA ≥ 5.5 to progress; rural priority scheme (RA2–5)
Selection (Year 12): ATAR-based; UCAT is optional, used only as a tie-breaker within an ATAR band. No interview.

CQUniversity

B Medical Science → UQ rural MD (Rockhampton / Bundaberg)

Min. ATAR: 95 (adjusted)
Prerequisites: English, Mathematical Methods, one science
Conditions: CSP at both campuses (quota-limited); GPA ≥ 5/7 to progress
Selection (Year 12): Adjusted ATAR 25% + UCAT 25% + MMI 50% (online MMI).

UniSC (Sunshine Coast)

B Medical Science → Griffith rural MD (Sunshine Coast)

Min. ATAR: 99.90 (99.30 rural & regional workforce schemes)
Prerequisites: None (English recommended)
Conditions: 20 CSP; GPA ≥ 5.5 to progress; no prior tertiary study allowed
Selection (Year 12): ATAR-based; UCAT tie-breaker only. No interview. Standard adjustment factors don't apply.

UniSQ (Southern Queensland)

B Biomedical Sciences (Medicine Pathway) → UQ rural MD (Toowoomba)

Min. ATAR: 95 (adjusted)
Prerequisites: English + Maths (any of General, Methods or Specialist)
Conditions: Interview spots split between local, rural (MM2–7) and other applicants; GPA ≥ 5/7 to progress
Selection (Year 12): Adjusted ATAR 25% + UCAT 25% + MMI 50% (8 stations, ~10 min each, via video; MMI breaks ties).

University of Western Australia

Direct (Assured) Pathways → UWA MD or DMD (after a UWA bachelor)

Min. ATAR: 98 (High Academic, Broadway & Rural pathways; 90 Indigenous pathway)
Prerequisites: English competency
Conditions: 206 domestic MD places, up to 50% via school-leaver entry (~103); ~36 DMD; GPA ≥ 5.5 in first 2 yrs to progress
Selection (Year 12): ATAR 98 + UCAT + interview. Final ranking: Interview 50% + ATAR 30% + UCAT 20% (rural pathway adds a 25% rurality component).

Part 3

Postgraduate (Graduate) Entry — Degree First, Then Medicine

If you don't get in from school — or discover medicine later — this is the second major route. You complete any bachelor degree, then apply with your GPA + GAMSAT (not UCAT), usually through the centralised GEMSAS system. Monash, Sydney and Flinders run their graduate programs outside GEMSAS.

University of Melbourne

Doctor of Medicine (MD) · 4 yrs · apply via GEMSAS

Key selection details: GAMSAT + GPA; final selection MMI 50% + GPA 25% + GAMSAT 25%. (School leavers: see the Chancellor's Scholarship pathway in Part 2.)

University of Sydney

Doctor of Medicine (MD) · 4 yrs · apply via UAC + university application (outside GEMSAS)

Key selection details: Bachelor degree with GPA ≥ 65 (credit) + GAMSAT ≥ 50 in all three sections. (School leavers: see the 99.95 double degrees in Part 2.)

ANU

Doctor of Medicine and Surgery (MChD) · 4 yrs · apply via GEMSAS

Key selection details: Weighted GPA ≥ 5.0 + GAMSAT ≥ 50 overall and per section; interview selection 50:50 GPA:GAMSAT; offers 50% interview + 50% composite. School leavers can enter the B Health Science pathway (~30 domestic offers, WAM 75+, competitive — not guaranteed).

Deakin University

Doctor of Medicine · 4 yrs · apply via GEMSAS

Key selection details: Weighted GPA ≥ 5.0 + GAMSAT ≥ 50 per section and overall; final aggregate MMI 50% + GPA 25% + GAMSAT 25%. Graduate entry only (2026 intake averages: GPA 6.72, GAMSAT 65.9).

Monash University

Graduate-entry MD · 4 yrs · apply direct (outside GEMSAS)

Key selection details: At least 70% of places reserved for Monash B Biomedical Science graduates; other eligible degrees include Pharmacy (Hons), Physiotherapy (Hons) and Science.

Flinders University

Doctor of Medicine · 4 yrs · apply direct (outside GEMSAS)

Key selection details: GAMSAT + weighted GPA + interview, equally weighted; ~50-min semi-structured panel interview (Sep–Oct). No prerequisites.

University of Queensland

Doctor of Medicine · 4 yrs · apply via QTAC/direct

Key selection details: GPA ≥ 5/7 (degree within 10 yrs) + GAMSAT ≥ 50 per section; final ranking MMI 50% + GAMSAT 25% + GPA 25%. ~275 domestic MD places overall incl. regional pathways.

Griffith University

Doctor of Medicine · 4 yrs · apply via GEMSAS

Key selection details: GPA ≥ 5.0 + GAMSAT ≥ 50 per section; ranked 50:50 GPA:GAMSAT for the GUMSAA multi-station assessment; offers can't be deferred.

University of Notre Dame

MD (Fremantle & Sydney) · 4 yrs · apply via GEMSAS

Casper

Key selection details: GPA + GAMSAT + Casper + interview. Priority Pathway reserves MD places for Notre Dame B Biomedical Science graduates (GPA ≥ 6.0, GAMSAT ≥ 55).

UWA

MD / DMD graduate entry · 4 yrs · apply via GEMSAS

Key selection details: Graduate stream alongside the school-leaver Direct Pathways above.

University of Tasmania

Graduate entry to MD · apply direct

Key selection details: Unweighted GPA ≥ 5.25 + GAMSAT ≥ 50 in all three sections; BBiomed quota within the graduate pathway from 2027. Limited places.

Part 4

New Zealand (Open to Australian Students)

Australian citizens and permanent residents are generally treated as domestic students in NZ — including for fees. Both programs select after a common first year rather than directly from school.

University of Auckland

MBChB (6 yrs) — apply after first-year BHSc or BSc (Biomedical Science)

UCAT

UCAT use: 15% — final UCAT year: from 2028 entry, selection becomes MMI 50% + Casper 50%
Selection: GPA 60% + MMI 25% + UCAT 15% (2027 entry). GPA ≥ 6.0 across the seven core first-year courses (no fails) to be invited to interview; the 60% GPA component comes from the four core courses (BIOSCI 107, CHEM 110, MEDSCI 142, POPLHLTH 111). You get one chance to apply via First Year entry.

University of Otago

MBChB (6 yrs) — apply after Health Sciences First Year (HSFY)

UCAT

UCAT use: Threshold in all 4 sections, set annually
Selection: Pass all HSFY papers at first attempt with ≥ 65%, meet the UCAT threshold, pass the English diagnostic test (or ENGL 128). No interview.

At a Glance

Quick Reference: Who Uses What?

Requirement	Universities
No UCAT needed	Bond (own psychometric test), JCU, Sydney double degrees, Griffith (optional tie-breaker only), Melbourne Chancellor's pathway, all graduate-entry programs (GAMSAT instead)
UCAT but no interview	Flinders (undergrad), UTAS, UniSC pathway, Otago (HSFY)
Casper required	Curtin (undergrad), Notre Dame (graduate), Auckland from 2028 entry
Highest published ATAR bars	Sydney 99.95, Griffith 99.90–99.95, Melbourne 99.90, UniSC 99.90, UWA 98
Most rural-friendly cut-offs	JMP (ATAR 85 rural), JCU (no set minimum), CDU (85), UNSW (91 rural), WSU (91.5 REAS), CSU (91.5)

Glossary

Abbreviations & Key Terms

ATAR: Australian Tertiary Admission Rank — your Year 12 ranking, out of 99.95.
UCAT: University Clinical Aptitude Test — the 2-hour computer-based admissions test used for most undergraduate entry.
GAMSAT: Graduate Medical School Admissions Test — used for graduate entry instead of the UCAT.
Casper: An online situational-judgement test assessing professionalism and empathy.
SJT: Situational Judgement Test — Section 4 of the UCAT.
VR / DM / QR: The UCAT's three cognitive sections: Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making and Quantitative Reasoning.
MMI: Multiple Mini Interview — a circuit of short, timed interview stations.
MSA / PQA: Multiple Skills Assessment and Personal Qualities Assessment — the JMP's interview-day components.
GPA: Grade Point Average — your university marks, usually on a 7-point scale.
WAM: Weighted Average Mark — a percentage-based average of your university marks.
MD: Doctor of Medicine — the standard Australian medical degree.
MBBS / MBChB: Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery — the equivalent medical degree at some universities (MBChB in NZ).
DMD: Doctor of Dental Medicine.
CSP: Commonwealth Supported Place — a government-subsidised university place.
SATAC / UAC / QTAC / VTAC / TISC: The state tertiary admissions centres you apply through (SA & NT, NSW & ACT, QLD, VIC and WA respectively).
GEMSAS: Graduate Entry Medical School Admissions System — the centralised application system for most graduate-entry programs.
JMP: Joint Medical Program — the combined Newcastle / New England program.
HSFY: Health Sciences First Year — Otago's common first year.
SEAS / REAS: Equity and rural adjustment schemes (Victoria's Special Entry Access Scheme; Western Sydney's Rural Entry Adjustment Scheme).
RA / MM: Remoteness Area and Modified Monash classifications — the systems used to define rural background.
EAL: English as an Additional Language.
IB: International Baccalaureate — an alternative Year 12 qualification.

Important: Admissions criteria change every year — weightings, place numbers and cut-offs above were checked against official university admissions pages for the 2026 application cycle (2027 entry) but are indicative only. Always confirm details on the university's own admissions page before you apply, and check UAC/QTAC/SATAC/VTAC/TISC for exact closing dates.

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Sources: official university admissions pages (accessed July 2026) cross-checked against the MedEntry University Admissions Guide. For graduate-entry applications see GEMSAS. International students should apply directly to universities.