If you’re fascinated by the human body and have a desire to help people, healthcare might be the career for you!
Australia offers many world-class medical programs and has a high demand for passionate practitioners, making it the perfect place to launch your career.
However, there are some important requirements you must meet to study and practise medicine. Read on to discover the steps to becoming a doctor in Australia.
1. Complete a bachelor’s degree
Your first step towards a career in medicine is to undertake an undergraduate degree, also known as a bachelor’s.
Some Australian universities require you to complete specific subjects or a certain undergraduate degree to gain entry into a medical program, but others don’t. Some even offer handy pathways, which we’ll cover in step four.
2. Apply for entry into a postgraduate medicine degree
It’s a good idea to research where you’d like to study medicine so you can learn about the application process and entry requirements for that course. This will give you the best chance of getting into your dream program.
Entry requirements for postgraduate medicine degrees vary depending on the university and whether you received your bachelor’s in Australia or overseas. Typically, though, you’ll need to follow the steps below:
Achieve a minimum GPA in your bachelor’s degree
The minimum grade point average (GPA) you’ll require depends on the postgraduate program you choose, but generally, you’ll need to have maintained high average grades.
Sit an admissions test
If you completed your undergraduate studies in Australia, you’ll need to pass the Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT).
Alternatively, if you graduated overseas, you’ll have to sit the International Student Admission Test (ISAT).
Complete an interview
Some programs require you to undertake an interview as part of the application process. The interview helps gather information about your education, background, goals and skills, such as communication and interpersonal skills.
If you completed your bachelor’s degree overseas, you may also need to take an English test to demonstrate your language skills.
Special pathways
Some universities, such as the University of Notre Dame, offer unique pathways into medicine.
For example, the assured pathway is available for high-achieving school leavers who qualify for entry into a Bachelor of Biomedical Science or a Bachelor of Advanced Biomedical Science (Honours). This pathway guarantees you a place in the Doctor of Medicine program, providing you maintain the required GPA in your undergraduate degree.
Alternatively, the priority pathway is available to graduates who achieve top results in their undergraduate Bachelor of Biomedical Science and fast-tracks their admission into the Doctor of Medicine.
3. Complete your postgraduate medicine degree
In Australia, postgraduate medical programs usually take four years. It’s important to work hard and achieve good grades in all your subjects so you can continue on your path to becoming a doctor.
4. Alternative pathway: Undergraduate medicine degree
Some universities in Australia offer undergraduate medicine degrees, which take five or six years to complete.
Entry requirements differ, but typically, you’ll need to have received excellent grades in high school (or equivalent) and must pass either the ISAT or the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT ANZ). You may also have to attend an interview.
5. Complete your intern year
After you’ve finished your medical degree, you’ll have to undertake an internship. This usually involves working in a clinic or hospital under the supervision of a senior doctor.
Once you’ve finished your intern year, you’ll be able to work in Australia as a general practitioner.
6. Optional: Complete further specialist training (residency)
If you want to become a specialist, like a surgeon or an anaesthetist, you’ll need further training to gain the skills and knowledge required to succeed in that career. This is often called a residency.
Depending on your specialisation, this can take an extra year or even multiple years to complete.
7. Live your dream: Work as a doctor
Once you’ve finished all of these steps, you’ll be ready to work as a doctor in Australia!
The medical qualifications you gain here can also help you find work overseas. However, you may have to pursue further training, depending on your destination country.
Read more: Medicine in Australia: A guide to emerging job opportunities
If you’re ready to start your exciting career in medicine, explore courses at The University of Notre Dame Australia and apply today.
