How to become a doctor in Australia
Learn how you can embark on a journey from medical student to specialist consultant.
Embarking on a medical career in Australia is a structured journey that begins with a strong academic foundation and culminates in specialised practice. At UNSW, our Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine (BMed/MD) program offers a comprehensive pathway, combining rigorous academic training with practical clinical experience. This guide outlines each step, from meeting entry requirements to achieving full registration, providing aspiring doctors with the information needed to navigate their future in medicine.
If you've got your heart set on becoming a doctor, why wait to start your medical career?
We're one of the few universities in Australia that offers a medical degree at the undergraduate level, so you can study medicine straight from high school. Medicine is a highly rewarding career, but becoming a doctor is no easy feat. It takes years of study, hard work and intern training to become a registered doctor and several more years of training to become a qualified specialist. In this guide, we break down your pathway to practice.
Understanding the medical career pathway
Pursuing a career in medicine can provide a dynamic and fulfilling career path. To become a doctor, you’ll need to undertake intensive training after you finish high school. To understand the journey ahead, the following information can help guide you.
Your pathway to becoming a doctor in Australia
| Step | Requirement |
|---|---|
| #1 | Complete high school |
| #2 | Sit the University Clinical Aptitude Test for Australia and New Zealand (UCAT ANZ) |
| #3 | Complete the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) application by the closing date |
| #4 | Begin your application on the Medicine Application Portal (MAP) |
| #5 | Highly ranked students receive an interview invitation as part of the medical program selection process |
| #6 | Begin the UNSW BMed/MD program, a six-year integrated undergraduate medicine degree |
| #7 | Complete a one-year medical internship at a recognised hospital |
| #8 | Complete one or more years of prevocational training |
| #9 | Following residency, you’ll be eligible to apply for vocational training (also known as medical specialty) |
| #10 | Apply for general registration with the Medical Board of Australia |
| #11 | Enter a specialty training program if desired (e.g., surgery, paediatrics, general practice) |
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Entry requirements for UNSW's medical program
The entry requirements for UNSW’s medical program involve the following.
For local applicants
- It is recommended you complete English Standard (or higher) as it is assumed knowledge
- Complete year 12 and acquire an ATAR or equivalent – refer to the entry requirements on the degree page for more information
- Complete UCAT ANZ, an external admissions test
- Successful applicants will receive an invitation for an interview where the interview result will be reviewed, in conjunction with your ATAR and UCAT ANZ
For international applicants
- You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency
- Acquire the relevant secondary qualifications
- Complete the ISAT or UCAT, an admissions test to enter the program. Which test you complete will depend on where you’re studying and what you have access to
- Successful applicants will receive an invitation for an interview where the interview result will be reviewed, in conjunction with their marks and UCAT
You can see the entry requirements for more information.
Pathway to medical practice
Click through each section below to explore a medical career pathway.
- Studying medicine
- Internships
- Residency and vocational training
- Career opportunities and specialisations
Internships
You must complete 12 months of supervised clinical experience to become a registered doctor. As an intern, also known as a postgraduate year one (PGY1) doctor, you'll complete three mandatory core rotations in medicine, surgery and emergency medical care, along with non-core rotations to make up the balance of the intern year. This pre-registration year will help you transition from medical school to working as a clinical doctor. Senior colleagues will provide support, feedback, teaching and assessment as you apply and expand your clinical knowledge and skills.
After completing an accredited intern year, you'll gain general registration from the Medical Board of Australia.
Note: The application process, including prioritisation and allocation systems, varies by state. Refer to state-based websites for detailed information. International students may wish to consider the Junior Doctor Training Program Private Hospital Stream.
Residency and vocational training
Residency is typically a period of one or two years of prevocational training. As a Resident Medical Officer (RMO), you may undertake research or further training to prepare for a specialty training program. While it’s possible to gain entry into some specialist medical colleges after completing your internship (PGY1), most colleges prefer applicants to have completed a further two (PGY2) or three (PGY3) years of postgraduate training. For highly competitive colleges, entry into specialist training programs can take several years.
Following your residency, you’ll be eligible to apply for a medical specialty (also known as a ‘vocational’) training program through an accredited medical college in Australia. When you’re accepted into an accredited specialty training program, you’re considered a ‘registrar’ or ‘trainee specialist doctor’.
To qualify for a fellowship at a specialist medical college, you’ll complete assessments and rigorous on-the-job training. The length of vocational training programs varies by specialty. For example, if you want to go into general practice, it takes three years to become a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). After completing your vocational training, you’ll be eligible for fellowship of your chosen college and gain specialist medical registration from the Medical Board of Australia. You’ll be eligible to practice medicine independently and work as a specialist physician, general practitioner, or a surgeon.
Career opportunities and specialisations
Our graduates build diverse and fulfilling careers in a broad range of roles throughout the medical field.
With further study and hands-on experience, you can specialise in areas like general practice, cardiology, paediatrics, general surgery, oncology, pathology, psychiatry and radiology.
If you decide not to pursue medicine in a private clinic or hospital, this degree can equip you with an alternative career path in medical research, medical education and health policy.
Frequently asked questions about becoming a doctor
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To become a doctor in Australia, the time frame differs between institutions. At UNSW, an undergraduate degree takes six years of full-time study to complete, followed by one year of internships and one to two years of residency.
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UNSW Med is a six year program.
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The requirements to get into medical school in Australia will differ between institutions. At UNSW, you will need to complete the relevant secondary qualifications, obtain an ATAR or equivalent, complete the UCAT ANZ for local students or the ISAT for international students, and if successful, receive an invitation for an interview.
Take the first step to becoming a doctor
Join an inclusive, collaborative community that's leading the future of health. Visit our how to apply page below to get started and learn about applying for undergraduate medicine through UAC or directly through Apply Online.
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