February 10, 2026

MBBS in Australia for International Students: Complete Guide

Universities, Costs, Pathways, NEET & Visa Requirements Explained

Disclaimer: This guide provides general information only. Entry requirements, costs, and visa assessments are subject to change based on university policies and Australian immigration regulations.

Most students searching for MBBS in Australia don’t realise that while a few Australian universities still offer the MBBS qualification, most medical schools in Australia now award the Doctor of Medicine (MD). Both MBBS and MD are Australian Medical Council (AMC) accredited and lead to medical registration after completion of the required internship.

If you are planning to invest AUD 400,000+ and several years studying medicine in Australia, it is critical to understand how the system works. Admission requirements, pathway structures, financial commitments, and student visa scrutiny for medical courses are significantly different from most other degrees.

Australia attracts thousands of international students each year for medical education due to its globally recognised qualifications, strong clinical training, and long-term career outcomes. However, medicine remains one of the most complex and high-risk courses from both an admissions and visa perspective. This guide explains the genuine pathways, costs, entrance exams, and visa requirements for international students planning to study medicine in Australia.

What Is MBBS Called in Australia?

Australia offers medical degrees under two main award titles:

Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) – offered by a limited number of universities
Doctor of Medicine (MD) – offered by most Australian medical schools

Both qualifications:

Are accredited by the Australian Medical Council (AMC)
Require completion of a mandatory 12-month supervised internship
Lead to registration with AHPRA
Allow graduates to work as doctors in Australia (subject to internship and visa availability)

The difference between MBBS and MD in Australia relates mainly to degree structure, not professional recognition.

Medical Pathways in Australia

There are three recognised pathways to study medicine in Australia. Understanding which pathway aligns with your academic background and financial capacity is essential before applying.

Pathway 1: Undergraduate Medicine (Direct Entry After Year 12)

This pathway allows students to enter medicine directly after completing Year 12 or equivalent.

Duration: 5–6 years
Required subjects: Biology and Chemistry
Entrance exams: UCAT or ISAT
International seats: Extremely limited
Indicative academic standard:
International applicants are typically expected to demonstrate an ATAR (or equivalent) in the range of 95–99+, depending on the university, entrance exam performance, and availability of international places.

Entry standards are exceptionally high, and even academically strong international students may not secure admission due to quota restrictions.

Pathway 2: Special Exception – Foundation Studies in Medicine (University of Newcastle Only)

Australia does not generally offer foundation or diploma pathways into medicine.

The only exception is the Foundation Studies in Medicine (FSM) program offered by the University of Newcastle College of International Education. This pathway is suitable only for high-performing school leavers who narrowly miss direct undergraduate medicine entry but demonstrate strong academic potential in science-based subjects.

This is a quota-based, packaged pathway into the university’s Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine (Joint Medical Program).

Duration: 12 months (2 semesters)
Tuition fee: AUD 37,400 (plus additional fees)
Intake: February
Total pathway duration: 1 year foundation + 5 years medicine = 6 years

Progression into medicine is not guaranteed. Students must meet all academic and interview requirements, and FSM remains a competitive pathway requiring consistent high performance throughout the foundation year.

Note: Australia’s only foundation-to-medicine pathway is the University of Newcastle’s FSM program.

Pathway 3: Graduate Entry Medicine (Most Common for International Students)

This is the most common and practical pathway for international students.

Students complete a relevant bachelor’s degree (typically Biomedical Science, Health Science, or Science) followed by the Doctor of Medicine.

Bachelor’s degree: 3 years
Doctor of Medicine: 4 years
Entrance exams: GAMSAT or MCAT
Required GPA: Generally, 6.5–7.0 or higher
Interview and holistic assessment

Meeting indicative scores does not guarantee admission. Selection is based on GPA, exam performance, interview outcomes, and international seat availability.

This pathway offers broader university options, clearer academic progression, and stronger Genuine Student (GS) defensibility.

Comparison: Undergraduate vs Graduate Entry Medicine in Australia

Factor	Undergraduate Medicine	Graduate Entry Medicine
Entry level	After Year 12	After bachelor’s degree
Total duration	5–6 years	7 years (3 + 4)
Indicative academic standard	ATAR 95–99+	GPA 6.5–7.0+
Entrance exams	UCAT / ISAT	GAMSAT / MCAT
International seats	Extremely limited	Limited but more available
Realistic option for internationals	Rare	Most common
GS defensibility	Moderate	Stronger

Universities Offering Medicine to International Students

Availability, entry level (school-leaver vs graduate), and international seat allocation vary significantly by university.

Universities offering MBBS include:

James Cook University
Curtin University
University of Queensland (select pathways)

Universities offering Doctor of Medicine (MD) include:

The universities listed above are indicative examples only. Australia has additional medical schools, and availability for international students varies by university and pathway.

Cost of Studying Medicine in Australia

Medicine is one of the most expensive degrees in Australia.

Annual tuition fees: AUD 65,000–90,000
Living expenses: Approximately AUD 29,710 per year
Total estimated cost: AUD 350,000–450,000+

For graduate-entry pathways, the total investment can exceed AUD 500,000 once undergraduate study costs are included.

If supporting AUD 80,000–100,000 annually would place significant long-term financial strain on your family, medicine in Australia may not be a suitable option.

Financial Reality Check (Important)

If your family cannot comfortably support AUD 80,000–100,000 per year over a 4–7 year period without causing long-term financial strain, or if the plan relies entirely on education loans, it is important to realistically reassess whether studying medicine in Australia is a viable option.

Australian universities and visa officers expect to see sustainable and verifiable financial capacity, not loan approvals alone. Financial stress during medical school does not only affect academic performance – it can also impact mental health, clinical training outcomes, and, most critically, a student’s ability to maintain visa compliance throughout a demanding program. Many students underestimate ongoing living costs, emergency expenses, and the very limited capacity to work part-time during medical studies.

Is NEET Required for Australia?

NEET is not required for admission to Australian medical schools. Australian universities assess applicants using UCAT, ISAT, GAMSAT, or MCAT depending on the pathway.

NEET becomes relevant only if a student intends to return to India, where FMGE or NEXT requirements apply under the National Medical Commission.

NEET does not influence Australian visa decisions and does not replace Australian university entrance requirements.

Can International Students Work as Doctors in Australia After Graduation?

Graduates must complete the following steps:

Graduate from an AMC-accredited MBBS or MD
Complete a mandatory 12-month supervised internship
Obtain registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)

Internship availability for international students is competitive and not guaranteed.

Career Outcomes (After MBBS/MD in Australia)

After completing an AMC-accredited MBBS or MD and the mandatory internship, graduates who obtain AHPRA registration can progress through Australia’s structured medical training pathway.

Yes, international graduates can work as doctors in Australia after completing internship and obtaining AHPRA registration, subject to visa conditions and training pathway availability.

Career progression typically follows this sequence:

Intern (PGY1)
Resident Medical Officer (PGY2/PGY3)
Entry into specialist training programs (subject to competitiveness and eligibility)

Medical career progression in Australia is structured and can take several additional years depending on the chosen specialty, training availability, and location. Internship and specialist training positions are competitive, and outcomes may vary based on hospital networks, geographic preferences, and individual performance.

Salaries vary by state, hospital, award agreement, and level of training. Medical graduates should expect gradual progression rather than immediate high earnings.

Student Visa & Genuine Student (GS) Considerations

Medical courses often attract higher scrutiny under Australia’s Subclass 500 student visa framework due to:

High course costs
Long duration of study
Strong post-study employment outcomes

Visa officers assess whether:

The course aligns with the student’s academic background
Financial capacity is sustainable and verifiable
The applicant demonstrates genuine educational intent, not migration-focused motives

Strong academic results alone do not guarantee visa approval.

Visa officers may also consider whether:

The length of medical study is reasonable given the applicant’s age and career stage
The plan relies on future Australian income or post-study work rights rather than present financial capacity

Who Should Reconsider Studying Medicine in Australia?

This pathway may not be suitable for students who:

Rely entirely on large education loans without stable family income
Lack strong science foundations
Seek fast or low-cost medical degrees
Are primarily motivated by migration outcomes

Final Advice: Get Expert Guidance

Studying medicine in Australia offers world-class education and global recognition, but it requires long-term commitment, strong finances, and careful visa planning. Students should seek professional guidance before proceeding to ensure their profile, pathway choice, and visa strategy are aligned.

Contact Aussizz Group for personalized guidance that prioritizes your success, not just enrollment.