What Are the Best Medical Schools in Australia for Canadian Students in 2025?
Topics covered
- 5 min
- Published: 21 August 2025
- Updated: 20 August 2025
Australia has long been a popular destination for Canadians interested in studying medicine abroad. Not only is the country known for having medical schools where no MCAT is required, they also offer streamlined entry directly from high school and joint degree programs, which can mean cheaper overall study costs. On top of this, their schools offer unique opportunities for prospective GPs, including partnerships with industry leaders and real-world emergency exposure.
In this blog, we’ll cover the best medical schools in Australia for Canadian students, including their strengths, which schools offer a joint degree program, how to apply, and how you can practice in Canada after graduation. We will also look at requirements for medical schools in Australia, what it means to study medicine in Australia as a Canadian, information about accredited Australian medical schools for international students, and the best medical universities in Australia.
Why Do Canadian Students Choose Australia for Medical School
Globally Recognized Degrees
Many of the top medical programs in Australia are ranked in the top 100 in the world. Plus, after graduation you can easily transfer your degree to work in Canada by taking the right accreditation.
Easier Admission Compared to Canada
Medical programs in Australia have an admission rate of 30%, in comparison to 18% in Canada. There are also some Australian universities that offer a direct entry to a medical program from high school such as UNSW, Monash, UWA and Adelaide.
High Demand for GPs
As population ages and the number of chronic illnesses grows, Australia is seeing a surge in demand for GPs, with shortfalls predicted to grow to 8.6K by 2048. The Australian Government also provides financial incentives for graduates to practice in rural areas, such as the Workforce Incentive Program.
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Comparing Direct vs Graduate Entry for Australian Medical School
Direct Entry (Undergraduate)
This pathway is for high school graduates with strong grades and a high University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) score. Completing this program usually takes 5-6 years.
Pros:
Shorter program completion
Lower overall cost of tuition
Cons:
Very competitive
Limited experience
Can be more stressful due to lack of life experience
Graduate Entry
For students who have completed an undergraduate degree and have completed the Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT). This program takes around 4 years to complete (a total of 7 years if you include your bachelor’s degree)
Pros:
More comprehensive
Proven academic performance and knowledge
Programs recognized for quality education
Cons:
Higher overall cost of tuition
Potentially more specific prerequisites
Some schools, like the University of Newcastle (Australia), offer joint degree programs where you can complete a simultaneous undergraduate and graduate medical degree within 5 years.
Is an Australian medical degree recognized in Canada?
Yes, as long as you graduate from an acceptable school recognized by the Medical Council of Canada. Here’s what you need to know about practicing in Canada after graduation.
Steps to Approval
Here are the preliminary steps to getting your license approved in Canada:
Verifying your medical credentials through your MCC physiciansapply.ca account
Passing the MCC Qualifying Examination Part 1, which is a standard for all graduates
Passing the NAC assessment for international medical students.
Return Pathways for Medical Licensure in Canada
According to the MCC, here are the key pathways for practicing in Canada as an international medical graduate (IMGS).
CaRMS match. IMGs are matched with a Canadian residency program for retraining.
Practice-Ready Assessment programs. For IMGs who have already completed a residency and have an established practice abroad.
Approved jurisdictions. For IMGs with verified training equivalent to Canadian training based on set requirements and assessments.
Practice eligibility route. For IMGs with medical training abroad in a recognized primary specialty.
For more information see the MCC’s Pathways for international medical graduates page.
What Are the Entry Requirements for Canadian Students?
If you want to study in Australia, here’s an overview of the medical school requirements for Canadians.
GPA and Academic Background
84% – 93%
Admission Tests
Undergraduate entry: International Student Admissions Test (ISAT) OR University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT)
Graduate entry: MCAT*
*Note: Not all schools require an MCAT. Check each school’s program page for more details.
English Language Requirements (IELTS/TOEFL)
IELTS: Overall score of 7.0 with minimum 7.0 in any band score.
TOEFL: 94-100
Other Documents: SOP, LORs, Resume
Consult your school’s program page for specific information on entry requirements, but generally you will need:
Academic transcripts
A statement of purpose
Your resume or CV
Letters of recommendation
How Much Does Medical School Cost in Australia for a Canadian?
Here’s an overview of the typical costs of living in Australia as an international student.
Tuition
Your student fees can vary depending on your school, degree type, and program. For information about individual programs, always check the school or university website for updates related to fees. Alternatively, you can book a free consultation with an expert counsellor at IDP Canada.
Cost of Living
The typical annual cost of living for international students in Australia ranges between:
Accommodation: CAD $6,000 - $21,600
Food and groceries: CAD $8,300
Utilities: CAD $1,600 - $2,600
Books and study materials: CAD $5,400 - $10,700
To create your own budget for studying in Australia, use IDP Education’s Cost of Living Calculator.
10 Best Medical Schools in Australia for Canadian Students in 2025
Here are the best programs for 2025, based on QS Top World University’s Medical Schools in Australia Rankings, including which schools offer a joint medical program.
1. University of Melbourne
Category | Details |
|---|---|
QS University Global Ranking: | 25 |
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025: | 20 |
Location | Melbourne |
Available Programs | Graduate, Graduate Diploma, Masters, Specialist Certificate, Doctorate |
Key Strengths | Transformative role in diabetes treatment. Home to the Australian Centre for Accelerating Diabetes Innovations for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Longstanding reputation in medicine. As one of the oldest medical schools in Australia, it has established its reputation on a global level and is known for its initiatives in diversity and inclusion. |
International Tuition Fees | The cost of each subject is determined by the discipline fee band it is grouped into and its study load. These fee bands are determined by the content of the subject, not the course. Find out more. |
Cost of Living in the City | The estimated monthly costs for a single person are CAD $1,530, excluding rent. Melbourne is 3.7% more expensive than Toronto. |
Admissions Process | Here are some guides and resources to help students complete their course application as they begin or continue study with the university. |
Scholarship opportunities | The University of Melbourne offers more than 1200 scholarships and prizes including bursaries and grants, for current and commencing students. Find out more. |
Internship opportunities | The Students@Work Internship program at the University of Melbourne matches applicants with on-campus internship opportunities, offering invaluable work and skill development experience. Find out more. |
2. University of Sydney
Category | Details |
|---|---|
QS University Global Ranking: | 27 |
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025: | 24 |
Location | Sydney |
Available Programs | Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Specialist medicine and surgery |
Key Strengths | Oldest medical school in Australia. Established in 1856, the University of Sydney School of Medicine has a reputation of excellence with over 160 years in medical education and research. National and international research impact. Wide-ranging role in research in over 19 disciplines that have resulted in innovations and discoveries with global significance. |
International Tuition Fees | The tuition fees you’ll pay will depend on the course you choose and the year you start studying with us. This guide explains how they work. |
Cost of Living in the City | The estimated monthly costs for a single person are CAD $1,613, excluding rent. Sydney is 9.3% more expensive than Toronto. |
Admissions Process | Here are some resources to help students with their application. |
Scholarship opportunities | The university offers a vast range of medicine and health scholarships across its undergraduate, postgraduate and research degrees. Find out more. |
Internship opportunities | Many of the health-related degrees at the University involve clinical placements in a range of health facilities. These form a core part of learning, giving students you the opportunity to develop skills and gain experience in a supervised environment. Find out more. |
3. Monash University*
Category | Details |
|---|---|
QS University Global Ranking: | 36 |
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025: | 47 |
Location | Melbourne |
Available Programs | |
Key Strengths | Relationships with leading healthcare partners. Known for their clinical placements with Alfred Health, Eastern Health, and Peninsula Health. Two joint medical programs. Offers joint medical programs for both direct entry from high school and a bachelor's degree. |
International Tuition Fees | Find out when and how to pay your fees, plan your payments, or use the fee calculator tools to calculate your course fees. Find out more. |
Cost of Living in the City | The estimated monthly costs for a single person are CAD $1,530, excluding rent. Melbourne is 3.7% more expensive than Toronto. |
Admissions Process | International students can find out about the admissions process for undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as research degrees. Click here for more. |
Scholarship opportunities | Looking for sponsorship and financial aid? Find out more about student loans, Australia Awards, and foreign financial aid. |
Internship opportunities | Get career-ready in real-world environments through internships, industry placements and collaborative projects supported by mentors and career experts. Find out more. |
4. University of New South Wales*
Category | Details |
|---|---|
QS University Global Ranking: | 20 |
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025: | 54 |
Location | Sydney |
Available Programs | |
Key Strengths | World-class biomedical precinct. Their Randwick Health and Education Precinct is a leading health, education, and research environment, with collaboration across government, industry, and academia. Strong links to industry leaders. Opportunity to learn in the country’s best hospitals and private practices from award-winning educators, clinicians, and leaders. |
International Tuition Fees | Tuition fees are available for undergraduate, postgraduate, and research programs across all faculties, including faculty-specific and non-faculty-specific programs. All fees are listed in Australian dollars (AUD). Find out more. |
Cost of Living in the City | The estimated monthly costs for a single person are CAD $1,613, excluding rent. Sydney is 9.3% more expensive than Toronto. |
Admissions Process | Applying to study at UNSW Medicine requires several steps. To ensure you meet all deadlines, please review the important dates tab. Please read the following instructions before beginning your application. |
Scholarship opportunities | UNSW scholarships aren’t just based on grades – the university values leadership skills, extracurricular interests, and passion to study. Find scholarships that match your criteria here. |
Internship opportunities | UNSW offers students the opportunity to undertake short and long-term rural placements, to expand experience and build skills. Find out more. |
5. University of Queensland
Category | Details |
|---|---|
QS University Global Ranking: | 42 |
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025: | 70 |
Location | Brisbane |
Available Programs | |
Key Strengths | Wide reach across Queensland and North America. Extensive partnerships and programs that provide students with experiences and training across different clinical settings. Global preparation. The program is undergoing changes for graduates who want to establish clinical practices in Australia, the US and abroad. |
International Tuition Fees | Find out more about student visa fees, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), accommodation, textbooks, transport, and more. Check out this link. |
Cost of Living in the City | The estimated monthly costs for a single person are CAD $1,299, excluding rent. Brisbane is 5.7% less expensive than Toronto. |
Admissions Process | The UQ academic calendar includes important dates and deadlines for enrolment, fee payments, course changes, dropping courses, and more. Check out this link. |
Scholarship opportunities | Each year, the university offers more than $16 million across 1,700 scholarships and prizes to support students from all backgrounds. Find out more. |
Internship opportunities | Find out more about careers, internships, and overseas residency. |
6. University of Western Australia
Category | Details |
|---|---|
QS University Global Ranking: | 77 |
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025: | 111 |
Location | Perth |
Available Programs | |
Key Strengths | Distinction in accreditation. Their MD program comes with an Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) level 9 accreditation which exceeds typical programs and is respected in select countries. Clinical experience. MD students get immediate exposure to clinical settings in their first year. |
International Tuition Fees | The amount you will need to pay as an international student for tuition fees depends on the course of study and your enrolment. Check out the Fee Calculator for annual course charges. |
Cost of Living in the City | The estimated monthly costs for a single person are CAD $1,413, excluding rent. Perth is 2.5% less expensive than Toronto. |
Admissions Process | Applicants wishing to commence an undergraduate degree at UWA must satisfy the University’s academic and English language competence (ELC) requirements to be eligible for a place within the course. Find out more about the admissions process. |
Scholarship opportunities | Here you'll find all the information you need on scholarships and fees relating to tuition, administration and amenities while studying at UWA. |
Internship opportunities | Take advantage of all the opportunities UWA offers to get the most out of your degree and build your employability skills. Find out more. |
7. University of Adelaide
Category | Details |
|---|---|
QS University Global Ranking: | 82 |
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025: | 124 |
Location | Adelaide |
Available Programs | |
Key Strengths | Comprehensive program. Covers practical case-based learning, clinical experience in real world and simulated settings, and interprofessional learning. Contributions to advancement in research. Wide-ranging involvement in areas of cancer biology and clinical oncology; fertility and conception; nutrition and metabolic health; respiratory and vascular health; ageing, frailty, and mobility. |
International Tuition Fees | To help guide you, the university has detailed what fees you may need to pay for studies in Australia as well as costs to think about before you arrive. Find out more. |
Cost of Living in the City | The estimated monthly costs for a single person are CAD $1,428, excluding rent. Adelaide is 2.4% less expensive than Toronto. |
Admissions Process | The university website offers student application information and admissions guide for specific degrees. Find out more. |
Scholarship opportunities | The university offers scholarships to undergraduate and postgraduate students. These scholarships, as well as many others funded by industry and non-profit organisations, are available to potential and currently enrolled students. Find out more. |
Internship opportunities | Find out more about internships for students of medicine. |
8. Australian National University (ANU)
Category | Details |
|---|---|
QS University Global Ranking: | 32 |
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025: | 161 |
Location | Canberra |
Available Programs | |
Key Strengths | Ranked 1st for Graduate Employability. #1 in Australia for graduate employability according to Times Higher Education. Clinical Skills and Simulation Learning. Opportunity to learn in real-world emergency situations and how to deal with crisis. |
International Tuition Fees | Comprehensive information about fees and funding is detailed in these pages. |
Cost of Living in the City | The estimated monthly costs for a single person are CAD $1,542, excluding rent. Canberra is 2.2% more expensive than Toronto. |
Admissions Process | The university offers a range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and research degrees at its School of Medicine and Psychology. These innovative programs blend health, medicine, and psychology, equipping graduates with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills for career success. Find out more about admissions and requirements here. |
Scholarship opportunities | Eligibility for ANU Student Financial Awards varies. Some are based purely on prior academic achievement, others on social equity and access principles, and some are a combination of both. Find out about Student Financial Awards and scholarships specific to the School of Medicine and Psychology. |
Internship opportunities | The ANU experience is about learning inside and outside the classroom, with opportunities to choose an international learning experience, develop leadership capabilities, contribute to the community, and prepare for your future career. Find out more about placements. |
9. University of Newcastle, Australia*
Category | Details |
|---|---|
QS University Global Ranking: | 227 |
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025: | 172 |
Location | Callaghan |
Available Programs | |
Key Strengths | High employability. Strong industry partnerships that give graduates a competitive advantage. Employability is at 98% within four months of graduating. Joint Medical Program. Offers a bachelor and graduate joint degree program in partnership with University of New England, which can be completed in 5 years. |
International Tuition Fees | Find out more about indicative fees for programs at the School of Medicine and Public Health. |
Cost of Living in the City | Find out more about the accommodation and the cost of living in Callaghan while studying at the University of Newcastle. |
Admissions Process | There are minimum academic entry requirements to the University of Newcastle by level of study. These vary by country and program. Find out more. |
Scholarship opportunities | Each year, more than $4 million in scholarships are awarded, designed to recognise achievement and support enthusiastic and dedicated students. Find out more. |
Internship opportunities | Clinical placement is an exciting part of studying at the University of Newcastle. Placement lets students experience what it's like to work as a health care professional in real-life situations. Find out more. |
10. La Trobe University
Category | Details |
|---|---|
QS University Global Ranking: | 233 |
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025: | 201-250 |
Location | Melbourne |
Available Programs | |
Key Strengths | Australia’s largest rural health school. Focuses on equitable healthcare access for rural communities with a focus on cultural safety. Top-ranked research. Noted for medical and health sciences research rated ‘well above world standard’. |
International Tuition Fees | Your fee category determines what type of tuition fee you will pay and how you can pay. Find out more about fees for international students. |
Cost of Living in the City | The estimated monthly costs for a single person are CAD $1,530, excluding rent. Melbourne is 3.7% more expensive than Toronto. |
Admissions Process | There are minimum entry and language requirements for undergraduate, postgraduate, and graduate research study at La Trobe University. However, some courses need a higher level of English language proficiency and academic requirements. Find out more. |
Scholarship opportunities | International students can use this search tool to find scholarships and bursaries that have specific eligibility requirements and application processes. |
Internship opportunities | La Trobe University offers health and professional placement opportunities for students with a mandatory placement component in their course, with local and international industry partners. Find out more. |
Step-by-Step: Applying to Medical School in Australia from Canada
Ready to apply to your dream medical program? Here are the key steps to submitting your application as an international student.
1. Pick the Right Program (Undergrad vs Grad Entry)
You may consider criteria like tuition costs, entry requirements, and reputation. If your current grades aren’t competitive enough, you may decide to delay your application.
2. Check Application Deadlines and Intakes
Prepare in advance and consult your top schools’ program page to get the most accurate information for this year. Australian medical school intakes usually occur in late January or early February.
3. Use an Authorized Representative like IDP Canada
Before you apply, consider reaching out to verified education counsellors like IDP Education that can provide services at no cost like:
Application support like interview preparation
Student visa assistance
Language test support and resources
Basic information and guidance
4. Prepare for any entry tests
Complete any required tests such as the MCAT, which is accepted in Australia for international students.
5. Submit Academic Transcripts, Test Scores, and Other Supporting Documents
Submit your grades, test scores, personal statement, letters of recommendation, and other required documents via the method indicated on your program page, which can vary from school and their offered pathways (i.e. standard vs guaranteed entry vs rural).
6. Prepare for Any Interviews
Prepare in advance and remember to highlight why you are passionate about studying medicine in Australia as a Canadian and the impact you want to have in the field.
7. Accept Offer and Apply for a Student Visa
It’s time to prepare for your studies abroad including your travel, housing, and your visa. Take time to thoroughly review the student visa requirements for Australia.
The Competitive Advantage of IDP Canada
Given its many advantages and opportunities, it’s no surprise that medical school in Australia is highly competitive. With the support of education counsellors at IDP Education Canada, you can help differentiate your application. There’s a reason our expertise has been chosen by thousands of students like you! Here’s what we offer:
Co-ownership with Australian universities means your success is always prioritized.
Unmatched expertise in IELTS as a co-owner of the test.
Global presence with over 210 offices in 35+ countries.
Holistic support through your entire student journey from application to post-arrival.
Quality counsellors that receive ongoing training and have often been international students themselves.
Ready to apply for your top medical school? IDP Education’s services are completely free, so you have everything to gain. Book a call now.
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