Health and Medicine in Australia

Course overview 

Health and Medicine is a thriving field in Australia with some of the best institutions in the world offering quality education across the spectrum of disciplines. The programs offered in Australia help prepare students for health and medical careers from both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The fields include medicine, sport science, pharmacy, nutrition, radiography and physiotherapy. Postgraduate opportunities in Australia allow students to pursue specialisations that include public health, laboratory medicine, dietetics and sport management.

Many international students choose to pursue their medical and health education in Australia due to the quality of training, research and coursework in the institutions. All universities in Australia that offer undergraduate (MBBS) and post-graduate courses in medicine (MD) are accredited by the Australian Medical Council, ensuring the qualification is recognised. Many universities also include internships and clinical placements as part of the curriculum, allowing students a holistic understanding and hands-on experience.

Studying in Australia is an excellent choice to begin and develop your health and medical career with employment opportunities available in Australia where graduates can stay and work in.

Why study health and medicine in Australia?

• Universities in Australia offering health and medical courses have a rigorous curriculum to ensure graduates are employment-ready. Every medical college in Australia that offers graduate and post-graduate courses are accredited by the Australian Medical Council.
• Australian universities offer a wide range of courses that include medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, clinical psychology, nutrition and physiotherapy in both the undergraduate and postgraduate level.
• Students studying health and medicine have the opportunity to gain industry insight during their program through internships, hospital and clinical attachments.
• Excellent employment opportunities await students back home and within Australia itself.

Key facts about studying health and medicine in Australia

• Australia is home to 7 of the top 100 universities in the world (QS Top Universities 2021) such as The University of Melbourne and Monash University, all of which offer programs in medicine.
• You can stay and work in Australia between 2 and 4 years after you graduate with a degree from an Australian university with the Post-Study Work Stream Temporary Graduate visa.
• Australia is a safe and peaceful country, ranking 16 out of 163 countries in the 2021 Global Peace Index

Choosing your health and medicine university

Here are some key things to look out for in choosing your health and medicine university in Australia:

• Academic Excellence – Research on reviews and teaching professors can give a good insight into the course curriculum in addition to course descriptions. Understand if any internships, hospital or clinical attachments are available to ensure a more holistic and practical education.
• Location – Whether it’s the urban cosmopolitanism of Sydney and Melbourne or the more laid-back vibe of Brisbane you prefer, look for a university situated in a region that offers you the best mix of lifestyle and standard of living.
• Cost – Tuition fees will vary greatly depending on the type of course chosen, the kind of financial assistance and scholarships available to you may differ substantially as well. Look for a university that offers scholarships and determine if you are eligible, some scholarships are only awarded to students in certain countries, regions and situations.
• International Student Support – Find a university that offers well-planned support for international students, as they can advise on essentials such as accommodation, student welfare, and post-graduate employment opportunities.

Admission requirements for Australian universities

Entry into an Australian university typically requires a Bachelor's degree from a recognised university or an equivalent diploma or certificate depending on the course applied for.

For undergraduates seeking to enter medical school in Australia, it is a necessary requirement to pass the Undergraduate Medicine and Health Sciences Admission Test (UMAT) in order to qualify.

Non-native speakers will also require an overall IELTS (Academic) band score of 7.0, with no individual sub-score less than 7.0 as evidence of English language proficiency.

Those looking for postgraduate programs may need to meet additional entry requirements, such as prior knowledge in certain subjects, work experience, and the successful completion of an audition, portfolio, interview or test. The Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) is the test required as part of the postgraduate application for a Doctorate in Medicine (MD).