Choosing Between Universities and Offers

[kk11]

Home state: international (hence why so many offers... full-fee paying ( )
Offer 1: Curtin (5 yr MBBS)
Offer 2: UTas (5 yr BMedStMD)
Offer 3: Macquarie university assured pathway for intl students (2 yr undergrad + 4 yr MD)
Offer 4: UNSW (6 yr)
+ received an interview offer for Monash and USyd 7-year program. Interviews in Nov & Dec

Any scholarships offered: None
Any accommodation secured: None
Internship location preference: Don't mind
Other important information: many high school friends applying to UNSW, but don't know if I should consider that - is it hard to make good friends in med school? Also tuition cost not considered in choosing between offers.

Hello everyone,

Thank you so much for reading this. I just received a few offers for medicine and really don't know which one to choose. For context I'm an international student and will have to pay >500k in tuition so it's not really a big deal to have received this many.

My goal is to perhaps practice in the US - since I've heard of the training bottleneck situation in Australia. I don't really have a preference for which city to live & practice in - but I think Sydney is just too expensive for me; don't think I'll ever be able to afford a house there.

Any input would be greatly appreciated!!!


-----

EDIT by myself (9 Feb 2026):
Offer 5: Monash
I ended up choosing Monash Med as I was fortunate enough to get an offer. I chose Monash over all other offers because of the 5-yr course length and family's future settlement plans in Victoria. I'm looking forward to orientation day!

 

[MjM91]

You won't be able to do med school in Australia and then just switch to practicing in the US. We have to jump through a bunch of hoops and exams to go work there. If you don't have a preference for Sydney in particular, I'd choose Curtin off that list. In Australia it makes no difference which uni you graduate from, it won't impact your future career in any meaningful way in terms of uni reputation. However, Consider that Curtin/uTas are only 5 years, so you'll be able to start working 1 year sooner than all the other options. That will give you a leg up on people that studied for 6 years, and cost you less to study. Also, Western Australia has a significantly lower cost of living than Sydney/Melbourne, and the pay for junior doctors is higher than NSW. While the choice of city is obviously a personal thing, I think a large number of Australians would probably choose Perth over Tasmania for lifestyle (Don't all attack me at once, haha).

 

[dotwingz]

Curtin or UTAS for all the reasons MjM said above... however one thing to note is that as an international student you're on the lower rung in terms of internship preference, and from my understanding WA has alot more internship locations/spots (and not a commensurate rise in applicants) compared to Tas which is a bit smaller.

I would do some googling in terms of how many intern jobs there are in WA and TAS, and how many graduating students from WA and TAS medical schools there are... not all students intern in the state they did their med school, but its not a terrible metric.

In terms of practicing in the USA. If youre not a USA citizen it's fairly difficult to get into anything reasonably competitive. I wouldn't be basing med school decision around that, I would imagine its alot harder to get into a US residency as a non-citizen IMG, then it would be to slog out the australian system.

Med school is quite easy to make friends in especially compared to normal uni... because you all do the same courses together and alot of them. As compared to normal undergrad where you might make a friend that you only ever end up sharing one course with, which is just a bit harder to get to know them.

ETA: Just to say... I think the likelihood of you not finding an internship anywhere in Australia is low... did a placement in a QLD hospital inside the "Greater Brisbane zone" that had PGY1 foreign interns... and Queensland gets alot more rural than Greater Brisbane (lots in Bundy and Rockhampton from my understanding)

 

[DrDrLMG!]

Curtin or UTAS for all the reasons MjM said above... however one thing to note is that as an international student you're on the lower rung in terms of internship preference, and from my understanding WA has alot more internship locations/spots (and not a commensurate rise in applicants) compared to Tas which is a bit smaller.

I would do some googling in terms of how many intern jobs there are in WA and TAS, and how many graduating students from WA and TAS medical schools there are... not all students intern in the state they did their med school, but its not a terrible metric.

In terms of practicing in the USA. If youre not a USA citizen it's fairly difficult to get into anything reasonably competitive. I wouldn't be basing med school decision around that, I would imagine its alot harder to get into a US residency as a non-citizen IMG, then it would be to slog out the australian system.

Med school is quite easy to make friends in especially compared to normal uni... because you all do the same courses together and alot of them. As compared to normal undergrad where you might make a friend that you only ever end up sharing one course with, which is just a bit harder to get to know them.

ETA: Just to say... I think the likelihood of you not finding an internship anywhere in Australia is low... did a placement in a QLD hospital inside the "Greater Brisbane zone" that had PGY1 foreign interns... and Queensland gets alot more rural than Greater Brisbane (lots in Bundy and Rockhampton from my understanding)

All International students that want one tend to get an internship offer in Tas BUT… you tend to be looking at Burnie (rural) or maybe Launceston. Rarely Hobart (capital city).

 

[kk11]

All International students that want one tend to get an internship offer in Tas BUT… you tend to be looking at Burnie (rural) or maybe Launceston. Rarely Hobart (capital city).

I’ll get PR roughly 2 months into my first year. I understand that Victoria would treat me as a domestic in my case, but do you happen to know if other states like Tas does the same?

 

[dotwingz]

https://www.health.tas.gov.au/careers/career-options/medical-careers/2026-medical-intern-applications

Seems as TAS does... in which case either UTAS or Curtin are good choices.

 

[kk11]

https://www.health.tas.gov.au/careers/career-options/medical-careers/2026-medical-intern-applications

Seems as TAS does... in which case either UTAS or Curtin are good choices.

Thank you so so much. I really appreciate the info!!!

 

[A1]

I understand that Victoria would treat me as a domestic in my case, but do you happen to know if other states like Tas does the same?

The internship-priority system in every state makes no distinction between CSP graduate or domestic FFP or int'l FFP. It classifies you based only on residency status at intern recruitment time. Being citizen/PR graduated from an in-state med school you get Priority 1.

I’ll get PR roughly 2 months into my first year.

Have you thought about asking for deferrals on these offers, become PR then apply for domestic CSP?

Once you've started as int'l FFP I don't think they will allow you to switch to or re-apply for CSP.

EtA: Oops ... I need to add that if you defer then become PR they might not allow you start as int'l FFP. So it's a big risk.

 

[kk11]

The internship-priority system in every state makes no distinction between CSP graduate or domestic FFP or int'l FFP. It classifies you based only on residency status at intern recruitment time. Being citizen/PR graduated from an in-state med school you get Priority 1.


Have you thought about asking for deferrals on these offers, become PR then apply for domestic CSP?

Once you've started as int'l FFP I don't think they will allow you to switch to or re-apply for CSP.

That's wonderful news. I've been living in Sydney for 7 years now - because of my dad's annoying investment visa thing I'll become PR in my first year at uni.

Yes I understand that I won't be able to switch to CSP. I'm okay with it because I'm in a fortunate position where my parents are happy to fund my uni fees. Honestly I don't think I'll be able to get into these interstate unis (as a domestic HSC student), as it's so competitive for domestic applicants.

 

[dotwingz]

Imagine... defer one year, do 5 year med degree, take the CSP (without HECS) and use the parents money saved to buy a house (or a big boat with lots of champagne). Opportunity cost for one year income lost as an intern is 90,000 vs +$400,000 for international student fee's. That would be a hustle, end up with 300k in the pocket and a gap year.

It's probably unlikely to work as they probably have accepted you as an International but not Domestic student as you rightly identified, but you have the benefit of being accepted to multiple places so you can ask all of them.

Might be worth an email asking about the logistics (Hi im an international applicant that has been offered a place, if I defer and I'm a PR next year do I still keep my place and will I be a domestic student).

 

[kk11]

defer one year

Unfortunately my parents won't be happy with that at all haha.

email asking about the logistics (Hi im an international applicant that has been offered a place, if I defer and I'm a PR next year do I still keep my place and will I be a domestic student).

I had to disclose my current application for PR, so with every offer letter they literally said, near verbatim, "should you wish to defer and enrol in 2027 intake, your offer will be withdrawn"). I can sense that these universities are particularly sensitive on this issue of switching from intl to domestic - they keep emphasising that if I want my place, then stop thinking about CSP lol

 

[dotwingz]

Ah okay... no dice.

Nice to dream though.

 

[A1]

I can sense that these universities are particularly sensitive on this issue of switching from intl to domestic

They are more than sensitive about it so make sure you follow the proper procedure.

I got PMs from a member who became PR in final year med. When he informed the school of this status change he got a big surprise (even in final year!).
This was his PM
"I am 3 months away from graduation in my university and I gained permanent residency through the partner visa program.
I didn't think it would be a big deal- in my head I couldn't perceive being penalized for becoming Australian.
I notified the school 3 weeks ago regarding the visa changes. No one took ownership of the issue and I was passed around for 3 weeks until I eventually landed on the admission coordinator's radar. They notified me that I will need to have a very good reason for gaining PR as it is not recommended for international students. They said they will only look into the specifics with the dean's approval. They told me I may not be able to stay in this Med program."

I didn't hear any further afterwards so hope it was resolved okay. But we can do without being scared like that.

 

[kk11]

They are more than sensitive about it so make sure you follow the proper procedure.

I got PMs from a member who became PR in final year med. When he informed the school of this status change he got a big surprise (even in final year!).
This was his PM
"I am 3 months away from graduation in my university and I gained permanent residency through the partner visa program.
I didn't think it would be a big deal- in my head I couldn't perceive being penalized for becoming Australian.
I notified the school 3 weeks ago regarding the visa changes. No one took ownership of the issue and I was passed around for 3 weeks until I eventually landed on the admission coordinator's radar. They notified me that I will need to have a very good reason for gaining PR as it is not recommended for international students. They said they will only look into the specifics with the dean's approval. They told me I may not be able to stay in this Med program."

I didn't hear any further afterwards so hope it was resolved okay. But we can do without being scared like that.

Yep I actually came across this exact comment of yours - so I confirmed with these universities that I'll be able to continue in the med program. It was so funny because the admissions coordinator put the following in bold "as long as you continue to pay the full international fees. A CSP will not be made available"

But guys reading from the future - be sure to check with the school before accepting your offer - technically they don't have to switch you.

It is also my limited and informal understanding of the Australian migration act that one can apply for a 500 student visa again, graduate, and then reapply for a resident return 155 visa, according to my memory of Immigration's internal manual.

 

[A1]

It is also my limited and informal understanding of the Australian migration act that one can apply for a 500 student visa again, graduate, and then reapply for a resident return 155 visa, according to my memory of Immigration's internal manual.

I don't quite understand this bit^, it's more to do with Immigration matters. The med school's concern is about the internships it imposes on the State government.

From my understanding + from the abovementioned PMs
- By the COAG agreement + the internship-priority way the state gov is required to provide internships to all domestic graduates (be them CSP or FFP).
- If the school's quota is full of CSP domestic, by switching say 5 int'l to domestic (on residency status) the school would indirectly compel the gov to provide 5 more internships. Of course the gov doesn't like being wagged like that.
- The school told the student above the policy is they'd only switch him from int'l to domestic if the domestic cohort is below quota, so not to impose an over-quota internship on the gov.
- If no such vacancy he'd have to leave as they have no room to graduate him as a domestic, and neither as int'l since he's now a PR.

Hope this gives some more info to be aware of in future.

 

[Apue]

Checked them again just now I'm astonished. Graduates in 2023 & 2024 were 3200 domestic + 500 international (roughly same 3700 total). Intern positions for these two years were 4050-4150. Every int'l graduate got an internship if they wanted it plus a surplus of 400 positions.

The federal govt injects more funding to increase the medical school places by another 100 from year 2026.
I am curious the places for the specialty schools are proportionally increased, too.
If not, the competition to entering popular speciality colleges will be more competitive. :0

 

[A1]

The federal govt injects more funding to increase the medical school places by another 100 from year 2026.
I am curious the places for the specialty schools are proportionally increased, too.

Yes increased, largely in GP training
> Strengthening our general practice workforce

"In the most recent Federal Budget, the government has committed to the following measures:

• $265 million to expand GP training to deliver 200 new GP training places each year from 2026, increasing to 400 from 2028.
• $248 million for salary incentives for junior doctors to specialise in GP."

 

[DrDrLMG!]

Yes increased, largely in GP training
> Strengthening our general practice workforce

"In the most recent Federal Budget, the government has committed to the following measures:

• $265 million to expand GP training to deliver 200 new GP training places each year from 2026, increasing to 400 from 2028.
• $248 million for salary incentives for junior doctors to specialise in GP."

Keeping in mind this is easier said than done…

Even prior to this increase, the amount of applicants who’ve been accepted into GP training in Tas for Jan 2026 far exceeds the number of GP supervisors available to train them. A friend in this cohort still doesn’t know if she’ll be able to actually start training when intended/recruited for or if she’ll be shunted to a regional hospital ED as a makeshift alternative that she’s absolutely not interested in.

 

[Rectangle321!]

Need some help deciding between courses. Got offered an unbounded place in UNSW undergraduate medical program as well as a place in the Extended Rural Cohort in Monash. On one hand, the lifestyle offered to live in Sydney is very appealing to me as it is more urban and I will have an opportunity to live independently. Additionally the research year seems interesting for applying to specialties. However I am local to Victoria so there would be accomodation costs. On the other hand Monash's degree is a year shorter. I can live at home for the first couple of years and I think I will get more hands on experience in the rural facility. Both programs seem great and I am genuinely torn because I grew up very sheltered so leaving home seems exiting but I also recognise the advantage of picking Monash's program.

 

[A1]

Need some help deciding between courses. Got offered an unbounded place in UNSW undergraduate medical program as well as a place in the Extended Rural Cohort in Monash. On one hand, the lifestyle offered to live in Sydney is very appealing to me as it is more urban and I will have an opportunity to live independently. Additionally the research year seems interesting for applying to specialties. However I am local to Victoria so there would be accomodation costs. On the other hand Monash's degree is a year shorter. I can live at home for the first couple of years and I think I will get more hands on experience in the rural facility. Both programs seem great and I am genuinely torn because I grew up very sheltered so leaving home seems exiting but I also recognise the advantage of picking Monash's program.

In which state will you prefer to do your internship & RMO years?

I might not win friends here saying this. NSW Health hasn't compared well against other states - lower pay, work conditions less appealing, tougher competition for specialty-training entry etc.

The option of studying in NSW then move back to Vic for internship isn't dependable either. Vic places interstate graduates (including those returning to home state) lower priority than Vic int'l graduates, so if there are not enough intern spots for them unlikely there's any left for interstate grads.