Choosing Between Universities and Offers

[Rectangle321!]

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.

I do prefer to do internship in either Victoria or Queensland. I have read about the issues in NSW, so I suppose going to Monash would be the better option?

 

[Matt1988]

My child is currently in Year 12 and is interested in studying undergraduate medicine in Australia. I’m looking for reliable sources that provide comprehensive information on:

• The number of Australian medical schools
• Available medical school places/seats
• Types of medical degrees offered (e.g. doctor/ MD)
• Length of study
• Fees for domestic students

Any guidance or recommended resources would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

[Crow]

I do prefer to do internship in either Victoria or Queensland. I have read about the issues in NSW, so I suppose going to Monash would be the better option?

Monash seems like a clear winner in essentially every category to me.

 

[A1]

My child is currently in Year 12 and is interested in studying undergraduate medicine in Australia. I’m looking for reliable sources that provide comprehensive information on:

• The number of Australian medical schools
• Available medical school places/seats
• Types of medical degrees offered (e.g. doctor/ MD)
• Length of study
• Fees for domestic students

Any guidance or recommended resources would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Number of med schools
> [Undergrad] - (2023 Updated) Med schools Selection Criteria Y12s & Non-standards

Places (approx & including their rural allocations)
USyd (99.95) & Flinders (99.95) 30 each , UMelb 99.9+ and 99.0+ no limit
JCU 150 , UQ/USQ/CQU 140 , Griffith Nathan/GC/USC 80
UoN/UNE JMP 170 , WSU/CSU 140 , UNSW 200 , Monash 240
UTas 100(?) , Adelaide 140 , UWA 100 , Curtin 110 , Notre Dame & Bond not sure

Degree Types & Lengths
- Only two MBBS schools 5-year Curtin , 6-year JCU
- The rest are B.Medxx+MD : 5-year JMP, WSU/CSU, Monash, UTas , 6-year Griffith, UNSW, Adelaide, Flinders, UWA , 7-year UQ/USQ/CQU, USC, USyd, UMelb
(Not that the degree types matter, they all go into internships on equal basis)

Fees: Except Bond and UMelb full-fee MD for the 99.0+ pathway, the rest are ~$12k HECS a year.

 

[JFB]

Additionally the research year seems interesting for applying to specialties.

Also all MD courses (Usually masters extended - AQF9) require a masters research component, which includes Monash. The UNSW research component is a little bigger and more dedicated, but then again you are delaying graduation to undertake pre-graduation research when post-grad research is always possible.

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

I understand WA has the unfair advantage of WA, but comparing NSW to WA is like comparing different countries. You can do the 4/5 agreements as an intern or resident in WA and just about earn what your NSW colleagues are getting once you factor in the department will rubber stamp your overtime request and the cost of living.

Also doesn't intern match put vic yr 12 grads second behind local med grads?

 

[A1]

Also doesn't intern match put vic yr 12 grads second behind local med grads?

Ah okay, that's a recent change this year.

This was 2025 Vic intake


2026 intake


Vic year12 is now same priority as Vic int'l grads, not lower but not higher either.

 

[Rectangle321!]

UNSW unbounded vs Monash ERC, I also have a question, is it easier to gain entry into a specialty training program after graduating from UNSW. I want to eventually get into a competitive/niche specialty, and my family is willing to support the living costs of either decision so I want to choose based on the opportunities available and the quality of the course. Someone was telling me that it would be harder for me to gain entry into a specialty training program if I took the Monash ERC option because I would be going to more rural centres, so I would not be able to get recommendations or referrals from prominent doctors or network with panelists. Is this true? Additionally someone told me that Monash interns who want to go to the major health centres are more limited compared to UNSW, as UNSW is surrounded by a lot of major health centres whereas Monash's one is only the Alfred? I'd just like to get my facts straight and pick the path that would allow me to get into a competitive specialty.

 

[A1]

Someone was telling me that it would be harder for me to gain entry into a specialty training program if I took the Monash ERC option because I would be going to more rural centres, so I would not be able to get recommendations or referrals from prominent doctors or network with panelists. Is this true?

I don't think this^ is true. On page 8 this PDF
> https://www.pmcv.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Intern-Match-Information-2025-1.pdf

"For Victorian Intern Allocation VIA Group 1–3 candidates are required to preference all participating health services in their exact order of preference. Health services do not review and rank candidates. Candidates are allocated to a health service via an optimised ballot algorithm."

That should mean attending Monash ERC has no effect on your allocated intern location.

Additionally someone told me that Monash interns who want to go to the major health centres are more limited compared to UNSW, as UNSW is surrounded by a lot of major health centres whereas Monash's one is only the Alfred?

Maybe Wolverine and Lear can help with this question?

 

[potatopotarto]

Home state: VIC
Offer 1: UTAS Medicine Hobart (unbonded, 5 years)
Offer 2: UQ Doctor of Medicine Provisional Entry (bonded, 7 years)
Offer 3: Unimelb Guaranteed Entry (Chancellor's Scholarship, 7 years)

Any scholarships offered:
Utas - None
UQ - Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship ($12,000 * 5 years)
Unimelb - Chancellor's Scholarship (fee remission + $5000 * 3 years)

Any accommodation secured: No
Internship location preference: Vic
Other important information: Unfortunately didn't get a Monash offer. I'm not sure if the monetary value of UQ and Unimelb scholarships make their 7 year program more worth it than the 5 year UTas program, due to opportunity cost of finishing my degree 2 years late - also how difficult is the Unimelb interview in 3rd year? I'd also like some input on the social life of these unis. How tight-knit is the cohort and would it be worth moving interstate?
Bonded is also not an issue for me

 

[DrDrLMG!]

Home state: VIC
Offer 1: UTAS Medicine Hobart (unbonded, 5 years)
Offer 2: UQ Doctor of Medicine Provisional Entry (bonded, 7 years)
Offer 3: Unimelb Guaranteed Entry (Chancellor's Scholarship, 7 years)

Any scholarships offered:
Utas - None
UQ - Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship ($12,000 * 5 years)
Unimelb - Chancellor's Scholarship (fee remission + $5000 * 3 years)

Any accommodation secured: No
Internship location preference: Vic
Other important information: Unfortunately didn't get a Monash offer. I'm not sure if the monetary value of UQ and Unimelb scholarships make their 7 year program more worth it than the 5 year UTas program, due to opportunity cost of finishing my degree 2 years late - also how difficult is the Unimelb interview in 3rd year? I'd also like some input on the social life of these unis. How tight-knit is the cohort and would it be worth moving interstate?
Bonded is also not an issue for me

If the up-front money is not an issue, the eventual $$ you’ll earn as an intern and RMO two years earlier will be substantial.

If you’re currently in Vic and can live at home the saved cost of living is probably something to factor in. If your preference would be to live on campus regardless, then the two years of $$ difference suddenly gets even bigger.

I’m not too sure about the UMelb interview. From memory, most people pass it, but most isn’t all. You also need to maintain a GPA (for UMelb and UQ). This is definitely doable for most but ultimately an unknown to factor in.

UTAS cohort is small and everyone gets to know everyone. Lots of social stuff happens. I can answer this from experience.

I’ve not experienced the other two. Much (much!) bigger cohorts. I’m sure there’s still heaps of social stuff though.

 

[JFB]

Home state: VIC
Offer 1: UTAS Medicine Hobart (unbonded, 5 years)
Offer 2: UQ Doctor of Medicine Provisional Entry (bonded, 7 years)
Offer 3: Unimelb Guaranteed Entry (Chancellor's Scholarship, 7 years)

Any scholarships offered:
Utas - None
UQ - Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship ($12,000 * 5 years)
Unimelb - Chancellor's Scholarship (fee remission + $5000 * 3 years)

Any accommodation secured: No
Internship location preference: Vic
Other important information: Unfortunately didn't get a Monash offer. I'm not sure if the monetary value of UQ and Unimelb scholarships make their 7 year program more worth it than the 5 year UTas program, due to opportunity cost of finishing my degree 2 years late - also how difficult is the Unimelb interview in 3rd year? I'd also like some input on the social life of these unis. How tight-knit is the cohort and would it be worth moving interstate?
Bonded is also not an issue for me

UTAS is an offer to study medicine and graduate in 5 years, UQ is an offer to get a 5.0 GPA, and UniMelb is an offer to an interview. Minimise your risk and accept the offer to be a doctor, you'll adapt and become a part of which ever student body you join.

 

[Crow]

UNSW unbounded vs Monash ERC, I also have a question, is it easier to gain entry into a specialty training program after graduating from UNSW. I want to eventually get into a competitive/niche specialty, and my family is willing to support the living costs of either decision so I want to choose based on the opportunities available and the quality of the course. Someone was telling me that it would be harder for me to gain entry into a specialty training program if I took the Monash ERC option because I would be going to more rural centres, so I would not be able to get recommendations or referrals from prominent doctors or network with panelists. Is this true? Additionally someone told me that Monash interns who want to go to the major health centres are more limited compared to UNSW, as UNSW is surrounded by a lot of major health centres whereas Monash's one is only the Alfred? I'd just like to get my facts straight and pick the path that would allow me to get into a competitive specialty.

Where you are as a med student will not have a bearing on your ability to get into any specific specialty. You should be choosing based on where you want to live and where you want to do internship. Nobody can make guarantees about how interns are selected in specific states in 5-6 years’ time as things do change, but currently where you are as a student will not affect your chance of selection at various hospitals as an intern if you are category 1 in those states.

As an aside, be aware of the highly likely possibility that the specialty you currently see yourself doing will change by the time you graduate, and possibly (probably?) after you graduate, statistically speaking.

 

[dino07]

Hi All - incredibly useful info . A bit of advice appreciated .
Offers -
1.UTAS (bonded) - 5 yrs
2. UNSW ( Port Mac) - unbonded - 6 yrs
3. UQ - unbonded - Prov Entry - 7 yrs
4. LaTrobe - unbonded - Assured Entry -7 yrs
5. Notre Dame - unbonded - Assured Entry - 7 yrs
6. UniMelb - Biomed - rejected .

Home State - VIC .
No issues with moving.

I am leaning towards the UTAS offer - what would others advise ?

 

[DrDrLMG!]

Hi All - incredibly useful info . A bit of advice appreciated .
Offers -
1.UTAS (bonded) - 5 yrs
2. UNSW ( Port Mac) - unbonded - 6 yrs
3. UQ - unbonded - Prov Entry - 7 yrs
4. LaTrobe - unbonded - Assured Entry -7 yrs
5. Notre Dame - unbonded - Assured Entry - 7 yrs
6. UniMelb - Biomed - rejected .

Home State - VIC .
No issues with moving.

I am leaning towards the UTAS offer - what would others advise ?

Any accommodation sorted or scholarship offers?

This is a tough one! Congrats on your offers!

The UTAS program has changed a little since I did it (from MBBS to MD), but I honestly thought it was pretty good. We were largely well supported (and WAY WAY more supported than I’d been during any of my previous degrees/uni study experiences). It’s a smallish cohort that you don’t feel lost in the crowd, but also not so small that it’s uncomfortable.

The clinical school, med school, and main hospital are all within walking distance in the Hobart CBD. The med school building is reasonably new and pretty nice.

The pro is also that it’s a year shorter (unless you do honours). So you’d be out and earning money/back in Vic as an intern 12 months earlier. It’s also super easy to fly from Hobart to Melbourne for family visits etc.

The con is the BMP. Which isn’t a huge problem, particularly if you’re rurally inclined anyway.

 

[dino07]

Thanks! All the points that I had considered.

How difficult is it to get specialty rotations either in Tas or VIC(with UTAS degree). I know that it is the postgrad years (internship/residency) with research/networking/ commitment to specialty etc that determines this - but would be keen to know others have found this.

 

[DrDrLMG!]

Thanks! All the points that I had considered.

How difficult is it to get specialty rotations either in Tas or VIC(with UTAS degree). I know that it is the postgrad years (internship/residency) with research/networking/ commitment to specialty etc that determines this - but would be keen to know others have found this.

Do you mean as a med student? Not difficult at all because it’s part of the curriculum.

I did terms in med specialties (neurology, stroke unit, endo, renal, and infectious diseases) and surg specialties (plastics, ENT, urology, ophthalmology, OMFS, and ortho) in fourth year.

 

[butterfly123]

Hey guys,
In desperate need of advise here. I received med offers from UNSW and WSU. I’m leaning more towards WSU but what would you all advise?

Btw I’m an international student so paying full fees and haven’t received scholarships from unsw yet.

 

[greenturtle]

Hey guys,
In desperate need of advise here. I received med offers from UNSW and WSU. I’m leaning more towards WSU but what would you all advise?

Btw I’m an international student so paying full fees and haven’t received scholarships from unsw yet.

WSU is 5 years compared to 6 years at UNSW. If you decide to study at WSU the campus is in Campbelltown which is pretty far from the city. Also, all the international accomodation has been taken up and there are no more spots on campus. Flatsharing/roomsharing will cost about 220-320AUD week in the Campbelltown area and there aren’t even many options. Can’t really say much for UNSW but social life seems better - is in a better place as well.

 

[DrDrLMG!]

Hey guys,
In desperate need of advise here. I received med offers from UNSW and WSU. I’m leaning more towards WSU but what would you all advise?

Btw I’m an international student so paying full fees and haven’t received scholarships from unsw yet.

I’d imagine the fees saved via the 5 year option would be pretty substantial and would certainly be a huge factor for me considering these two options.

Do you have accommodation options for either in the works? That can be a tricky step at times.

 

[Zeina]

hi guys,

I got an offer from griffith gc and unimelb chancellors guaranteed entry pathway. which one do u recommend to pick?