Last reviewed: October 13, 2026. Entry rules, test requirements and registration rules change, so confirm everything with each university and the Medical Board. This article is general information, not advice.
Medicine is one of the most competitive degrees in Australia, and for international students the hard part is not choosing a university but understanding entry rules and what happens after you graduate. This guide explains what we could verify about rankings, how entry usually works, and the registration and internship rules that matter before you commit. For the wider list of universities, see our guide to the best universities in Australia.
Quick answer: there is no single best medical school for everyone. The University of Melbourne is one of six Australian subjects with a QS 2026 global top-20 placing in medicine (Study Australia). More important than rank is whether you can get a place, and whether you can complete the supervised internship that leads to full registration, which is tightly limited.
Rankings: What We Could Confirm
Study Australia’s summary of the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 lists the University of Melbourne among its global top-20 subjects, including medicine, but does not give the exact rank. Other universities publish their own claims, and the figures we found for other schools conflicted between sources, so we are not listing a rank table. Check the QS and THE subject tables directly for the current order.
How Entry Works for International Students
- Each university sets its own rules, including how many places go to international students.
- Undergraduate entry usually involves a test such as UCAT ANZ or ISAT, school results and sometimes an interview. Which test applies depends on the school.
- Graduate-entry (MD) programmes usually ask for a bachelor’s degree and a test such as GAMSAT or MCAT, depending on the university.
- Tutoring-company guides, which can differ from each other, report that some schools accept only GAMSAT from international applicants while others also accept MCAT (MedEntry; Fraser’s Medical). Treat those as a starting point and check each university’s admissions page.
Registration and Internship: What to Check Before You Enrol
To practise as a doctor in Australia you must be registered with the Medical Board of Australia. After the degree comes a supervised internship, and then general registration. The Board says that priority for accredited internship positions in Australia is given to Australian graduates, and that overseas graduates are likely to find these positions very difficult to obtain (Medical Board: interns).
- If you plan to study in Australia as an international student and then work here, ask the university and the Board in writing whether and how international students can obtain an internship, and what visa you would hold.
- If you plan to return home to practise, check the medical regulator in your home country, because rules for recognising foreign degrees differ.
- Overseas-trained doctors can apply to the Australian Medical Council for its certificate and then supervised practice (see the Board page on AMC certificate holders and the competent authority pathway).
Costs
International medical tuition varies by university and is among the highest of any degree. We did not find reliable official figures for each school, so check each university’s international fee page. Our universities guide shows how widely Australian fees vary.
Tips
- Shortlist universities by entry route (undergraduate or graduate) and test, not by ranking alone.
- Ask each university how many places go to international students and what their graduates do afterwards.
- Check the internship and visa position before you pay any deposit.
- Look at related fields such as law if you want a second option with a clearer path.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Australian university is best for medicine?
It depends on your entry route and goals. Melbourne has a QS 2026 global top-20 placing in medicine, but several other universities also have strong medical schools. Compare entry rules, international places and outcomes.
Can international students become doctors in Australia?
It is possible to study medicine as an international student, but internship places are prioritised for Australian graduates, so you must check this carefully before you enrol.
Do I need GAMSAT, MCAT or UCAT?
It depends on the university and whether you apply for undergraduate or graduate entry. Check each admissions page.
Sources
- Study Australia: QS Rankings by Subject 2026
- Medical Board of Australia: interns
- Medical Board of Australia: AMC certificate holders
- Medical Board of Australia: competent authority pathway
- MedEntry: applying for medicine as an international student
- Fraser’s Medical: international postgraduate applicants
- Australian Medical Council
