Pathways to Medicine

How to become a doctor

The University of Notre Dame Australia’s Doctor of Medicine program is a four-year postgraduate degree accredited by the Medical Board of Australia on the recommendation of the Australian Medical Council. Our Doctor of Medicine aims to develop and train caring and ethical doctors imbued with the values of compassion, respect, and service. Students undertake clinical placements in the third and fourth years of the degree in a wide variety of settings, including aged care facilities, public and private hospitals, general practices and community-based health services in urban and rural areas across Australia. The Doctor of Medicine program is offered in the Sydney, Fremantle and Broome campuses.

At Notre Dame, we offer multiple pathways to Medicine at Notre Dame University to support as many aspiring doctors to achieve their career goals as possible.

Undergraduate pathway to medicine

• Priority entry pathway

  The Priority Entry Pathway is Notre Dame’s reserved-entry pathway into the Doctor of Medicine for outstanding graduates of our Bachelor of Biomedical Science. Each year, a defined number of places in Medicine are reserved for eligible Notre Dame Biomedical Science graduates, meaning you compete within your cohort rather than against the broader national applicant pool. Selection is based on sustained university performance and demonstrated suitability for the profession.

  Undergraduate students studying biomedical science can also combine their degree with a Bachelor of Laws or Bachelor of Commerce to form a double degree, diversifying their career options. These candidates are eligible to apply to the MD via the GEMSAS Doctor of Medicine admission process, with a number of places set aside each year for graduates of the Bachelor of Biomedical Science (including double) degrees.

  This pathway is available for students who were initially admitted to their Bachelor of Biomedical Science (incl. double degrees) from 2024 onwards, with the first Priority Entry commencing in the 2026–2027 intake.

  Applicants will be considered for Priority Entry Admission once in their first eligible application, either in the year of degree completion or the year after completion.

  Applicants are required to meet all admissions requirements as set out in the GEMSAS Guide for the specific intake they are applying for along with the following criteria:

  • Must be either completing their Bachelor of Biomedical Science degree in the year of application or have completed their degree the year prior to application. i.e. for the 2026–2027 intake, applicants must be completing their degree in 2026 or completed in 2025 (noting the first admission requirement).
    Note that degree completion will be taken from the last period of study, not the graduation date.
  • Applicants who apply in the year after completion of their Bachelor of Biomedical Science degree will not be eligible for Priority Entry if they have undertaken further studies at another tertiary institution.
  • Applicants may not have received more than one year full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) credit from another degree (excluding credit transfer between Notre Dame Biomedical Science degrees)
  • As part of their GEMSAS application, applicants must preference Notre Dame, Fremantle and KCRMT, Broome or Notre Dame, Sydney as their first preference.
  • Applicants must also meet the following criteria as part of their GEMSAS application:
    • A GPA, as calculated by GEMSAS, of 6.0 or higher,
    • An unweighted GAMSAT of 55 or higher,
    • A situational judgement (Casper) test score no lower than 1 standard deviation (SD) below the mean

  Place offers

  Places reserved for the Priority Entry Pathway will be distributed nationally between campuses and fee types in a similar pattern to the distribution of general places

  Please see GEMSAS Guide for overall place numbers by campus and fee type.

Postgraduate pathways to medicine

• General entry pathway

  The University provides an opportunity for aspiring doctors to apply for our postgraduate Doctor of Medicine program, available to individuals who have completed an eligible undergraduate degree in any discipline. This supports our culture of inclusivity and the provision of equivalent opportunities to access medical education regardless of an applicant’s initial field of study.

  Applications for the General entry pathway are via GEMSAS. Applicants are considered based on their:

  • GPA
  • GAMSAT
  • Casper situational judgement test
  • Bonus points
  • Interview

  Details of entry requirements are published in the GEMSAS Guide each year. Please review the information on the GEMSAS website for further details.

  Please note that information in the GEMSAS Guide relates to the specific intake period. While it may be used as a guide for future intakes, information is subject to change.

• Indigenous entry pathway

  Indigenous applicants can apply for entry into medicine at Notre Dame Fremantle, Sydney and the Kimberley Centre for Remote Medical Training (KCRMT), Broome, via the Indigenous entry pathway. Applicants for KCRMT should also review the information on the KCRMT webpage. Indigenous applicants can apply directly to Notre Dame for the Indigenous Entry Pathway via the Application into Medicine Form.

  Entry criteria

  Applicants for the Indigenous pathway must meet the following entry requirements to be considered for this competitive entry pathway.

  Indigenous Pathways entry requirements:

  • Proof of Aboriginality
  • Completion of a minimum three-year full-time equivalent (FTE) undergraduate degree within the last 10 years (Nb. If the undergraduate degree was completed more than 10 years prior, applicants may be eligible if they have undertaken further tertiary studies within the last 10 years)
  • Minimum GPA of 5.0 (Nb. Applicants with a GPA below 5.0 may be considered on a case-by-case basis).
  • Personal statement
  • Resume / CV
  • Successful Interview

  Applications open from 1 May each year.

  Applications close:

  • Round 1: 31 May 2026
  • Round 2: 30 June 2026
  • Round 3: 31 August 2026

  Interview invitations: Interviews will commence from June

  Preparation course

  The Indigenous Health and Medicine Team runs a one-week intensive pre-medicine preparation program in December for commencing Indigenous students. Successful applicants will be advised when this program is running in 2026 for the 2027 entry.

• Kimberley Centre for Remote Medical Training (KCRMT)

  Kimberley or Pilbara residents have a priority for admission into the Kimberley Centre for Remote Medical Training (KCRMT), Broome program.

  For further information visit the Kimberley Centre for Remote Medical Training webpage.

• International pathways

  International postgraduate students can apply for our postgraduate Doctor of Medicine.

  Learn more about what makes our medicine program different, the undergraduate assured pathway, and our Fremantle (WA) or Sydney (NSW) campuses on our International pathways to Medicine page.

• Facilitated Interview Pathways to Medicine

  Graduates of The University of Notre Dame Australia programs (and affiliated programs) may be eligible for an interview, where they would not have been otherwise offered an interview, through one of the University’s facilitated interview pathways for graduates. Applicants must meet all of the standard entry requirements via GEMSAS, as well as the additional requirements outlined under each pathway.

  Any offer for an interview made through any of Notre Dame’s Facilitated Interview Pathways is not guaranteed entry into the Doctor of Medicine program. Following the interview, applicants are competitively ranked for a place offer.

  UNDA graduates

  This Facilitated Interview Pathway graduates of any Notre Dame undergraduate degree who have not otherwise been offered an interview through the standard GEMSAS processes an opportunity to interview for the Doctor of Medicine Program (MD).

  Eligibility:

  • Applied for the MD program or equivalent through the GEMSAS process, and listed the Fremantle or Sydney campus as their first preference in their application; and
  • Fulfil all eligibility criteria for entry into the Notre Dame MD program as outlined in the GEMSAS Admission Guide specifically applicable for the year of application; and
  • Be completing in the year of application, or have completed in the preceding year from a three-year FTE undergraduate bachelor's degree at The University of Notre Dame Australia; and
  • Have achieved a minimum GPA of 6 or above as calculated by GEMSAS and an unweighted GAMSAT average of 55 or above; and.
  • Be ranked in the top 10 of Notre Dame graduates applying for the MD program for the Fremantle or Sydney Campus who have not otherwise been offered an interview through the standard Notre Dame MD interview selection and application processes.

  Interview offers:

  Up to 10 offers for interview on the Fremantle or Sydney campus

  Any offer for an interview made through any of Notre Dame’s Facilitated Interview Pathway’s is not guaranteed entry into the Fremantle campus Doctor of Medicine program. Following the interview, applicants are competitively ranked for an offer of placement.

  Pre-Medicine Certificate (PMC) graduates

  This Facilitated Interview Pathway provides Notre Dame Pre-Medicine Certificate graduates who have not otherwise been offered an interview through the standard GEMSAS processes, an opportunity to interview for the Doctor of Medicine Program (MD).

  Eligibility:

  • Applied for the MD program or equivalent through the GEMSAS process, and listed the Fremantle campus as a preference in their application; and
  • Fulfil all eligibility criteria for entry into the Notre Dame MD program as outlined in the GEMSAS Admission Guide specifically applicable for the year of application; and
  • Be completing in the year of application, or have completed in the preceding year from a three-year FTE undergraduate Bachelor’s degree AND the Pre-Medicine Certificate at The University of Notre Dame Australia; and
  • Have not previously been afforded a facilitated interview offer via the PMC process.

  Please note: The guaranteed PMC interview will be applied to all eligible applicants unless the applicant contacts Admissions office directly via email to medicine.admissions@nd.edu.au advising they wish to reserve their interview for the following year.

  Interview offers:

  Up to 10 offers for interview

  Any offer for an interview made through any of Notre Dame’s Facilitated Interview Pathway’s is not guaranteed entry into the Fremantle campus Doctor of Medicine program. Following the interview, applicants are competitively ranked for an offer of placement.

  Graduate Diploma of Health and Medical Sciences graduates

  This Facilitated Interview Pathway provides Notre Dame Diploma of Health and Medical Sciences graduates who have not otherwise been offered an interview through the standard GEMSAS processes, an opportunity to interview for the Doctor of Medicine Program (MD).

  Eligibility:

  • Applied for the MD program or equivalent through the GEMSAS process, and listed the Fremantle or Sydney campus as their first preference in their application; and
  • Fulfil all eligibility criteria for entry into the Notre Dame MD program as outlined in the GEMSAS Graduate Australian Medical Schools Admission Guide specifically applicable for the year of application; and
  • Be due to complete the Graduate Diploma of Health and Medical Sciences by 31 July in the year of application or have completed the Graduate Diploma of Health and Medical Sciences in the previous thirty months from the closure date for submission of their GEMSAS Application; and
  • Achieve an equivalent GPA greater than or equal to 6.0 for the Graduate Diploma program; and
  • Be ranked in the top 25 Graduate Diploma of Health and Medical Science graduates applying for the Notre Dame MD program who have not otherwise been offered an interview through the standard MD interview selection and application processes.

  Interview offers:

  Up to 25 offers for interview

  Any offer for an interview made through any of Notre Dame’s Facilitated Interview Pathways is not guaranteed entry into the Doctor of Medicine program. Following the interview, applicants are competitively ranked for an offer of placement.

  ACU Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences Facilitated Interview Pathway

  This Facilitated Interview Pathway provides graduates of the Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences from Australian Catholic University (ACU) who have not otherwise been offered an interview through the standard GEMSAS processes an opportunity to interview for the Doctor of Medicine Program (MD) at the School of Medicine, Sydney (SoMS).

  Eligibility:

  • To meet the eligibility requirements for the Facilitated Interview Pathway Program, an ACU Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences Applicant must:
  • Apply for the MD program or equivalent through the GEMSAS process, and listed the Notre Dame School of Medicine, Sydney as their first preference in their application; and
  • Have undertaken, or are undertaking, their Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences on-Campus at ACU (explicitly excluding those ACU students undertaking their Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences in a distance, online or equivalent mode); and
  • Be completing in the year of application, or have completed in the preceding year the Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences from ACU in Achieve an overall weighted GPA greater than or equal to 6.0 as calculated by GEMSAS during the Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences program; and
  • Sit the GAMSAT Test and achieve an overall GAMSAT score greater than or equal to 55; and
  • Be ranked by Notre Dame in the top 5 of ACU Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences Applicants applying for the MD program, Sydney who have not otherwise been offered an interview through the standard Notre Dame MD interview selection and application processes.

  Interview offers:

  Up to 5 offers for interview

  Any offer for an interview made through any of Notre Dame’s Facilitated Interview Pathway’s is not guaranteed entry into the SoMS Doctor of Medicine program. Following the interview, applicants are competitively ranked for an offer of placement.

Inherent Requirements

Applicants to the Doctor of Medicine program are invited to carefully review the Inherent Requirements of the program. They outline the commitment and challenges involved in meeting the program's requirements and can be found within the Program Requirements document. The University of Notre Dame Australia supports inclusive medical education, prioritising the wellbeing of all our medical students and fostering an inclusive learning environment. If applicants have concerns about fulfilling the Inherent Requirements, they are encouraged to contact us for a confidential discussion to assess their situation and explore ways to make reasonable accommodations on an individual basis.

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