Getting into medicine is one of the most competitive, complicated, and high-stakes application processes in Australia and New Zealand.

There are 24 direct entry programs, 11 postgraduate programs, different admissions tests, interviews, prerequisite subjects, and closing dates that vary by university. This guide makes it easier to understand, prepare, and apply for Medicine. Get your copy today for home or school.

What’s inside the 2026 edition?

The Entry to Medicine Guide is a 52-page PDF that brings together everything students, parents, and careers advisors need to navigate the path from high school to medical school. All without spending hours trawling through individual university websites.

It covers the basics of studying medicine in plain English, including how the assessment process works, what the UCAT is and when to sit it, and the difference between Commonwealth Supported Places, Bonded Places, and Full Fee-Paying options. It also walks through HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP, and New Zealand student loans so you understand the financial side before you apply.

Every direct entry medical program in Australia and New Zealand is profiled individually, with minimum ATAR or NCEA requirements, prerequisite subjects, whether the UCAT or an interview is required, application closing dates, annual fees, available places, campus locations, and entry schemes for rural, regional, Indigenous, and equity applicants.

Postgraduate medical programs are also included, so you can plan a realistic pathway even if direct entry doesn’t work out this time around.

And because not every strong applicant gets in first time, there’s practical advice on creating a solid Plan B… including what to think about before defaulting to a Bachelor of Medical Science.

Who is this guide for? 

For students and families: If you’re in Year 10, 11, or 12 and considering medicine, the Personal Edition guide saves you heaps of research and helps you understand exactly what you need to do (and when). It’s also useful for parents and carers who want to support the process without feeling like they need a medical degree themselves.

For careers advisors and schools: If you’re a careers practitioner fielding questions about medicine from students and parents every year, the School Licensed Edition gives you a professionally researched resource you can share across your school, digitally or in print. Use it in one-on-one counselling appointments, careers workshops, parent information evenings, or your sharing on school’s learning management system. Plus you’ll get the Quick Reference Guide too You can even email it out to students as well.

Or if you’ve been searching for something like:

• How to get into medicine in Australia
• Medicine entry requirements Australia
• UCAT guide Australia 2026
• Undergraduate medicine programs Australia

Then you’ve found the guide you’re looking for.

What’s new in the 2026 edition? 

This is Edition 8, fully updated and verified with each Australian and New Zealand university for 2027 entry. It includes the new University of Queensland Bachelor of Medical Science / Doctor of Medicine pathway launching in 2027, updated ATAR and NCEA minimums across all programs, the 2026 UCAT key dates, current fee information (including the HELP loan limit of $186,544), and the latest closing dates for every program that has confirmed them.

It also notes that 2026 is the last year ANU will offer its Bachelor of Health Science Pathway to Medicine – important information for students considering studying in Canberra.

Key details at a glance

• 52 pages, A4 format, digital PDF
• 24 direct entry programs profiled in detail
• 2 separate entry programs (Macquarie and Wollongong)
• 11 postgraduate programs summarised
• All 2026 UCAT dates, application closing dates, and ATAR minimums
• Advice on the assessment process, interviews, fees, places, and Plan B options

Licence options

• Personal Use – for individual students and families
• One Campus – share across one school campus (digital and print) + Quick Reference Guide
• Two Campuses – share across two campuses within the same institution (digital and print) + Quick Reference Guide
• Three Campuses – share across three campuses within the same institution (digital and print) + Quick Reference Guide

Entry to Medicine Guide FAQs 

Q: What is the Entry to Medicine Guide?
A: It’s a 52-page PDF published by Study Work Grow that covers every medical program available to school leavers in Australia and New Zealand for 2026, including entry requirements, UCAT and ATAR details, closing dates, fees, and step-by-step application guidance.

Q: How many medical programs are covered?
A: The guide profiles 24 direct entry undergraduate programs, 2 separate entry programs, and 11 postgraduate programs — covering every medical school in Australia and New Zealand.

Q: Is the guide updated for 2026?
A: Yes. This is Edition 8, Version 1, published in 2026. It includes the latest ATAR minimums, UCAT 2026 key dates, updated fees, and all confirmed closing dates.

Q: Can schools share the guide with students?
A: Yes. The School Licensed Edition (One Campus, Two Campuses, or Three Campuses) allows schools to distribute the guide digitally and in print within their licensed campuses. Individual students and families can purchase the Personal Use licence.

Q: Does the guide include postgraduate medicine pathways?
A: Yes. It summarises 11 postgraduate Doctor of Medicine programs across Australia, including GPA requirements, GAMSAT details, closing dates, and campus locations.

 

Getting into Medicine starts now…

Whether you’re a careers advisor helping students at your school, or an aspiring medicine student, get your copy now and start exploring the options in minutes. Instant access via email.