Australia offers a world-class medical education and advanced health infrastructure, making it an attractive option for many Indian students interested in pursuing medicine abroad. By following a medical degree in Australia, you can develop key skills as a caring, clinically outstanding, and research-capable healthcare professional.

Indian students interested in studying medicine in Australia can choose from a number of options, such as a Bachelor of Medicine Studies (BMed), a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), or a Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine. From these, an MBBS remains a highly popular degree option as it allows you to graduate in five years and gain accreditation from the Medical Board of Australia to practice in Australia.

In this blog, we explore what you can expect during your five-year MBBS programme, the funds needed for your studies, and your career prospects as an MBBS holder in Australia.

Let’s start by looking at some of the reasons why many high-performing students choose the land down under for their medical education.

Why study an MBBS in Australia?

Australia’s medical education takes a patient-centred approach, allowing students to practice making clinical decisions that consider the emotional, social, spiritual, and financial needs of patients. This focus on modern medical practices, along with the country’s emphasis on practical learning, means that MBBS students in Australia gain exposure to the best industry standards in the world.

In addition, here are some key reasons why you should consider following an MBBS in Australia:

  • Globally recognised universities – Australia boasts some of the best medical programmes in the world, with five Australian universities among the world’s top 100 for medicine. You can learn from experienced faculty and be at the forefront of medical advancements during your MBBS years.
  • State-of-the-art facilities – Australian medical schools are home to modern infrastructure like health simulation clinics, dental simulation clinics, and laboratories where you can conduct commercial clinical trials and deliver high-quality care for study participants in a self-contained, safe environment. These purpose-built facilities allow you to gain hands-on practical training and valuable exposure to health care before graduation.
  • Great career opportunities – Australia has a high demand for doctors, which ensures that MBBS graduates have excellent job prospects after completing their degree. Furthermore, Australian medical schools have strong links with hospitals and medical institutions, offering students numerous clinical training opportunities. After graduation, you’re eligible to register to work a one-year internship in Australia or New Zealand.
  • Internationally recognised qualification – The Australian MBBS programme is recognised by international bodies like the UK’s General Medical Council (GMC) and the World Health Organisation, facilitating your entry into global practice after graduation.
  • Low cost of living and supportive culture – Australia’s diverse culture and relatively low cost of living allow you to ease into life abroad and focus on your studies so you can achieve your dream of becoming a fully-qualified doctor.

Australian universities are committed to producing doctors who are competent and ready to practice medicine effectively and safely by prioritising patients and their families in treatment plans. To achieve this, Australian medical schools, like James Cook University, allow students to develop medical and scientific knowledge, communication and clinical skills, skills as a health advocate, awareness of ethical and professional responsibilities to patients, and strategies to cope with the challenges of medicine.

Note: Most Australian universities have now replaced the traditional MBBS with the Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine (BMed/MD) programme. This differs from an MBBS as it typically lasts six years and allows you to graduate with two qualifications: a BMed and an MD. High-ranking Australian universities offering the BMed/MD qualification include Bond University and La Trobe University. 

Before choosing the undergraduate medical qualification you wish to do – either an MBBS or a BMed/MD – you can take a look at the syllabus of the two degrees to help you decide. The course overview gives you insights into the subjects you would be studying during your programme, along with an idea of your workload for each year of study.

To help you get started, we’ve outlined the curriculum of an MBBS in Australia in the next section.

Course overview of an MBBS in Australia

With a comprehensive curriculum that combines both theoretical and practical learning, the MBBS remains a popular undergraduate medical course in Australia. During your five-year MBBS degree, you will study biomedical and clinical sciences, along with the practice of healthcare in diverse settings like hospitals and aged care institutions.

Here’s an overview of the MBBS course structure in Australia:

First year
  • Gain an introduction to integrated medical studies
  • Examine normal functions of the human body at the molecular and cellular level
  • Consider how systems and society can influence health
  • Learn the fundamentals of biomedical science
  • Participate in clinical practice tutorials
Second year
  • Explore human anatomy, physiology, and common pathophysiologies
  • Develop associated clinical skills while focusing on challenges common to rural, remote, and tropical contexts
Third year
  • Expand clinical healthcare knowledge
  • Undertake further study of both physiological and social impacts on health
  • Consider specific study areas like immunology and preventive medicine
Fourth year
  • Expand clinical pathology knowledge, working specifically to examine and collect information from patients
  • Build expertise in interpreting data to draw conclusions and plan for patient care
Fifth year
  • Perform in clinical healthcare environments
  • Complete rotations in clinical healthcare settings, each lasting a few weeks
  • Undertake an embedded clinical placement as a trainee intern in a hospital within our training region, to consolidate work-ready clinical skills
  • Complete a clinical elective

Before applying for your preferred MBBS degree in Australia, you must determine if you’re eligible for entry into it. We’ve outlined the general eligibility criteria for MBBS degrees in Australia below.

Eligibility criteria for an MBBS in Australia

You must be a school leaver who has completed the Australian Year 12 or its international equivalent to apply for an MBBS in Australia. In general, the admissions criteria for an MBBS in Australia for Indian students are:

  • A minimum score of 94% for the Indian Higher Secondary Certificate
  • Overall band score of 7.0 with a band score of 7.0 in all bands for IELTS Academic

Most Australian universities also require you to demonstrate the mastery of key chemistry concepts, attained by approximately 220 hours of studies in chemistry through a pathway like:

  • Completion of Chemistry ATAR with a final scaled score of 50 or higher
  • Completion of International Baccalaureate Chemistry with Grade 4 or higher
  • GCE Advanced Level Chemistry, with a minimum grade of E

Additionally, when applying for your MBBS programme, you’re required to submit a set of documents with your application form. These documents play a crucial role in demonstrating your qualifications to the admissions teams.

Documents required for an MBBS application to Australia

When submitting your MBBS application to an Australian university, you’ll be required to submit a set of supporting documents that carry proof of your educational qualifications and are able to demonstrate your characteristics to the university.

Here’s a list of the documents required for an MBBS application to Australia:

  • Academic transcripts
  • Copy of your passport
  • Evidence of English language proficiency
  • Graduation certificates and official award certificates
  • Personal statement

After you’ve shortlisted your universities and read through the entry requirements of your preferred MBBS programmes, it can be helpful to:

  • Compile a table of entry requirements and documents needed for your top five choices to quickly refer to while filling in your applications
  • Consider applying to multiple universities which have varying entry requirements so you have safe choices
  • Speak with your teachers and advisors about meeting the educational requirements

Another important aspect of your application process to Australia is formulating a funding plan for your studies. Australian universities have a variety of tuition fees, while your living expenses will vary depending on where your university is located. Let’s explore expenses and scholarship opportunities for MBBS students in the next two sections.

Funds required to study an MBBS in Australia for Indian students

The expenses associated with your MBBS in Australia are usually classified under three main categories: your pre-arrival expenses, tuition fees, and your living expenses.

Your living expenses will vary depending on your location in Australia and your lifestyle, while your tuition fees depend on the university you select for your programme. Your pre-arrival costs generally include the visa application fee and healthcare insurance you have to pay before coming into Australia.

Pre-arrival expenses to Australia

Before arriving in Australia, you’ll need to apply for an Australian student visa (Subclass 500) ,which gives you the right to study and live in Australia for the duration of your MBBS. This application requires you to make the following payments:

  • An application fee of AUD 1,600
  • Health insurance ranging between AUD 609 and AUD 3,438

Fee structure of an MBBS in Australia for Indian students

Australian universities have a range of tuition fees, so depending on the funds available, you can select the best-fit one for you. Typically, tuition fees will be between AUD 60,000 to AUD 95,000 per year for an MBBS programme.

Cost of living in Australia

Your living expenses in Australia will mainly account for accommodation, food, and travel costs. Here’s an overview of the cost of living in Australia:

Cost Cities  Regional Australia 
Monthly rent (every fortnight) AUD 450 AUD 260
Monthly public transport costs AUD 30 to AUD 60
Monthly grocery costs AUD 140 to AUD 280

You can get funding support to manage some of these expenses with an undergraduate scholarship to Australia. Let’s look at some scholarships in Australia that you can apply for as an MBBS student next.

Scholarships for Indian students to study an MBBS in Australia

Financing the costs of your MBBS in Australia may be one of your biggest considerations as you plan to study in Australia. The country has a range of scholarships for undergraduate students to help cover a portion of or the total study costs.

The following table shows scholarships for undergraduate medical students that can significantly reduce the cost of studying an MBBS in Australia.

Scholarship Value
Australia Awards Scholarship Fully funded
Destination Australia Scholarship AUD 15,000 per year

To be eligible for an undergraduate scholarship in Australia, you must have an impressive academic record and often show proof of volunteering and/or community service activities. Once you obtain a scholarship, it can help you focus on your studies without worrying too much about the expenses involved and increase your employability by introducing you to valuable scholarship alumni networks.

Next, let’s have a look at the career pathway in Australia for MBBS graduates.

Work permit after obtaining your MBBS in Australia

Medicine is a highly rewarding career, but becoming a doctor is no easy feat. In this table, we break down your pathway to medical practice in Australia after graduation:

Steps Description
Step 1: Provisional registration Six weeks prior to the completion of your MBBS, you’re required to apply for provisional registration with the Australian Medical Board through an online application form.
Step 2: Internship After obtaining your provisional registration and graduating from your degree, you must undertake a one-year internship (47 weeks) in a hospital in Australia or New Zealand.
Step 3: Obtain your general medical registration Once you’ve completed your accredited intern year, you’re awarded the general medical registration through the Medical Board of Australia.
Step 4: Complete one or more years of prevocational training After completing training as an intern in a public hospital, you can pursue additional training as a Resident Medical Officer to better prepare for medical speciality programs.
Step 5: Obtain fellowship through a speciality medical training programme Once you have completed a sufficient amount of training as an intern and RMO, you will be able to apply for admission into a medical speciality training program via speciality colleges.

These vocational training programmes can vary in length from three to seven years, after which you will be able to practice medicine independently as a general practitioner, specialist physician, or surgeon.

Let’s now look at the salary prospects for MBBS graduates in Australia.

Salary prospects for MBBS graduates in Australia

Australia faces a high demand for doctors and nurses due to an ageing population, a growing burden of chronic diseases, and a geographic maldistribution of the health workforce. As a result, international students who complete their MBBS in Australia have a great opportunity to enter diverse career pathways in the healthcare industry.

Here’s an overview of your salary prospects as you advance in your medical career after obtaining your MBBS.

Job role Average annual salary 
Intern AUD 86,000
Resident Medical Officer (RMO) AUD 140,000
General practitioner AUD 205,000
Surgeon AUD 600,000

An MBBS in Australia can give you a strong foundation for medical training, along with an understanding of the values and ethics needed to become a compassionate doctor. With a globally-recognised MBBS degree from an Australian institution, you can pursue positions in public hospitals, private practice, public health, teaching, clinical research, aid organisations, and more to serve communities with empathy and care.

We can help you take the first step towards your dream medical education with our free application support service. Book a free counselling session with a StudyIn counsellor today and take the first step towards your MBBS in Australia with confidence.

Contact StudyIn about your application

FAQs

How to study an MBBS in Australia as an Indian student? 

After completing your high school education, you can apply for an MBBS programme at an Australian university. To be eligible, you generally need a minimum score of 94% for the Indian Higher Secondary Certificate and an overall band score of 7.0 with a band score of 7.0 in all bands for the IELTS Academic test.

How much does an MBBS cost in Australia for international students? 

The average annual tuition fee for an MBBS programme is between AUD 60,000 and AUD 95,000 per year. In addition, you must allocate funds for your visa, health insurance, and living costs in Australia.

Is the MBBS in Australia accepted in India? 

An Australian MBBS qualification is valid in India; however, you must get a license to practice medicine in the country. Students who have obtained their MBBS overseas must sit for an exam in India to obtain their license.

How long is the MBBS in Australia for Indian students? 

An MBBS degree generally lasts between five and six years in Australia. After graduating, you must complete a compulsory year of internship in a public hospital to obtain your general medical registration.