Job Guide

To become a medical practitioner you usually have to study medicine at university. To get into the courses below you usually need to gain your QCE with particularly good results. Prerequisite subjects, or assumed knowledge, in one or more of English, mathematics, physics and chemistry are normally required. The various universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements. Contact the universities you are interested in for more information as requirements may change.

Entry into the following courses is highly competitive. Entry into the Bond University and University of Queensland courses is based on a combination of academic achievement, performance on the Undergraduate Medicine and Health Sciences Admission Test (UMAT), and a semi-structured interview. The UMAT is a written test that assesses non-academic personal qualities. Entry into the James Cook University course is based on a combination of written application, academic achievement and interview. To be considered for an interview, applicants must submit a James Cook University Application Form.

Degree Courses:

Bond University:

• Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery, 5 years full time

Griffith University - Nathan and Gold Coast Campuses:

• Bachelor of Medical Science/Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery, 4 years full time

James Cook University - Townsville Campus:

• Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery, 6 years full time

University of Queensland - St Lucia Campus:

• Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery, 6 years full time
• Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery, 6 years full time

University of Queensland - Ipswich and St Lucia Campuses:

• Bachelor of Health Sciences/Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery, 6 years full time

Additional Information:

Following completion of any of the above courses, graduates must undertake one year of full-time employment (internship) at a recognised teaching hospital to be able to gain full registration as a medical practitioner with the Medical Board.

In March 2008 the Commonwealth, state and territory governments agreed to introduce a National Registration and Accreditation Scheme for a number of health occupations, including medical practice. This new national system will replace the existing state-based registration requirements and is due to be implemented in July 2010. For full details see the National Health Workforce Taskforce website (www.nhwt.gov.au/natreg.asp).

Entry to the various specialisations requires postgraduate study, experience in approved hospitals and the passing of examinations leading to membership of the appropriate professional college. Specialist training programs and examinations are administered by these colleges.

General practice training standards are set by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and training requires three years following the intern year, with a final examination leading to Fellowship of the College. Rural practice incorporates a further year of special rural skills training.