ATAR for Medicine 2026 — What You Need in Australia

Quick answer: For direct entry from Year 12, you generally need an ATAR of 95 or higher, a competitive UCAT score, and a successful interview (usually a Multiple Mini Interview). A few schools publish a lower minimum near 90, but that only gets you shortlisted, not an offer.

Your ATAR (or the one you're aiming for)

/ 99.95

Enter an ATAR between 0 and 99.95.

Where you stand

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A guide based on indicative 2026 ATAR data. ATAR is only one of three parts of a medicine application. Your UCAT and interview matter just as much, and cut-offs change every year. Always confirm with each university.

Indicative ATAR by medical school (direct entry)

These are indicative ATAR figures for school-leaver direct entry. Remember that 95 or above is the realistic target everywhere once the UCAT and interview are weighted in. The University of Sydney, Melbourne and ANU admit only postgraduate students and do not set an ATAR for school leavers.

University	Indicative ATAR	Notes
UNSW (Sydney)	96+	UCAT and interview, weighted roughly equally with ATAR
Monash (Victoria)	90 min, ~96 typical	The only Victorian direct entry; UCAT and MMI
UQ (provisional MD)	~99	UCAT and interview
Curtin (WA)	95 min, ~98 typical	Year 12 chemistry required; UCAT
Adelaide (SA)	90 min, ~99+ typical	UCAT and interview
Western Sydney / Charles Sturt (JMP)	95.5	75% interview, 25% UCAT
CQUniversity	95 min, ~98+ typical	Provisional entry; UCAT
Bond (QLD, private)	~96	Psychometric test instead of UCAT, plus interview
James Cook (QLD)	Rural and regional focus	No UCAT; written application and interview
Flinders (SA)	Direct entry	No interview; UCAT used in final ranking

Figures are indicative, drawn from recent university admissions pages and change every year. Always confirm the current requirement on the official admissions page for the year you apply.

ATAR is only one of three parts

Unlike most degrees, medicine does not rank you on ATAR alone. Almost every direct-entry program weighs three things: your ATAR, your UCAT score, and your interview. A school may list a minimum ATAR near 90, but once the UCAT and interview are added, the median successful applicant sits at 95 or higher everywhere.

That means a high ATAR with a weak UCAT can still miss out, and a solid ATAR with a strong UCAT and interview can win a place. Treat the UCAT like a fourth subject and prepare for it through Year 12.

If your ATAR is below 95

You still have three realistic routes. Rural and regional entry pathways accept a lower ATAR with residency conditions. Bonded medical places accept a lower ATAR in return for a service obligation after you graduate. The most common route is postgraduate: finish a bachelor's degree, sit the GAMSAT, and apply to a graduate medical program. Around half of Australian medical students enter this way.

Plan around your target university

The same degree can sit several ATAR points apart across universities, so the question only makes sense once you name your target school. Use the table above to set your goal, then check the official admissions page. To estimate your ATAR first, use your state tool on the ATAR calculators hub or the ATAR predictor.

Most medical programs also require the UCAT, and current ATAR thresholds are listed through admissions centres like UAC.

ATAR for medicine — common questions

What ATAR do I need for medicine in Australia?

For direct entry from Year 12, the working answer is 95 or above, paired with a competitive UCAT score and a successful interview. A few schools publish a minimum near 90, but that only gets you shortlisted.

Can I get into medicine with an ATAR below 95?

Yes, through a rural or regional pathway, a bonded medical place, or the postgraduate route (a bachelor's degree then the GAMSAT). Around half of Australian medical students enter through the postgraduate pathway.

Which universities have the highest ATAR for medicine?

The University of Queensland's provisional MD sits near 99, and competitive applicants at UNSW, Monash, Adelaide and Curtin typically score 96 to 99 once UCAT and interview are included.

Do Sydney, Melbourne and ANU take school leavers for medicine?

No. These three admit only postgraduate students. You enter through a bachelor's degree, a strong GAMSAT score and an interview, so they do not publish an ATAR for school leavers.

Does the UCAT matter more than the ATAR?

It depends on the university. Some weigh ATAR, UCAT and interview roughly equally; others lean heavily on the UCAT or the interview. Treat all three as important.

Is the figure in this checker exact?

No, it is an indicative guide based on recent data. ATAR cut-offs change every year and the UCAT and interview decide the final outcome. Always confirm with each university.

What ATAR Do You Need for Medicine in Australia?

Indicative ATAR by medical school (direct entry)

ATAR is only one of three parts

If your ATAR is below 95

Plan around your target university

ATAR for medicine — common questions

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