Most Australian school-leaver medicine programs set a minimum ATAR between 90 and 96 for 2027 entry, but the ATARs that actually receive offers are usually much higher, often 99 or above. Your ATAR only gets you past the first gate. Most programs then rank you on the UCAT ANZ and an interview, and some add the Casper test or subject prerequisites such as Chemistry.
ATAR for medicine key facts (2027 entry)
- Published minimum ATARs range from 90 (Monash, Adelaide University) to 96 (UNSW), with 99.95 for the University of Sydney's double degree medicine program.
- UNSW's course page lists a recent lowest ATAR of 99.75 for local applicants, well above its 96.00 minimum.
- Most programs need the UCAT ANZ, sat in the middle of Year 12. The University of Sydney's double degree does not.
- Rural applicants often have lower minimums: 91.00 at UNSW, 91.50 at Charles Sturt and Western Sydney, and 85.00 from rural or remote schools for the Newcastle and New England program.
- JCU does not set ATAR thresholds for medicine; it selects on academic results, an online application and an interview.
Minimum ATAR for medicine by university (2027 entry)
Each figure below is taken from the university's own course page or its admissions centre listing, checked on 21 October 2026. A minimum is the lowest ATAR that can be considered, not the ATAR that gets an offer.
| University | Program | Published ATAR | Also required |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Sydney | Double Degree Medicine (BA/MD, BSc/MD) | 99.95 | Assessment day with interview and written task; no UCAT |
| UNSW Sydney | Medical Studies / Doctor of Medicine | 96.00 minimum (91.00 rural) | UCAT ANZ, interview |
| Western Sydney University | Clinical Science (Medicine) / MD | 95.50 (93.50 Western Sydney residents, 91.50 rural) | UCAT ANZ, interview |
| Charles Sturt University | Clinical Science (Medicine) / MD | 95.50 (91.50 rural) | UCAT ANZ, interview |
| University of Queensland | MD provisional entry for school leavers | Adjusted ATAR 95 | UCAT ANZ, multiple mini interview; GPA 5.0 in a UQ bachelor degree to progress |
| Curtin University | Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery | 95 minimum | Chemistry (WA scaled score 50 or more), UCAT ANZ, Casper test |
| University of Tasmania | Medical Science / Doctor of Medicine | 95 minimum, including rural adjustment | UCAT ANZ (used to rank equal ATARs), Chemistry, English; no interview |
| Newcastle and New England (Joint Medical Program) | Medical Science / Doctor of Medicine | 94.30 minimum (85.00 from rural or remote schools) | UCAT ANZ, JMP assessment |
| Monash University | Medical Science / Doctor of Medicine (direct entry) | 90 minimum | Study scores of 30 in English (35 in EAL) and 30 in Chemistry, UCAT ANZ, multiple mini interview |
| Adelaide University | Bachelor of Medical Studies (pathway to MD) | Adjusted 90.00 | One of Biology, Chemistry or Mathematical Methods; UCAT ANZ; interview |
| James Cook University | Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery | No set threshold | Online application, interview |
Sources: UAC medicine key dates for 2027 (Sydney, UNSW, Western Sydney, Charles Sturt, Newcastle and New England), UNSW course page, QTAC listing 721402 (UQ), Curtin Medicine Admissions Guide 2027, University of Tasmania course page (2027), Monash direct entry requirements, Adelaide University 2027 degree page, JCU undergraduate medicine applications page. Requirements change each year, so check the university before you apply.
Minimum ATAR versus the ATAR that gets an offer
A minimum ATAR is a gate, not a target. Monash says its minimum is 90 but that the final ATAR is significantly higher in most intakes. Adelaide University says the actual ATAR needed is typically much higher than its 90.00 minimum. UNSW lists a minimum of 96.00 for 2027 but a recent lowest ATAR of 99.75 for local applicants. Plan on needing a top ATAR as well as a strong UCAT and interview.
Very few students reach the top of the scale: in 2025, 53 NSW students and 42 Victorian students received 99.95. See how many students get 99.95.
What else selection uses
| Requirement | What it is | Who uses it (2027) |
|---|---|---|
| UCAT ANZ | A clinical aptitude test sat in the middle of Year 12 | Most programs in the table; not the University of Sydney double degree |
| Interview | Panel or multiple mini interview, often online | Most programs; not the University of Tasmania |
| Casper test | An online situational judgement test | Curtin |
| Subject prerequisites | Usually English and Chemistry | For example Monash, Curtin and the University of Tasmania |
| Recency | Year 12 completed recently | For example Monash (within two years, no other tertiary study) |
Rural, Indigenous and equity pathways
Many programs set lower minimums or reserve places for rural students and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants. For 2027 entry, UNSW's rural minimum was 91.00, Charles Sturt and Western Sydney's 91.50, and the Newcastle and New England program's 85.00 for students from rural or remote high schools. The University of Tasmania adds up to five points for rural school leavers through its Rural Application Process. These change your selection rank for medicine, not your ATAR. See ATAR vs selection rank and equity schemes.
Timeline for a Year 12 applicant
- Early Year 12: register for the UCAT ANZ and check each program's prerequisites.
- Middle of Year 12: sit the UCAT ANZ.
- Around September: apply through your admissions centre and any separate medicine application. For 2027 entry, UAC's medicine deadlines fell between 25 and 30 September 2026.
- November to January: interviews for shortlisted applicants.
- January: most offers.
If your ATAR falls short
- Graduate entry. Complete a bachelor degree and apply for a graduate medicine program, which uses your degree results and usually the GAMSAT instead of the ATAR.
- Related health degrees. Biomedical science, pharmacy, nursing and other health degrees lead to many careers and can also lead to graduate medicine.
- Rural and equity pathways. Check whether you qualify for lower minimums or reserved places.
More routes are in pathways with a lower ATAR.
Medicine ATAR myths
- "A 99.95 guarantees medicine." No. Most programs rank on the UCAT and interview as well.
- "The minimum is the cut-off." The minimum lets you apply. Offers usually go to much higher ATARs.
- "Bonus points raise my ATAR." Rural and equity adjustments change your selection rank for the course, not your ATAR.
FAQ
What ATAR do you need for medicine?
Published minimums for 2027 entry range from 90 to 96, with 99.95 for the University of Sydney's double degree. The ATARs that receive offers are usually much higher, and most programs also need the UCAT ANZ and an interview.
Can you get into medicine with a 90 ATAR?
You can apply to programs with a minimum of 90, such as Monash and Adelaide University, but both say the ATAR needed in practice is typically much higher. Graduate entry is another route.
Which medical schools do not interview?
The University of Tasmania states it does not conduct interviews for its medicine program; it ranks school leavers on ATAR, with the UCAT ANZ used to separate equal ATARs.
Do you need the UCAT for medicine?
For most school-leaver programs, yes. The University of Sydney's double degree medicine program does not use it for 2027 entry.
Is there a lower ATAR for rural students?
Often. For 2027 entry, UNSW's rural minimum was 91.00, Charles Sturt and Western Sydney's 91.50, and 85.00 for rural or remote students in the Newcastle and New England program.