How to become a Doctor in Australia

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What is a Doctor?

What is your first impression when we talk about superheroes? Often, many of us will think of capes and masks or even associate them with superpowers like super strength and enhanced senses like our friendly neighbourhood Spiderman or maybe Doctor Strange with powerful magical skills.

But in the real world, we clearly know that all of these are fictional. If we were to look for superheroes in our daily lives, yes, there’s one – Doctors. Doctors don’t wear capes or masks, but they are the unsung heroes of our society, dedicating their lives to the health and wellbeing of others.

By definition, a doctor is a medical professional who is responsible for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of various illnesses and injuries. They are trained individuals who possess a deep understanding of the human body and its functions. They tend to work day and night to ensure that their patients receive the best care and treatment.

Becoming a doctor is not only a notable career choice, but it is also a calling that requires a lot of things like passion, commitment, and an unwavering desire to help others live a better life through a healthy lifestyle.

In this article, we will explore how to become a doctor in Australia and what it takes to pursue this rewarding career journey. So, keep reading to discover the steps and requirements to embark on this fulfilling journey.

Types of Doctor

With the vast career opportunities in the medical field, here are the top 10 most popular careers upon graduating:

Types of Doctor	Specialisation
General practitioners	One of the most common and well-known of all the different types of doctors. General practitioners can be easily located in a neighbourhood setting, particularly in a clinic where they focus on diagnosing and treating simple diseases or injuries
Allergists	Also known as immunologists. This type of doctor focuses on preventing and treating allergic diseases and conditions such as asthma and skin diseases.
Ophthalmologists	Specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases and disorders. Ophthalmologists also work with patients with complex eye conditions and may also help patients for routine eye care.
Psychiatrists	Skilled in diagnosing and treating mental, emotional, and behavioural health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, etc
Obstetricians and Gynaecologists	Specialised in medical care for the female reproductive system and also offer treatment and care connected to pregnancy, childbirth, and fertility
Neurologists	Have strong knowledge of the human nervous system and am skilled in providing treatment for disorders that affect the neuro system such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and many more
Radiologists	Specialise in diagnosing and treating sickness using medical imaging techniques such as X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, ultrasound, and nuclear medicine
Anesthesiologists	Commonly found in a surgical setting, they administer anaesthesia and sedation for medical procedures
Pediatricians	Focus on primary care that works closely with children, adolescents, and babies, which bear the responsibility to diagnose, treat, and prevent any child-related illnesses and injuries
Cardiologists	Specialise in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders related to the cardiovascular system, which includes finding the causes and symptoms of heart diseases and providing the necessary treatment for it

For more information on the details provided above, do not hesitate to contact us now!

Skills needed to be a Doctor

1. Technical knowledge

As doctors’ goal is to provide medical and care solutions, they must have a strong fundamental understanding of technical knowledge in medical sciences. Doctors need to have a deep understanding of their area of expertise as well as some general medical knowledge, so they can apply this knowledge in their work and provide the best treatment for their patients.

2. Problem-solving

To diagnose a medical condition accurately and recommend the best possible treatment and care, doctors must use their problem-solving skills effectively, by thinking critically, analysing the available information and resources, and making sound decisions to alleviate the patient’s suffering.

3. Professionalism

Maintaining professionalism is an important aspect of a doctor’s job. They must adhere to high ethical standards, respect privacy, maintain confidentiality, and uphold professional codes of conduct. In short, maintaining decorum and demeanour in all ways.

4. Detail Oriented

Medical treatment often comes with precise procedures and dosage calculations. Even minor mistakes in these areas can have huge impacts, so doctors must be meticulous and extra careful to ensure patient health and wellbeing are taken care of at all times.

5. Interpersonal skills

Doctors have to work closely with patients, their families, and other medical professionals. Interpersonal skills such as empathy, effective communication, and the ability to build rapport are all critical aspects of the process of providing care. There’s a time when doctors need to manage the negative emotions of either party and provide viable solutions to their causes.

Are you eligible to be a Doctor?

Following are the general entry requirements to study Medicine:

Academic Entry	Minimum Score
STPM	CGPA 3.33
Matriculation	CGPA 3.33
A-Levels	17
UEC	Aggregate score of 61
IB Diploma	38
Australian Matriculation (ATAR)	96

Note: Universities may have different requirements. To learn more, get in touch with us!

Entry Level	Minimum Score
IELTS	Band 6.5
TOEFL	90
Pearson Test of English	65

Note: Universities may have different English Language requirements. To learn more, get in touch with us!

General Pathway to be a Doctor in Australia

For a Malaysian to explore their career as a Doctor in Australia, below are the few steps that you need to follow in order to perform the Doctor’s duties in Australia.

Step 1: Complete a Bachelor degree programme that is related to Medicine. It is crucial for you to select the right course as it may affect your eligibility to further your study in medicine. Choosing high-level mathematics, chemistry, physics, biology, and English will put you in good stead to study Medicine.

Step 2: Take the necessary test for you to move forward with your plan. Tests such as the Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT), University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT), or Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), which are the common tests used for medicine. Remember to check each requirement for different university entry requirements.

Step 3: After completing the necessary test, you need to complete a medical degree, which usually takes 4 to 6 years to do so. Thereafter, complete 1 year of internship in a hospital or medical setting.

Step 4: Upon completion, you will be awarded with a general medical registration through the Medical Board of Australia. The registration will renew on 30 September each year so be sure to renew it to maintain your licence to practise medicine in Australia.

Step 5: After finishing the needed training as an intern in a medical setting, you can continue on by pursuing add-on training as Resident Medical Officer (RMO) to pave your way as a specialist in the future. The time needed varies depending on the specialisation.

Step 6: Once you have gained a sufficient amount of practise as an intern or RMO, you can choose to obtain a fellowship through specialty medical training programmes and the requirements to complete the programme differ from your chosen specialisation. Talk to us to find out more!

Do take note that the above is just a general guideline of how you can achieve your dream as a Doctor in Australia. Each university may have different requirements, so it’s best to research and check with relevant authorities for more accurate information. You can also contact us for more information.

However, if you plan to contribute yourself to the Malaysian medical profession as a Doctor with an Australian university qualification that is recognised by the Malaysia Medical Council (MMC), you are required to pass a qualifying examination to demonstrate your competency and knowledge of Malaysian medical practices, regulations, and ethics with MMC. This also comes with a set of criteria that you must meet such as postgraduate training and language proficiency in Bahasa Malaysia based on SPM qualification, and not based on IGCSE levels. After completing all the above, you can apply with the MMC and begin practising in Malaysia.

Universities to study Medicine in Australia

1. University of New South Wales (UNSW)

The University of New South Wales (UNSW) is a research-intensive university located in Sydney, Australia. It is well known for its innovative technique of teaching and research across a range of disciplines, including medicine, natural and physical sciences, humanities and law and more. UNSW is ranked 2nd in Australia and 27th in the world for Graduate Employability.

UNSW is a great choice if you are looking to pursue medicine in Australia. Its medical programme accreditation is recognised globally, and it comes with a strong focus on clinical experience and practical skills. The university also provides opportunities for students to engage in various research projects and contribute their ideas to new experiments and discoveries.

Programme Offered	Duration	Intake	Indicative Fees (2023)
Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine	6 Years	February	International Students: AU$485,015
Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine/Arts	8 Years	February	International Students: AU$656,440