You are here: Home / Future students / Medicine / Other essential information

Other important information for applicants

Commitment to rural medical education

Rural Schools

As part of Sydney Medical School's commitment to rural medical education through the establishment of the School of Rural Health, 25% of the domestic students in Years 3 and 4 of the Medical Program must undertake 50% of their clinical training at the School of Rural Health.
There is usually strong demand to attend the rural clinical school but in the event that there is a shortfall of applicants, some students may be required to attend the School of Rural Health during Year 3 or 4.

The School of Rural Health’s Dubbo and Orange Campuses and their associated teaching facilities provide the setting for this requirement. For more information visit the School of Rural Health website.

Back to top

10-year moratorium

1. Section 19 AB of the Health Insurance Act 1973 (Overseas Trained Doctors) is the Commonwealth Government legislation which imposes a 10-year restriction (moratorium) on access to Medicare benefits for doctors who

  • either trained overseas or
  • are Australian residents who began their medical studies in Australia as overseas full fee-paying students.

2. Such medical practitioners are required to wait 10 years before they can render services which attract Medicare benefits. These doctors are able to take up salaried medical positions for which billing Medicare is not required (e.g. salaried hospital positions). These positions can be anywhere in Australia.

3. The 10-year period commences from the time of initial registration as a medical practitioner in Australia, i.e. the 10-year period includes internship and vocational post-graduation or specialist training.

4. Consequently, in practical terms, the 10-year period is a time when most graduates will, in any case, be working in salaried hospital positions, firstly as an intern and then as a resident and registrar while training for specialist qualifications (usually a period of six to eight years after completion of medical school).

5. It is important to note that there is a “discount” for training or working in a rural or remote part of Australia, e.g. if two years are spent in a rural area, the overall restriction on practice (the “moratorium”) reduces by a similar amount and would become eight years.

Back to top

Personal health

Applicants need to be aware of their personal health status, including that in relation to immunisation and infectious diseases, and the NSW Department of Health guidelines concerning the undertaking of "exposure-prone procedures". Participation in screening and vaccination according to the NSW Health Department Circular Occupational Screening and Vaccination Against Specified Infectious Diseases (PDF) is a prerequisite for students for clinical placement in the facilities of NSW Health. The "Adult Vaccination Record Card" provided to students with their offer of a place is required to be completed and made available to the Health Service prior to the commencement of a clinical placement.

Please note it is the applicant's responsibility to be familiar and adhere to these requirements. The Medical Program is both physically and mentally demanding, thus applicant's personal health is a factor to be considered when deciding to accept a place in the program.

Back to top

Special consideration

In the interest of equity and fairness to all applicants, those applicants who do not meet the Medical School’s admission criteria, including the required Grade Point Average (GPA) and GAMSAT results, will not be considered for admission to the Medical Program. The GPA and GAMSAT results requirements shall apply, regardless of circumstances such as illness, misadventure or disadvantage during the bachelor’s degree or test.

Students who are seeking special consideration should note that the other graduate-entry medical schools do not have identical admission requirements to those of the University of Sydney.

More information on the admission requirements of other graduate-entry medical schools can be found in the Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Guide, available from the GAMSAT website.

Back to top

First Aid Certificate

Successful applicants must provide evidence that they hold a current approved Senior First Aid certificate at enrolment. The following organisations conduct First Aid Training courses that are accepted by Sydney Medical School:

  • Australian Red Cross Society
  • Medilife
  • New South Wales State Emergency Service
  • Royal Life Saving Society Australia
  • Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
  • St. John Ambulance Australia
  • University of Western Sydney.

International students may provide First Aid certificates which are recognized by their own governments.

Back to top

Criminal Record Checks

The NSW Department of Health has a policy that requires all medical students to be subject to a criminal record check. Students are required to complete a Student Undertaking declaration form at enrolment. Students are then required to obtain (and pay the relevant fee) a National Police Certificate either through a state or territory police service or the Australian Federal Police.
Medical students are also required to provide any NSW Health Facility in which they are placed with a signed Commission for Children and Young People Student Declaration form and a signed form stating that they have read and understood the NSW Health Code of Conduct.

For further information, please visit the NSW Department of Health website

New IELTS Requirements by AHPRA

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) has recently announced that graduates in all health disciplines will be required to demonstrate English language skills at IELTS level 7 or equivalent. Please note that this standard applies to all applicants for initial registration as a medical practitioner or medical specialist. It does not apply to students.

For details, please visit the websites at

Forged documents

Applicants should be aware that the presentation of forged documents in connection with admission to the Medical Program is a criminal offence and the University may take appropriate action against such cases, or other admissions irregularities, including the withholding of relevant information. Action may include cancellation of an application for admission, an offer of admission, or enrolment.

Back to top