The Ultimate Guide to the GEMSAS 2026 Applications: Everything you need to know
If you'd rather watch than read, I've made a full YouTube video walking through the 2026 GEMSAS cycle.
Note: this post only covers the GEMSAS universities. I'll cover the non-GEMSAS universities in a separate post.
Applications for 2027 entry are open and close at 5pm AEST on 29 May 2026.
This guide pulls the key information out of the 2026 GEMSAS Medicine Admissions Guide for all ten GEMSAS schools: how many places there are, how GPA is calculated, how offers are decided and which bonuses are available. That way you can make a properly informed decision about where to apply.
Note: all quotas are indicative and may change. Always double-check on the GEMSAS website before you submit.
1. Places available in 2027
The table below shows how many places each school has by place type. First, though, it's worth understanding CSP, BMP and full-fee places. When you apply through GEMSAS you choose which types of place you want to be considered for. You can pick one, two or all three.
CSP stands for Commonwealth Supported Place. The government pays roughly 80% of your degree and you pay roughly 20%, which you can put on a HECS-HELP loan. You have to be an Australian or New Zealand citizen to be eligible. The government decides how many CSPs each university gets each year. Macquarie, for example, is a new medical school and has no CSPs.
BMP stands for Bonded Medical Place. Like a CSP, the government covers most of your degree, but in return you agree to work in a regional or rural area for a set number of years after you graduate. The number of years and the locations change each year, so check before you apply. BMPs were set up because rural and remote areas need more doctors. You don't have to be from a rural area to apply for one.
Full-fee places are what they sound like. You get no government support and pay for the whole degree. You can still use HECS-HELP, but the fees are often more than the loan limit, so most students have to pay part of it upfront.
So how does GEMSAS decide who gets a CSP, BMP or full-fee place?
After interviews, each university ranks applicants on their GPA, GAMSAT, interview and any bonuses (more on these below). They then work down the list, giving CSPs and BMPs to the highest-ranked applicants and full-fee places to the rest (if the university has them). The catch is that not everyone applies for every type of place.
For example, say University X has 30 CSPs and 20 full-fee places.
- Applicant A only applies for a CSP and ranks 32nd.
- Applicant B applies for a CSP and a full-fee place and ranks 34th.
Applicant A ranked 32nd and there are only 30 CSPs, so they don't get an offer. Applicant B ranked lower but applied for a full-fee place too, so they get an offer, just for a full-fee place.
How does this affect my application?
If you only apply for CSPs or BMPs, it's harder to get an offer. Of course, full-fee places are very expensive and not everyone can afford one. And if you apply for a BMP you need to be happy to work rurally, which might not suit your other commitments. In the end you have to decide what you can afford and whether you could move rural after you graduate.
Here's how many places each university has:
| University | CSP | BMP | Full-fee domestic | International |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANU | 63* | 26* | None | Up to 30* |
| Deakin | 100 | 45 | None | 15 |
| Griffith | 148 | 60 | None | Up to 35 |
| Macquarie | None | None | 60 | 20 |
| University of Melbourne | 179* | 71* | Up to 105* | Included in full-fee |
| Notre Dame Fremantle (incl. KCRMT Broome) | 80 | 32 | None | Up to 15 |
| Notre Dame Sydney | 40 | 17 | Up to 57 | Up to 35 |
| UQ | 107 | 43 | None | 190 (incl. UQ-Ochsner) |
| UWA | About 74** | About 29** | None | About 40 |
| UOW | 67*** | 27 | None | 15 |
* ANU: about 40 of all places are reserved for students from ANU's undergraduate pathway programs.
\\ UWA lists up to 103 domestic places in total (28.5% BMP), plus about 40 international places.
\\* UOW's CSPs are 37 standard places plus 30 rural end-to-end places.
2. How GPA is calculated
GPA is one of the most important parts of your application. Universities differ in how they weight each year of study and which degrees they count. GEMSAS has a great GPA calculator and I'd encourage you to use it. If you have an overseas degree or did an exchange, read the guide closely to see how those subjects are treated.
GEMSAS uses your last three full-time equivalent years of study. So if you did a three-year bachelor's and then a two-year Masters, they'll use the final year of your bachelor's plus both years of your Masters. Applicants with a low GPA often ask me whether they should do more study. Generally yes, but pick a degree you know you can get HDs in. The worst thing you can do is underperform and pull your GPA down further.
Here's how each university compares:
| University | Weighting | Years used | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANU | Weighted (x1, x2, x3) | Most recent 3 FTE years | Minimum GPA of 5.0 to be considered for interview. Final year x3, the year before x2, the year before that x1. |
| Deakin | Weighted (x1, x2, x3) | Most recent 3 FTE years | Final year x3, the year before x2, the year before that x1. 2020 results excluded. Minimum GPA 5.0. |
| Griffith | Unweighted | Most recent 3 FTE years | Minimum GPA 5.0. Ungraded passes of up to 0.5 FTE are ignored. Completed PhDs count as 7.0. |
| Macquarie | Weighted (x1, x2, x3) | Most recent 3 FTE years | Final year x3, the year before x2, the year before that x1. Also accepts a WAM of 65 or above. Minimum GPA 5.0. |
| University of Melbourne | Weighted (x1, x2, x2) | Most recent 3 years of undergrad | Oldest year x1, then x2 and x2. Minimum GPA 5.0. Note the unusual weighting: final year is x2, not x3. |
| Notre Dame Fremantle | Weighted (x1, x2, x3) | Most recent 3 FTE years | Final year x3, the year before x2, the year before that x1. Minimum GPA 5.2. Masters by Research and PhDs aren't counted in your GPA but earn bonus points instead. |
| Notre Dame Sydney | Weighted (x1, x2, x3) | Most recent 3 FTE years | Same as Fremantle. Minimum GPA 5.2. |
| UQ | Not weighted by year (weighted by credit value) | Whole degree | Every subject in your key degree counts, whatever year you took it. Each subject is weighted by its credit value, not by how recent it is. Minimum GPA 5.0. |
| UWA | Unweighted | Most recent 3 FTE years | A simple average of 3 years. Minimum GPA 5.5. Completed PhDs or a UWA Doctor of Dental Medicine count as 7.0. A Masters by Research adds a 0.2 bonus. |
| UOW | Weighted (x1, x2, x3) | Most recent 3 FTE years | GPA is only a hurdle (minimum 5.5) and isn't used for ranking once you've cleared it. |
The main things to take from this: Melbourne weights your final year x2 rather than x3 like most other schools, so a strong final year helps you a little less there. UQ is the only school that uses your whole degree, which works against you if you had a slow start. UOW is the only school that uses GPA purely as a pass or fail hurdle and not for ranking.
Here's an example.
Student A did a three-year Bachelor of Science. They had a rocky start getting used to uni and didn't score highly, but improved in their later years.
- First year GPA: 5.5
- Second year GPA: 6.5
- Third year GPA: 7
At a university that weights GPA, their overall GPA would be:
- ((5.5 x 1) + (6.5 x 2) + (7 x 3)) / 6
- = 6.58
At a university that doesn't weight GPA, it would be:
- (5.5 + 6.5 + 7) / 3
- = 6.33
That's a difference of 0.25. It might not sound like much, but when thousands of applicants all have strong GPAs, 0.25 can make a real difference. Work out your own GPA with the GEMSAS calculator so you can make an informed decision.
A word of warning: most universities have a minimum GPA of around 5, but a 5 won't be competitive anywhere. You really need to be above about 6.6 to start being competitive. If you're below that, have a look at my post on your options.
3. How offers are decided
Knowing how each school weights your GAMSAT, GPA, interview and other factors helps you work out where you're most competitive.
Who gets an interview
| University | Interview selection |
|---|---|
| ANU | 50% standardised GPA + 50% standardised GAMSAT |
| Deakin (General Stream) | Equal weighting of GPA, GAMSAT and any adjustments |
| Deakin (RTS Tier 1) | GPA and adjustments (50%) + written application (50%) |
| Deakin (RTS Tiers 2 and 3) | GPA, GAMSAT and adjustments (50%) + written application (50%) |
| Griffith | 50% unweighted GPA (as a percentage) + 50% overall GAMSAT |
| Macquarie | 50% weighted GPA + 50% GAMSAT |
| University of Melbourne | 50% GPA + 50% GAMSAT (all GAMSAT sections weighted equally) |
| Notre Dame Fremantle | 30% GAMSAT + 30% GPA + 30% CASPer + 10% bonus points |
| Notre Dame Sydney | 30% GAMSAT + 30% GPA + 30% CASPer + 10% bonus points |
| UQ | 50% unweighted average GAMSAT + 50% GPA (as a percentage) |
| UWA | 40% GAMSAT + 60% GPA |
| UOW | GPA is a hurdle (5.5 or above), then ranking is 50% CASPer + 50% UOW bonuses |
As you can see, some universities add bonuses and adjustments, so read the guide carefully to see whether you qualify for any. If you're a few years away from applying, think about putting yourself in a position to earn some. For example, Deakin gives a 4% bonus for working in healthcare (AHPRA registration required) and a 2% bonus for previous full-time work in any field. In that case, working full time for a few years might help you more than further study. Deakin also gives bonuses for postgrad study done at Deakin, so if you're planning another degree anyway, doing it there could earn you more than doing it elsewhere.
Who gets an offer after interview
Once you've got an interview, this is how each university decides who gets an offer:
| University | Offer ranking |
|---|---|
| ANU | 50% interview + 50% combined GPA and GAMSAT score |
| Deakin (General Stream) | 50% (GPA, GAMSAT and adjustments) + 50% MMI |
| Deakin (RTS Tier 1) | GPA and adjustments (25%) + written application (25%) + MMI (50%) |
| Deakin (RTS Tiers 2 and 3) | GPA, GAMSAT and adjustments (25%) + written application (25%) + MMI (50%) |
| Griffith | 50% interview selection rank (50/50 GPA and GAMSAT) + 50% interview score |
| Macquarie | 50% weighted GPA + 50% MMI |
| University of Melbourne | 25% GAMSAT + 25% GPA + 50% interview |
| Notre Dame Fremantle | 50% (GAMSAT, GPA, CASPer and bonuses) + 50% interview |
| Notre Dame Sydney | 50% (GAMSAT, GPA, CASPer and bonuses) + 50% interview |
| UQ | Merit ranking based on interview performance within each pathway |
| UWA (Standard) | 30% GPA + 20% GAMSAT + 50% interview |
| UWA (Rural) | 22.5% GPA + 15% GAMSAT + 37.5% interview + 25% Rural Rating |
| UOW | Based on the MMI score (GPA is only a hurdle) |
The interview carries a lot of weight everywhere, usually 50% of your final score. At UOW, once you've cleared the GPA and GAMSAT hurdles, the interview is effectively the whole ranking. Macquarie stops counting your GAMSAT altogether once you reach interview. Notre Dame (both campuses) and UOW also need a CASPer score.
What this means is that interview prep matters just as much as the GAMSAT, if not more. It always amazes me how many people put their lives on hold for years to prepare for the GAMSAT and then barely practise for the interview. I get it. The gap between interview offers and the interviews themselves is short, and by then you're exhausted and burnt out. But I can't stress enough how much the interview counts. I know people who are now doctors who only just scraped into an interview on their GPA and GAMSAT and still ended up with a CSP. Don't skimp on interview prep. Email me at hello@gamsattutorials.org for general interview advice.
4. Bonuses at each university
Bonuses can give your application a real edge. Here they are by university.
ANU
- Standalone Honours: 2% added to your combined GPA and GAMSAT score
- Masters by Research: 2%
- PhD: 4%
- Rural background (MM2 to MM7): 29% of domestic places are reserved, with a rural sub-quota
- Indigenous applicants: reserved places (uncapped). You can apply directly or through GEMSAS.
Deakin
- Relevant clinical experience (AHPRA-registered health professional, at least 1 year FTE): 4%
- Work experience (at least 2 years full time, or 3,744 hours over 4 years): 2%
- Study at Deakin: 4%
- Living in Geelong (MM1) or an MM2 area: 4%
- Living in an MM3 to MM7 area: 8%
- Financial disadvantage (receiving approved Centrelink or government payments for at least 12 months): 2%
- Note that you can't combine the clinical experience and work experience bonuses.
Griffith
- Rural background (MM2 to MM7): priority access quota through the Rural Priority Access Scheme (GURPAS)
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants: the First Peoples Health Pathway. No GAMSAT needed, a panel interview with First Peoples representatives, and a $20,000 scholarship available.
- No published percentage bonuses for research degrees or work experience
Macquarie
Macquarie adds a 3% bonus to your weighted GPA if you are:
- an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicant
- a rural applicant (MM2 to MM7)
- a graduate of Macquarie's Bachelor of Clinical Science
If you fit more than one group, the most you can get is 5%.
University of Melbourne
- Graduate Access Melbourne (GAM): re-ranking for applicants who faced ongoing disadvantage during their undergrad degree (refugee or humanitarian visa, socioeconomic disadvantage, disability or chronic illness, or personal hardship)
- Rural background: priority access to at least 30% of CSPs, plus 32 places through the MD Rural Pathway (no GAMSAT needed if you only apply for the Rural Pathway)
- Guaranteed Entry Pathway: for current UoM undergrads with an ATAR of 99.90 or above (Chancellor's Scholars) or 99.00 or above (full-fee). No GAMSAT needed.
- Indigenous Pathway: priority access. No GAMSAT needed, but you need a minimum GPA of 5.0 and to pass the MMI.
- PhD re-ranking: a small number of applicants with a strong PhD in a related field may be ranked higher (strict quotas apply)
Notre Dame Fremantle
Bonus points (these make up the 10% bonus part of the interview ranking):
- Rural background (MM2 to MM7): bonus points
- Living in WA (10 or more years in total): bonus points
- Masters by Research or PhD (finished by 31 July 2026): bonus points
- Indigenous applicants: you can apply directly through the Indigenous pathway. From 2026, CSPs for Indigenous students are uncapped.
- Priority Entry Pathway: reserved places for Notre Dame Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences graduates
- Facilitated Interview Pathways (FIP): for UNDA graduates, UNDA Graduate Diploma of Health and Medical Sciences graduates and UNDA Pre-Medicine Certificate graduates
Notre Dame Sydney
Bonus points (these make up the 10% bonus part):
- Rural background (MM2 to MM7): bonus points
- Masters by Research or PhD (finished by 31 July 2026): bonus points
- Indigenous applicants: from 2026, CSPs for First Nations students are uncapped, and there's a direct Indigenous pathway
- Priority Entry Pathway: reserved places for Notre Dame Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences graduates
- Facilitated Interview Pathways (FIP): for UNDA graduates, UNDA Graduate Diploma of Health and Medical Sciences graduates and ACU Bachelor of Biomedical Science graduates
UQ
- Rural background (MM2 to MM7): 28.5% of places are reserved, and two GAMSAT score adjustments help rural applicants compete for non-bonded places
- Central Queensland and Wide Bay Regional Medical Pathway (CQ-WB RMP): a tiered pathway for applicants from that region. Tier 1 is for local residents (5 years in a row or 10 years in total).
- Darling Downs and South West Medical Pathway (DD-SW MP): the same tiered setup for people from that region
- Indigenous applicants: the GAMSAT isn't compulsory, and you can apply directly through UQ's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit
UWA
- Rural applicants: 30% of domestic places are reserved. Rural Pathway applicants get a Rural Rating worth 25% of their final offer score.
- Masters by Research (finished by 31 July): 0.2 added to your GPA
- Completed PhD or UWA Doctor of Dental Medicine: your GPA counts as 7.0
- Indigenous applicants: up to 10% of domestic places are reserved, with other pathways through the Centre for Aboriginal Medical and Dental Health (Boola Boola Djinda)
- Note that UWA has no 10-year limit on how old your degree can be, so older degrees are fine.
UOW
- Rural Entry Pathway: a guaranteed interview for NSW rural applicants who put UOW first and meet the minimum requirements. A rurality adjustment is applied automatically:
- MM2 (regional): smallest adjustment
- MM3 to MM5 (rural): middle adjustment
- MM6 and MM7 (remote): largest adjustment
- GSM Admissions Bonus Form: a separate bonus form. They look at things like interest in general practice or rural generalism, lived experience in underserved communities, financial disadvantage and First Nations identity (especially for the Health Access Stream).
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants: a dedicated direct pathway
- Note that all domestic applicants need CASPer, and the last test date they accept is 11 June 2026.
Summary: choosing your preferences
A few practical tips for ordering your preferences:
- Strong GAMSAT but a modest GPA: USYD is your friend.
- Strong GPA but a modest GAMSAT: UWA weights GPA at 60% for interview selection. Just note UWA also has a higher GAMSAT minimum of 55 overall.
- You have a research degree (Masters by Research or PhD): ANU (2 to 4% bonus), Notre Dame (both campuses) and UWA (0.2 added to GPA) all reward it. Melbourne may also re-rank PhD applicants.
- You're from a rural background: UOW is the most rural-friendly school for NSW applicants, with most of its places reserved for rural students and a guaranteed interview if you're eligible.
- You need CASPer: only Notre Dame (Fremantle and Sydney) and UOW need it. Book early, because the last accepted sitting for this cycle is 11 June 2026.
- You're open to full-fee places: Macquarie only offers full-fee places, and Melbourne (up to 105) and Notre Dame Sydney (up to 57) also have a good number.
Applying through GEMSAS is confusing, so if you have any questions, email me at hello@gamsattutorials.org and we can book in a time to chat. I'll get back to you and do my best to help you make sense of the process and where you stand.
Applying to medicine?
