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Guide to Australian Medical School Fees for Students from Singapore (SMC-Approved)
Australia has always been a popular study destination for students in Singapore seeking to start a new chapter in their academic journey, thanks to its convenient location and high admission rates. If you're wondering how much medical school costs in Australia, we've compiled a comprehensive guide to everything you need to know, from tuition fees to living expenses, for Australian medical schools recognised by the Singapore Medical Council (SMC).
An Overview of Australian Medical School FeesÂ
It’s no secret that the cost of attending a university is often higher for international students than for domestic students. As a result, cost becomes an important consideration when deciding on your list of university options abroad. In reality, you’ll have to account for two costs: your actual tuition fees and living expenses.
Unlike the fees at other universities, which tend to provide a concrete number, Australian university fees can be mutable. For example, at the University of Sydney, courses with lower credit points than the full-time 48 will have lower fees. Similarly, at the University of Melbourne, fees are calculated based on how many subjects you take per year. Given that this differs case-by-case, it’s always best to cover all your bases by checking the fee structure for your specific course!Â
In doing so, you’ll realise that Australian universities use the term indicative fee, which refers to the approximate average cost of a first-year student studying full-time. Essentially, this allows the university to review their fees annually, and make changes where necessary. In the event that this happens, you’ll receive communications from the university directly, so make sure to keep an eye out for the invoices!Â
On the other hand, like many other places in the world, costs can differ between Australian universities due to the influence of several factors:Â
- The university's ranking: Universities with high rankings, such as those in QS assessments, may have higher fees. This reflects the quality and reputation of these well-regarded institutions.
- Location of the university: Universities in major urban centres often have higher fees. For example, the University of Melbourne's Bachelor of Medicine program is estimated at AUD 57,584 (~ SGD 48,760), while the University of Western Australia's Bachelor of Biomedicine (Specialised) in Perth costs around AUD 48,700 (~ SGD 41,237).
- The length of the program: Australia offers four main medical certifications, namely the MD (Doctor of Medicine), MChD (Doctor of Medicine and Surgery), MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) or the MBChB. Typically, a medical degree will take five to six years to complete, whereas the graduate-entry or accelerated pathways will take you about four years. Naturally, these variations in duration will result in differing fees, depending on the path you choose!
Singapore Medical Council-Approved Australian Medical Schools and Tuition Fees
If you’re considering medical schools in Australia, but want to keep your options open to practise in Singapore, it is compulsory to hold a degree that is recognised by the Singapore Medical Council. With new additions for 2025, let’s delve into the nine medical schools in Australia that have earned a spot on the list!
Australian National University, ANU Medical School
- Tuition Fees: AUD 53,700.00 (~ SGD 45,994) per year, indicative fee.
- Program Length: 3 years, with a direct pathway into the 4-year Doctor of Medicine and Surgery (MChD)
- Further information can be found on the official course page.
Monash University, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
- Tuition Fees: AUD 97,700 (~ SGD 83,680) per year, indicative fee.
- Program Length: 5 years (2 years taught on campus, and 3 years on clinical placement)
- Further information can be found on the official course page.
The University of Adelaide, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
- Tuition Fees: AUD 94,300 (~ SGD 80,767) per year, indicative fee.
- Program Length: 6 years (3 years for the Bachelor of Medical Studies, followed by 3 years for the Doctor of Medicine)
- Further information can be found on the official course page.
The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Medical School
- Tuition Fees: AUD 101,952 (~ SGD 87,321) per year, indicative fee.
- Program Length: This is a 4 year graduate-entry program, which can be undertaken following your successful completion of an undergraduate degree.
- Further information can be found on the official course page.
The University of Queensland, School of Medicine
- Tuition Fees: AU 96,400 (~ SGD 82,566) per year, indicative fee.
- Program Length: This is a 4 year graduate-entry program, which can be undertaken following your successful completion of an undergraduate degree.
- Further information can be found on the official course page.
University of Sydney, Sydney Medical School
- Tuition Fees: AUD 57,700 (~ SGD 49,566) per year, for the undergraduate degree pathway into an MD. Fees for the graduate entry program sit at AUD 93,500 (~ SGD 80,318).
- Program Length: 4 years (graduate entry, MD) or 7 years (double degree, BA and MD)
- Further information can be found on the official course page.
The University of Western Australia, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
- Tuition Fees: AUD 48,700 (~SGD 41,711) per year for the undergraduate degree, and AUD 90,900 (~ SGD 77,574) per year for the postgraduate degree.
- Program Length: 7 years (3 years for the Bachelor of Biomedicine (Specialised) with the Integrated Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice degree, 4 years for the Doctor of Medicine)
- Further information can be found on the official course page.
University of New South Wales, Faculty of Medicine and Health
- Tuition Fees: AUD 84,000 (~ SGD 71,945) per year, indicative fee.
- Program Length: 6 years, for the combined Bachelor of Medical Studies (BMed) and the Doctor of Medicine (MD).
- Further information can be found on the official course page.
University of Newcastle, School of Medicine and Public Health
- Tuition Fees: AUD 87,448 (~ SGD 74,899) per year, indicative fee.
- Program Length: 5 years, for the Bachelor of Medical Science in years 1 to 3, and a Doctor of Medicine in years 4 and 5.
- Further information can be found on the official course page.
Living Expenses in Australia
In addition to tuition, you'll need to factor in living expenses such as transport, accommodation, food, and personal costs. These vary by location, with major urban centres like Melbourne and Sydney generally being more expensive than cities like Adelaide or Brisbane.
To estimate your cost of living, the University of Melbourne offers a cost of living calculator that lets you adjust factors like dining out and accommodation type, giving you a personalised breakdown. Alternatively, each university has a specialised page which provides upper and lower cost estimates for international students, which you can also visit.
To help you along, we’ve put together some monthly averages for the cost of living as an international student in Australia.
Estimated living costs across different Australian cities
| Name of University, City | Accommodation (Managed apartment, city) | Food | Transport | Personal costs (including shopping) and entertainment | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Melbourne, Melbourne | AUD 1,552 (~ SGD 1,325) | AUD 780 (~ SGD 666) | AUD 212 (~ SGD 181) | AUD 324 (~ SGD 277) | AUD 2,868 (~ SGD 2,449) |
| University of New South Wales, Sydney | AUD 1,620 (~ SGD 1,383) | AUD 780 (~ SGD 666) | AUD 252 (~ SGD 215) | AUD 326 (~ SGD 278) | AUD 2,978 (~ SGD 2,542) |
| Australian National University, Canberra | AUD 888 (~ SGD 758) | AUD 650 (~ SGD 555) | AUD 180 (~ SGD 154) | AUD 321 (~ SGD 274) | AUD 2,039 (~ SGD 1,741) |
| The University of Adelaide, Adelaide | AUD 1,040 (~ SGD 888) | AUD 650 (~ SGD 555) | AUD 180 (~ SGD 154) | AUD 308 (~ SGD 263) | AUD 2,178 (~ SGD 1860) |
| The University of Queensland, Brisbane | AUD 1,200 (~ SGD 1,025) | AUD 700 (~ SGD 598) | AUD 212 (~ SGD 181) | AUD 344 (~ SGD 294) | AUD 2,456 (~ SGD 2,097) |
| The University of Western Australia, Perth | AUD 1,020 (~ SGD 871) | AUD 700 (~ SGD 598) | AUD 200 (~ SGD 171) | AUD 329 (~ SGD 281) | AUD 2,249 (~ SGD 1,920) |
*Please note that the costs mentioned are based on the current exchange rate at the time of writing and may change over time.
Total Estimated Cost of Studying Medicine in AustraliaÂ
Now that we’ve got all of the information related to the cost you’re likely to be spending to study medicine in Australia, here are some of the average totals you’ll be looking at over the course of your degree!
Estimated Cost of Studying Medicine and Living Expenses
| Name of University | Tuition Fees (for all 5-6 years, using the indicative fee, in SGD) | Cost of Living (for 5-6 years, in SGD – assuming 9 months of the year) | Total Cost (in SGD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Melbourne, Melbourne | $349,284* (4-year program) | $88,164 | $437,448 |
| University of New South Wales, Sydney | $431,670 | $137,268 | $568,938 |
| Australian National University, Canberra | $321,958* (7-year program) | $109,683 | $431,641 |
| The University of Adelaide, Adelaide | $484,602 | $100,440 | $585,042 |
| The University of Queensland, Brisbane | $330,264* (4-year program) | $75,492 | $405,756 |
| The University of Western Australia, Perth | $435,429* (7-year program) | $120,960 | $556,389 |
*Please note that the costs mentioned are based on the current exchange rate at the time of writing and may change over time.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
There are several funding options available to support the next generation of doctors, offered by government organisations, private institutions, and universities themselves. Below, we have listed some of these options.
Grants and Financial Aid from Singapore:
MOH Pre-Employment Grant: A merit-based scheme which functions to encourage Singaporean medical students studying abroad to return and practise locally. You can apply for this grant if you’re studying at one of the schools recognised by the SMC, midway through your course. The grant covers up to 60% of the remaining years of tuition fees, capped at S$50,000 per year, up to a maximum sum of S$150,000.
The Lee Foundation Overseas Medical Bursary Educational Fund: Administered by MOHH on behalf of the Lee Foundation, this merit-based, bond-free bursary helps Singaporeans studying medicine abroad at universities recognised by the Singapore Medical Council (SMC). Successful recipients will receive S$30,000 in the year of award, if successful. Be sure to check the eligibility criteria, including household income and year of study.
ScholarshipsÂ
Once enrolled in a university, you’ll have the opportunity to access a range of merit and need-based scholarships. Typically, these will vary from university to university, so it’s always best to check the specific requirements listed by each institution. Broadly, here are some scholarships available to international students:Â
JW Dunhill Biomedicine Scholarship: Run by the Queen’s College, a residential college affiliated with the University of Melbourne, this scholarship covers up to 15% of tuition fees.Â
Califole Melbourne Medical School Scholarship: Offered to students enrolled in the University of Melbourne’s Doctor of Medicine course, this scholarship provides a living allowance of AUD 15,000 (~ SGD 12,701) per year for the 4-year duration of the degree.Â
Biomedicine Discovery Scholarship: If you plan to enroll in the Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Scholar Program) course at Monash University, you’ll be eligible for up to AUD 9,000 (~ SGD 7,620) in fee coverage.Â
Faculty of Medicine and Health Course Material Scholarship: The University of Sydney offers up to AUD 500 (~ SGD 423) to its students enrolled in the medical school, whose courses might require specialised course materials or uniforms.Â
Government ProgramsÂ
With its high population of international students and diverse populace, the Australian government allocated approximately AUD 270 million to fund scholarship programs in tertiary institutions throughout 2023 and 2024.Â
Research Training Program: Aimed at students enrolled in its eligible higher institutions undertaking postgraduate degrees, the Australian government provides funding to offset possible financial burdens faced by its students. This could include a tuition fee offset, or a stipend for general living costs.Â
Endeavour Postgraduate Scholarship: Aimed at students pursuing a postgraduate degree in an Australian university, this scholarship provides up to AUD 15,000 (~ SGD 12,701) in tuition coverage, per semester.
Additional Considerations
When studying abroad in Australia, there are several opportunities to support your education and career goals both during and after your studies.
Work Opportunities: If possible, another way to offset your costs is by working part-time during the course of your studies. The international student visa allows you to work up to 48 hours every two weeks while studying, and even allows you unlimited hours during study breaks! An easy way to seek out job opportunities is through the careers centre at your institution, or even at your accommodation building, if it’s run by a university or a third-party organisation. Alternatively, you can tap into your network via job boards such as LinkedIn, or Grad Australia.
Post-Graduate Work Rights: After graduating, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate Visa, which will allow you to stay in Australia for up to three years. Or, if you do land a job, you might find an employer who is willing to sponsor you for a new visa! Alternatively, you can also check if your course and skill set allow you to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect, which allows you a visa and the potential to be an Australian citizen.
In any case, attending an SMC-recognised school also gives you the option to return to Singapore to practise, helping you build work experience that can support your career in Singapore’s medical field.
We hope this overview of Australia’s medical school fees and cost factors has given you a better understanding of what to expect. We understand that getting into medical school can be a competitive and challenging process, so having a clear plan is essential. Crimson Education can help enhance your chances of success by providing support with tutoring, interview preparation, and guidance on building a strong extracurricular profile. If you think this could be useful, feel free to reach out for a free consultation!
*Please note that the costs mentioned throughout this blog are based on the current exchange rate at the time of writing, and both the costs and exchange rate may change over time. For the most up-to-date information, please check the official websites.