What’s happening?
Queensland University of Technology (QUT) has announced a groundbreaking new undergraduate pathway to medicine—the first of its kind in Queensland. The five-year Doctor of Medicine program will welcome its first cohort of 48 students in 2027, offering high school graduates a direct-entry option into medical studies.
Why it matters
The program addresses Queensland’s growing healthcare workforce crisis, especially the shortage of General Practitioners in outer metro and regional areas. It also aims to reduce education-related debt and accelerate entry into the medical profession.
“This program will ensure that Queensland’s talented, aspiring doctors will have the opportunity to train right here in their home state and to serve their communities where they are needed most,” said QUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Margaret Sheil AO.
Local Impact
Redland City students will benefit from the streamlined entry process, with equity-focused pathways designed for those from rural, remote, and lower socio-economic backgrounds. The program also supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants.
“We must continue to strive for a clinical workforce that reflects the diverse communities health practitioners serve,” said QUT Dean of Medicine Professor Jen Williams. “Our medical program will provide opportunities for aspiring doctors who come from, train in, and ultimately choose to practice in the areas and communities that need them the most.”
By the numbers
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50% of doctors registered in Australia in 2022–23 were internationally trained.
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QUT’s Faculty of Health already trains 11,000 students across multiple health disciplines.
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The first intake in 2027 will have 48 students, growing local training capacity.
Zoom In
QUT’s new School of Medicine will offer both a direct-entry and a lateral-entry (third-year) option for graduate students. The program integrates early clinical exposure, interprofessional learning, and flexible part-time study in later years.
Distinguished Professor Patsy Yates, Executive Dean of QUT Faculty of Health, said, “The addition of a medical program to our Faculty will produce health practitioners who learn to work together to more effectively and efficiently deliver health care into the future.”
Zoom Out
Australia faces a nationwide shortage of GPs, and Queensland is no exception. Medical school demand continues to outstrip available places, and with half of practising doctors educated overseas, boosting local training pipelines is critical. QUT’s program will help fill this gap with community-based placements in outer metro and regional centres.
What to Look For Next?
QUT is currently progressing accreditation with the Australian Medical Council. The admissions process, curriculum details, and final structure will be confirmed leading into the 2027 student intake.
