Full Fee Paying Places in New Medical Program Causes Outrage

The University of Melbourne’s decision to offer full-fee domestic places in its Doctor of Medicine (MD) program continues to spark debate years after it first launched. Critics say the move risks turning medical education into a privilege only the wealthy can afford, while supporters argue it helps expand training capacity in a system stretched by workforce shortages.

The initial outrage was led by the Australian Medical Students’ Association (AMSA), which argued that domestic full-fee places undermine equity in higher education—a principle that has long guided Australian university admissions policy.

What’s the Issue?

Traditionally, medical education in Australia has been funded through Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs), ensuring that students who meet the academic requirements have access to subsidised study, regardless of their financial background. However, in its transition to a graduate-entry MD model, the University of Melbourne made 60 domestic places available on a full-fee-paying basis.

Critics argue this effectively sidesteps the federal ban on full-fee-paying undergraduate places by moving medical education to postgraduate level. The concern? That medicine could become increasingly elitist, with students from low socioeconomic backgrounds priced out of the profession.

Equity of Access: Why It Still Matters in 2025

Equity remains a cornerstone of Australian higher education policy. The 2023 Universities Accord Final Report reaffirmed the need to improve participation rates among students from low-SES, Indigenous, and regional backgrounds. Offering domestic full-fee medical places, some argue, directly contradicts these goals.

As AMSA’s past president Ross Roberts-Thomson said during the initial rollout: “If you’re good enough to get in, it shouldn’t matter whether you’re rich or poor. Access to medicine should be based on merit, not money.”

The Bradley Review and subsequent policy updates have echoed this sentiment, calling for more inclusive pathways into higher education, particularly in high-demand professions like healthcare.

Arguments For and Against Full-Fee Medical Places

Concerns Raised by Critics

• Equity: Disadvantages students from low-income backgrounds who cannot afford six-figure tuition fees.
• Precedent: Opens the door for more universities to follow, potentially eroding the CSP model.
• Social impact: Reduces the diversity of the medical workforce, which affects healthcare equity, especially in rural and underserved communities.

Arguments in Favour

• Capacity expansion: Helps meet growing demand for medical graduates without relying entirely on public funding.
• Choice: Gives well-resourced students more options if they narrowly miss out on a CSP.
• Revenue generation: Additional funding can support research, facilities, and scholarships.

Medical Education Pathways in Australia

Australia offers multiple pathways into medical school, including undergraduate programs and postgraduate MD degrees. All applicants must meet stringent academic and admissions criteria (e.g., GAMSAT/UCAT, interviews, and prior qualifications).

For those seeking affordable pathways, many universities offer CSPs and HELP loans to cover tuition. Additionally, some programs offer pre-med or allied health courses as stepping stones to medicine or related careers.

Interested in a Health or Medical Career?

If you’re passionate about healthcare but concerned about the costs or competitiveness of medical school, consider alternative pathways. You can build experience in:

• Nursing and midwifery
• Paramedical science
• Health science and public health
• Mental health and psychology

These roles are in high demand, nationally recognised, and play a critical role in Australia’s healthcare system.