Macquarie vs Wollongong

Macquarie uses GAMSAT. Wollongong uses GAMSAT. Both schools share the same test stack — your single sitting can support both applications. GAMSAT is graduate-only and sat in March/September; UCAT-ANZ is undergraduate-leaning and sat in July; some schools (notably Bond and JCU) run their own selection model with no national test.

Macquarie — Minimum 50 overall, 50 in each section. Used at 50% weight (alongside 50% GPA) for interview shortlist. 2024 intake average successful GAMSAT ~66. Wollongong — Minimum 50 overall, no section below 50. From 2027 entry, GAMSAT becomes a pure qualifying hurdle — not used to rank after threshold met. GAMSAT results are valid for four years with ACER, but some graduate MD programs accept only the most recent two cycles — verify before relying on an older sitting.

Macquarie — Minimum 5.0/7.0 (or WAM 65). 2024 intake average successful GPA ~6.7/7.0. Wollongong — Minimum 5.5/7.0 at time of interview selection. GPA functions as a hurdle only — not used in offer ranking. Many AU graduate MD programs treat the GPA as a hurdle (above the floor, all candidates are weighted equally on GAMSAT and interview) rather than as a sliding-scale rank — confirm each school's specific model.

Macquarie uses: Multi-Mini Interview (~8 stations). Wollongong uses: Multi-Mini Interview (~8 stations). The format is the same, so the same prep approach applies — practise reflective MMI-style answers on Medicare structure, AHPRA professionalism, ACCHO and rural-health context, and Indigenous health priorities. Interview windows: September-October (Macquarie); August-September (Wollongong).

Macquarie — Full-fee only — no Commonwealth Supported Places. 2027: 60 full-fee domestic + ~20 international. Up to 30 interview places reserved for Macquarie Bachelor of Clinical Science graduates. Wollongong — 2027 cycle: 37 Unbonded CSP + 30 CSP Rural End-to-End + 27 BMP + 15 International = ~109 total. CSP (Commonwealth Supported Place) is the lowest student contribution; BMP (Bonded Medical Program) adds a 1-year return-of-service obligation in a Modified Monash Model 2-7 area after Fellowship; Full-fee places carry no bond but the highest tuition.

Macquarie — Macquarie offers an Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander pathway; quota not specified. Wollongong — UOW Indigenous Health pathway via the Health Access Stream and a guaranteed-interview process for eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants. Both schools accept ATSI applicants through the standard pathway as well; the dedicated pathway typically offers adjusted academic thresholds plus wrap-around academic support.

Macquarie — bonded/rural data not published in the structured AU requirements. Wollongong — UOW is the only NSW medical school awarded Commonwealth funding in 2024 for a rural end-to-end program. Combined Track (54 places): min. 32 Rural Entry Pathway; End-to-End Track (30 places): min. 17 Rural Entry Pathway; Health Access Stream (10 places): min. 6 Rural Entry Pathway. Eligibility: 5 consecutive or 10 cumulative years in MMM2-7 NSW location. The federal BMP allocates ~28.5% of CSP places nationally; individual schools sit above or below that benchmark depending on their workforce remit.

Macquarie typically releases medicine offers November. Wollongong releases medicine offers October. AU MD offers run through GEMSAS (graduate consortium) or direct school portals; if one is earlier than the other you may need to defer a decision while waiting for the second.

Macquarie runs a Integrated curriculum. Wollongong runs a Integrated curriculum. Both schools deliver teaching in the same broad style, so day-to-day study habits will feel similar. Macquarie specifics: 4-year MD with hospital-integrated placements from year 1 at Macquarie University Hospital. Years 3-4 expand to broader Sydney clinical school network. Strong emphasis on digital health, simulation, a Wollongong specifics: 4-year graduate MD. Years 1-2 foundational and clinical skills at Wollongong campus; year 3 longitudinal integrated clerkship in a regional or rural community; year 4 specialty rotations. From 2027, G

Yes — AU medical applicants typically lodge preferences across multiple schools via GEMSAS (graduate) or direct-undergraduate portals + state TACs (UAC for NSW, VTAC for VIC, QTAC for QLD, etc.). The two schools' selection mechanics differ enough that listing both is a legitimate diversification strategy. A common mistake is over-indexing on schools with the same test-and-interview profile; Macquarie and Wollongong share both their test stack and interview format, so think carefully about whether they're complementary or duplicative within your preference list.