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Rural Application Process

Do you live in a regional or remote area of Australia?

If so, you may eligible to apply for entry into our Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine (BMedScMD) degree via the Rural Application Process (RAP).

Applications for the BMedScMD must be received by 11:59 pm AEST on 30 September 2023. Late applications will not be accepted.


What is the Rural Application Process?

The Rural Application Process aims to support students from rural areas of Australia to study medicine.

The benefits of applying through the Rural Application Process may include:

  • Consideration of your rurality during the application process, with ATAR adjustment factors possible for year 12 leavers.
  • Domestic tertiary applicants who meet rural residency requirements should apply via the Rural Application Process (RAP) although they are not eligible for ATAR adjustment.  This allows for eligibility for quotas where applicable, rural student funding and/or scholarships when available.

NOTE: Students can indicate that they wish to apply to medicine through the rural application process when they apply centrally through the usual University of Tasmania electronic application process. They will be assessed for both a rural place as well as a regular BMedScMD place. There is not a separate RAP application form.


Am I eligible to apply through the Rural Application Process?

If you live in a rural area of Australia, you may be eligible to apply via the Rural Application Process.

Eligibility is based on location. You must have lived in a regional or remote area of Australia prior to commencing medical school training for:

  • Five or more consecutive years, OR
  • Ten cumulative years

Applicants must meet rural location eligibility criteria at the date of BMedScMD course commencement.

Determine the rurality of your home address(es) at the Rural Health Workforce Locator website for the Australian Standard Geographical Classification for Remoteness.  When searching for the rurality of your address please select the "Australian Statistical Geographic Standard Remoteness Areas" and then the year of 2016 to get the correct RA code for your address. You will be asked to provide these addresses, and the dates (month/year) for which you lived there, when completing your application to study medicine.

A regional or remote area of Australia is defined as Remoteness Area categories RA2 – RA5. Please note this is the Federal Government definition of rurality. All of Tasmania is RA2 – RA5.


ATAR Adjustment Factors for year 12 leavers

In recognition of the relative education disadvantage that can occur in rural areas there may be ATAR adjustment available to BMedScMD year 12 leaver applicants in the rural application process.

If you are a year 12 leaver eligible to apply via the rural application process (see location requirements described above), there is an adjustment of 4 additional ATAR points for RA2 year 12 applicants.  Year 12 applicants from an RA3-5 area receive an adjustment of 5 additional ATAR points.


How do I apply through the Rural Application Process?

It’s very simple:

  1. Commence your University of Tasmania application for the BMedScMD degree via the Admissions website.
  2. Please provide address details including state and postcode for eligible rural addresses.
  3. Complete the rest of the application form and press submit.

If you need help in filling out your form, please contact us: course.info@utas.edu.au.