The School of Medicine, Fremantle, at the University of Notre Dame Australia (UNDA) is a leading Catholic medical school located in the historic port city of Fremantle, Western Australia. Established in 2005, it is renowned for its commitment to social justice, rural medicine, and small-group learning.
Established: 2005.
Location: Henry Street, Fremantle, WA 6160.
Degree Awarded: Doctor of Medicine (MD).
Duration: 4 Years (Postgraduate entry).
Language of Instruction: English.
Accreditation: Fully accredited by the Australian Medical Council (AMC). Degrees are internationally recognized, including by the NMC (India) and ECFMG (USA).
Ethos: As a Catholic university, UNDA emphasizes the education of the "whole person," focusing on ethics, compassion, and serving the community, particularly in rural and remote areas.
Fremantle West End: The campus is uniquely integrated into the historic West End of Fremantle, with the medical school operating from four restored buildings on Henry Street.
Learning Model: The curriculum is built on Problem-Based Learning (PBL). Years 1 and 2 focus on foundations of medical science through small-group tutorials (10–12 students) led by medically qualified tutors.
Facilities: Includes 13 dedicated PBL rooms, a 200-seat lecture theatre, simulated clinic rooms, and a simulated hospital ward for procedural skill training.
Core Curriculum: A hallmark of UNDA is the study of Bioethics in the first year, providing a philosophical and ethical framework for medical practice.
Leading tertiary care hospital attached to the institution
Early Clinical Exposure: Clinical skills and site visits begin in the first year.
Clinical Years (3 & 4): These are entirely hospital-based. Students rotate through core disciplines including Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, OB/GYN, and Psychiatry.
Clinical Network: Fremantle students rotate through major Western Australian hospitals, including:
Fiona Stanley Hospital: A major state-of-the-art tertiary center.
St John of God Hospitals: Private hospital partnerships in Subiaco and Murdoch.
Fremantle Hospital: A key local specialist hospital.
Rural Clinical School (RCSWA): In Year 3, many students opt for a full-year immersion in rural WA towns (e.g., Broome, Esperance, or Kalgoorlie) via the Rural Clinical School, jointly operated with UWA and Curtin.
State University Affordability
International Tuition Fee: Approximately AUD 83,997 per year (as of 2026).
Domestic (CSP): Most places are Commonwealth Supported; student contribution is approx. AUD 12,700 – 13,500 per year.
Incidental Costs: Budget approx. AUD 2,000 for uniforms, specialist equipment (stethoscopes), and immunizations.
SSAF: The Student Services and Amenities Fee is approx. AUD 350 per year.
Vibe: Known as "Freo," it is a vibrant, artsy port city with a famous "Cappuccino Strip," markets, and historic maritime charm.
Transport: The campus is walking distance from the Fremantle Train Station, providing a 30-minute direct link to Perth CBD.
Climate: Mediterranean. Sunny, dry summers with the famous "Fremantle Doctor" (cooling sea breeze) and mild, rainy winters.
Safety: A very walkable and safe community-focused city.
Port Lodge: UNDA offers its own on-campus residential hall in Fremantle.
Cost: Approx. AUD 300 – 400 per week.
Note: On-campus housing for 2026 is highly competitive; students are encouraged to apply early.
Private Shared Housing: Most medical students live in "share houses" in Fremantle, South Fremantle, or Beaconsfield.
Rent: AUD 150 – 250 per week for a room in a shared house.
Self-Catering: All university housing is self-catered.
Food Budget: Approx. AUD 140 – 280 per week.
Total Living Costs: Estimated at AUD 400 – 750 per week for the Fremantle campus.
Eligibility: A bachelor's degree (any discipline) completed within the last 10 years with a minimum GPA of 5.2/7.0 (Domestic) or 2.9/4.0 (International).
Standardized Tests: GAMSAT (Min 50 in each section) or MCAT (Min 500 overall).
Casper Test: Mandatory online situational judgment test used to rank students for interviews.
Interviews: Selection is based on the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI), usually held in September.
NEET (For Indians): Required if you intend to return to India to practice.
Portfolio: Unlike the Sydney campus, the Fremantle campus has historically moved away from the written portfolio, relying more on Casper and GPA/Test scores for interview selection.
Well-equipped Library
Experienced Faculty
Computer Lab
Sports Activities
Heritage Campus