• Section 1 - Context
• Section 2 - Confirmation of Aboriginality and/or Torres Strait Islander Status within the University
• Section 3 - Application
• Section 4 - Minimum Academic Criteria
• Section 5 - Invitation to Progress
• Section 6 - Preferred Enrolment Location
• Section 7 - Assessment of Personal Qualities
• Section 8 - Miroma Bunbilla – Pre Entry Activities
• Section 9 - Selection Ranking
• Section 10 - Offers

Section 1 - Context

(1) This procedure supports the commitment of the University of Newcastle (University) to create additional pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to enter the University and continues the University’s long tradition of supporting the education of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctors. The Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine (BMedSc and MD) is offered jointly by the University of Newcastle and the University of New England and is known as the Joint Medical Program (JMP). Admission to the JMP is managed through a common selection process.

Section 2 - Confirmation of Aboriginality and/or Torres Strait Islander Status within the University

(2) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants seeking to be considered for selection under this Procedure must establish their Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander status in line with the Aboriginal and/or Torres strait Islander Establishing Status within the University Policy and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander - Establishing Status within the University Procedure. Confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander status must be obtained prior to submission of an application.

Section 3 - Application

(3) Applicants will be required to lodge an application to the Universities Admission Centre (UAC) by UAC’s October closing date by including the JMP program among their preferences.

(4) The University of Newcastle’s Admissions Office will provide a list to the School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle and to the Thurru Indigenous Health Unit, University of Newcastle as soon as possible after the October closing date, of those Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants who have included the JMP program as a preference on their UAC application by the October closing date.

(5) The University of Newcastle’s Admissions Office will assess the Academic Eligibility for each Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicant using the UAC Full Academic Report (FAR).

Section 4 - Minimum Academic Criteria

(6) To satisfy the academic requirement, an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicant must:

1. have achieved an ATAR of at least 72.55 in the New South Wales Higher School Certificate (or equivalent); or
2. have completed at least one full-time year (or equivalent) of approved study (1 year FTE excluding credit) in a single program of study at a higher education institution and have achieved in that study a UAC (ATAR based) rank of 80.25 or better. An applicant’s most recent program of study which satisfies the 1 year FTE requirement will be used to assess academic eligibility; or
3. have completed a recognised Indigenous university enabling/preparation program and achieved a UAC (ATAR based) rank of 72.0. Recognised programs include the Yapug program at the University of Newcastle and the TRACKS at the University of New England.

(7) Where an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicant has undertaken one or more years of tertiary study and subsequently completes secondary or enabling studies, eligibility will be based on the most recent tertiary studies.

(8) Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants sitting the HSC, or equivalent, or undertaking university studies (including enabling and pathway programs) in the year prior to their intended admission year, will be treated as if they provisionally satisfy the academic requirement.

(9) The academic eligibility of all Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants recommended for final selection will be verified (following the Assessment of Personal Qualities) before firm UAC offers are made.

Section 5 - Invitation to Progress

(10) Applicants who have established their Aboriginality and/or Torres Strait Islander status within the University, who satisfy, or provisionally satisfy, the minimum academic criteria and who have included the program as a preference in their application to UAC will be invited to progress through the next stages of selection:  the Assessment of Personal Qualities (comprising the Multiple Skills Assessment and an online personal qualities test); and the Miroma Bunbilla pre-entry activity week.

Section 6 - Preferred Enrolment Location

(11) Applicants eligible for Assessment of Personal Qualities will be required to nominate their preferred enrolment location:  University of Newcastle and/or University of New England. Information concerning enrolment location options will be provided with the invitation to attend the Assessment of Personal Qualities.

Section 7 - Assessment of Personal Qualities

(12) Assessment of Personal Qualities for eligible Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants will be conducted in November / December at the University of Newcastle. These assessments will not be conducted outside the standard JMP interview period.

(13) The Assessment of Personal Qualities comprises a Multiple Skills Assessment (MSA) and an online psychometric test as determined by the JMP Admission Committee and approved by the relevant Board at each university. Where possible MSA panels will include Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander representatives, who will be either an academic representative (from the School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle or School of Rural Medicine, University of New England) or a community representative. The Assessment of Personal Qualities will take the same format as that used for non-Indigenous applicants. 

Section 8 - Miroma Bunbilla – Pre Entry Activities

(14) Pre-entry activities will be conducted over the course of a week in November / December in the Miroma Bunbilla program. Attendance is a requirement of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander special entry pathway to the JMP. The program’s activities will include (but may not be limited to) attending problem-based learning tutorials, anatomy laboratory sessions, completing tasks associated with teamwork, research and cultural tasks.

Section 9 - Selection Ranking

(15) Only applicants who satisfy the minimum academic criteria, complete the Assessment of Personal Qualities and the Miroma Bunbilla pre-entry program requirements will be included on the ranked list for final selection.

(16) Applicants will be ranked on the basis of Miroma Bunbilla component scores and Assessment of Personal Qualities (MSA Scores).

Section 10 - Offers

(17) In late December JMP staff will meet to establish a list of recommended offers and enrolment locations. This list will then be forwarded to the University of Newcastle Admissions Office Manager who will re-confirm the academic eligibility of each applicant. Offers will be made to eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates down the ranked list until the available positions within the program are filled. Offers will be forced through UAC.

(18) This procedure should be read in conjunction with the Bachelor of Medical Science / Doctor of Medicine – Admission and Selection Policy.