Choosing which medical school places to preference through GEMSAS can feel overwhelming, especially when the terminology, obligations, and financial differences aren’t immediately clear. This guide breaks down the three major types of domestic postgraduate medicine places and links to trusted Fraser’s resources to support your decision-making.
What is a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)?
A CSP (Commonwealth Supported Place) is the most desirable and most competitive type of medical place. It is a government-subsidised medical place, where most of your tuition fees are covered by the Commonwealth. You only pay the remaining “student contribution.” It is important to note that a CSP is not the same as the HECS-HELP loan, which we will discuss later in this article.
What Makes You Eligible for CSP?
- Australian or New Zealand Citizen
- Or Permanent Visa Holder
Why CSP should be your First Preference when it comes to Medical School?
- Significantly lower tuition cost compared to BMP or FFP.
- No rural work obligation
- Maximum flexibility across medical training
- Identical internship opportunities compared to all other place types
It’s recommended to rank CSP as your highest choice in GEMSAS. That said, due to it’s limited number of places, it is also the most competitive option.
What is a Bonded Medical Place (BMP)?
A Bonded Medical Place (BMP) is essentially a modified CSP. Tuition costs are the same as CSP, but recipients are required to practice in rural or remote areas.
What Differentiates BMP from CSP?
- Requires a minimum 1-3 years of service in an area of workforce shortage.
- Can be completed flexibly over time (not required consecutively).
- Commitment can be fulfilled anytime from internship onward.
Important Considerations when Deciding a BMP
- Eligible rural or remote areas may change year-to-year, and work in a region that is later removed from the BMP list may no longer count towards fulfilling the contract.
- Historically, some students could exit the rural or remote work obligation through a penalty fee (varies annually), however these fees tend to be high.
- Many junior doctors — both CSP or BMP — will undertake rural rotations anyway, as it is a common part of training pathway and specialty requirements in Australia.
BMPs remain highly valuable, with tuition costs as CSP, and they are only slightly less competitive than CSPs. Given affordability and similar career trajectories, BMP should usually be your second preference, immediately after CSP.
What is a Domestic Full-Fee Place (DFP)?
A Domestic Full-Fee Place is where students pay the full cost of their tuition with no Commonwealth subsidy. DFPs are often offered to domestic students who did not secure a CSP or BMP but still meet academic and interview requirements for entry.
Tuition ranges from $35,000-$85,000+ AUD per year, depending on the university. However, some DFP students may be eligible for HECS-HELP.
When should you Preference Full-Fee Place?
Students should preference DFP when CSP and BMP are not available, or if they are able to pay off the high cost, or obtain FEE-HELP.
Students may also preference DFP when their first pick university only provides DFP, or if they feel that the CSP or BMP competition is too high and not realistic.
Generally, it is advised that DFP is ranked last.
What is FEE-HELP?
FEE-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme that helps students pay all or part of their tuition fees.
Features of FEE-HELP:
- A 20% loan fee applies to some undergraduate courses. This fee does not count toward your HELP limit and is charged per unit of study.Ex. $30,000 loan would have a $600 loan fee, students must pay $30,600 in total.
- Students studying medicine, dentistry, and veterinary sciences have an increased lifetime borrowing cap of $186,544 as of 2026.
- If a student’s HELP balance is used up, they must pay remaining tuition upfront.
- HELP debt increases each year through a process called indexation to keep up with the cost of living.
- The rate changes each year, the ATO manages indexation and repayments, and current rates are on their website.
- Students must make compulsory repayments once their income exceeds the repayment threshold ($54,435 as of 2026).
Eligibility Criteria for FEE-HELP:
- An Australian or New Zealand citizen, or Permanent Visa Holder.
- Be enrolled in a full fee-paying place at a provider that offers FEE-HELP loans.
- Have sufficient HELP balance to cover the loan.
- Have submitted the request for Commonwealth assistance form to your provider by the census date
- Be assessed as a genuine student and as academically suitable for your unit(s) of study.
- Not undertake more than two years' worth of higher education study in 12 months unless approved by your provider.
Note that students who they undertaken 8 or more units and failed more than 50% of those units are ineligible for FEE-HELP.
What are Medical School Specific Places?
MSSPs are special types of places that are reserved for a particular group of students with specific eligibility criteria. MSSPs intend to increase diversity in the medical workforce, encouraging students from specific regions or backgrounds to pursue medicine.
MSSPs are usually CSPs, meaning they are majorly government subsidised. Like CSP, there is a “student contribution” portion that students need to pay.
Targeted Eligibility Criteria for MSSP:
- Students from regional or rural areas.
- Students with indigenous backgrounds.
- Students from low socioeconomic backgrounds.
- Students from underrepresented schools.
Does Place Type Affect Medical Internship Ranking?
No, all place types are treated equally.
CSP, BMP, and FULL-FEE graduates are ranked identically for internship allocation. The myth that FULL-FEE students get lower priority is false. Your WAM and course requirements are the primary factor in internship ranking.
Rural and/or regional placement may be prioritised by certain states. However, it does not affect your overall eligibility. Having said that, BMP obligations will not taken into consideration as it is required only after your internship.
Frequently Asked Questions
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