Medical program is one step closer

Charles Darwin University (CDU) will soon begin educating the next generation of Territory doctors with the CDU Menzies Medical Program.

The CDU School of Medicine will accept 20 students into the program next year. 

In May, the University was allocated $24.5 million by the Federal Government to establish and operate the program from 2026 but following efforts to accelerate the process, the CDU School of Medicine was given the green light to commence in 2025 pending accreditation approval. 

From 2026 the program will take 40 students accepted through Commonwealth Supported medical places. 

Since the funding was announced, the CDU School of Medicine staff have worked tirelessly to grow a highly skilled team, secure equipment, and finalise other administrative requirements. 

CDU Vice-Chancellor Professor Scott Bowman said beginning the program earlier was an opportunity to have a more significant impact on the community. 

“It’s been a long time coming for the Northern Territory to have its own homegrown medical program, and Charles Darwin University will now be established to meet the need for medical doctors in the Northern Territory,” Professor Bowman said.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for people in the Territory to train as doctors, and we’re very keen for people from non-traditional backgrounds to come and study medicine.”  

CDU School of Medicine Foundation Dean Professor Dianne Stephens said there was significant interest from the community at the opportunity to study and train locally. 

“This is going to provide current Year 12 students and other aspiring local people who want to do medicine with an opportunity to start their journey next year,” Professor Stephens said.

“Students will be provided with a detailed curriculum focusing on rural and remote health, and will have state-of-the-art digital technology available and be taught by local experts with many years of experience managing the unique health challenges in the Northern Territory.

“We are proud to be able to contribute to the wellbeing of the community, and we’re very excited about starting and providing a fantastic experience for students in the first year of the program.” 

CDU Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Dominic Upton said the program, contextualised for the Northern Territory, would speed up the University’s ambitions to grow the local medical doctor workforce. 

“The Northern Territory has the biggest burden of disease, which means we need a range of health professionals to help and support the Territory population,” Professor Upton said.

“Charles Darwin University has a suite of allied health, nursing and midwifery qualifications, and the medical program will add an extra layer to ensure our health workforce is trained, supported and delivered by CDU.” 

The CDU Menzies Medical Program is currently going through the process of gaining accreditation by the Australian Medical Council which will be finalised by November 2024. Commencement of the program is dependent on this accreditation being achieved.

For more information see the Bachelor of Clinical Science Medicine/Doctor of Medicine course page.