Applicant Assessment Guide
An important part of the JMP selection process is the assessment of personal qualities. We consider an applicant's personal qualities to be just as important and influential to the learning and practise of medicine as their academic ability. The JMP Assessment measures a range of non-academic qualities, traits and abilities.
After you have participated in the JMP Assessment your academic ability will also be assessed. This is the final stage in the JMP selection process. You must meet a minimum acadmeic requirement, which varues according to your background and whether you have completed tertiary education.
What to expect on the day
The JMP Assessment must be conducted in person during the designated period at either UON or UNE. The day is made up of two assessments: the Personal Qualities Assessment and the Multiple Skills Assessment.
Personal Qualities Assessment (PQA)
The PQA is an online test designed to assess a range of personal qualities that are considered to be important for the study and practise of medicine. You aren't required or advised to prepare for this assessment. To find out more, please visit the PQA website.
Multiple Skills Assessment (MSA)
The MSA involves students rotating through six stations. At each station you will discuss various scenarios or undertake activities with the assessor. There will be a two minute break between stations.
The MSA assesses a range of qualities including:
- capacity to thrive within the JMP learning environment
- ability to make everyday and important decisions affecting yourself and others, often without certainty of the outcome
- interpersonal and communication skills
- degree of personal desire and driving force to be a doctor
Choosing your university location
The location of your assessment is not an indication of which university you will be enrolled in. However, the assessment day is a great opportunity for you to explore one of the available campuses.
If you wish to change your preferred enrolment locaton following your assessment, you can request to do so up until 5 December 2025. The request to change can be submitted via email at jmpadmissions@newcastle.edu.au - please ensure you include your full name and UCAT ANZ ID.
Drive: Armidale is located halfway between Sydney and Brisbane on the New England Highway
From Sydney: approximately 5.5 to 6 hours. Take the M1 out of Sydney, travelling north. Before Newcastle, take the Hunter Expressway exit and continue on the New England Highway to Armidale
Rail: a train service from Sydney to Armidale is available via NSW TrainLink. Visit their website for details: https://transportnsw.info/regional-travel
Fly: QantasLink have regular flights to Armidale from Sydney. You can also fly into Tamworth and take the train to Armidale. Link airways offer flights to Armidale from Brisbane.
Parking: Parking is free on campus. Please ensure to park in blue or purple parks only.
Accommodation: this is available on campus at a cost of $82.50 per person. This is single student style accommodation with linen provided and shared bathroom facilities. Call Residential Services on 02 6773 3370 or email accommodation@une.edu.au to book. https://www.une.edu.au/campus-life/une-accommodation
Drive: from Sydney take the Wallsend/Newcastle exit (Newcastle Link Road) from the Sydney-Newcastle Pacific Motorway (M1). The turnoff to the University is signposted.
From the North continue towards Newcastle at Hexham on the Pacific Motorway for approximately five kilometres and then turn right onto the A37, following the signs to the University.
Rail: from Broadmeadow station, take a taxi to UON. Alternatively, from Hamilton station (one stop beyond Broadmeadow), change to a local train and travel to the University station (Warabrook Station), walking to the campus (approximately 15 minutes).
Fly: Newcastle (Williamtown) Airport is approximately 40 minutes from the University. A taxi to the University costs approximately $70. An Uber fare to the University costs approximately $50.
Parking on-campus: vistors are required to park in general car-parking areas only (not in designated staff, reserved or service vehicle parking areas). A fee applies Monday to Friday, between the hours of 8am and 5pm. Permits can be purchased via ticket machines on campus or via the online payment system, CelloPark App.
Accommodation: there are a variety of accommodation options in the suburbs surrounding the University. The closest suburbs are Jesmond, Waratah, Lambton and Birmingham Gardens. The Newcastle Tourist Information Centre can assist you with accommodation.
Exploring UON: the Callaghan campys is open to applicants to explore. The staff at UON Student Living may be able to give you a tour of some of the accommodation areas if a prior appointment is made by phoning 02 4913 8888.
To help you navigate the bushland campus refer to this map.
University of New England
https://www.une.edu.au/about-une/faculty-of-medicine-and-health/school-of-rural-medicine/medicine
https://www.une.edu.au/campus-life
University of Newcastle
https://www.newcastle.edu.au/campus-life
https://www.newcastle.edu.au/about-uon/our-environments/our-campuses-and-locations/newcastle
https://www.newcastle.edu.au/campus-life/central-coast/gosford
Links to information regarding the regions surrounding each University is provided below:
Do I need to confirm my allocated MSA?
You are NOT required to confirm your allocated MSA. We would though appreciate you letting us know if you are not going to attend your scheduled session so the session can be reallocated.
What type of photo ID will I need for my interview?
The photo ID you provide must be current and clearly show your face and full name. e.g. driver’s license, passport, student card. Your ID will be checked at a number of points throughout your MSA. It is suggested that you bring 2 forms of photo ID to your session in case one is not able to be viewed correctly via Zoom.
How do I change my preferred enrolment location prior to offers being made?
You have up until 5 December 2025 to change your preferred enrolment location. This request can be submitted via email at jmpadmissions@newcastle.edu.au.
What if I can’t attend my scheduled assessment e.g. I am sick on the day?
If you are unable to attend your scheduled assessment please contact your host university (see below) – it may be possible to organise an alternate time within the interview period but this is not guaranteed:
School of Medicine and Public Health (University of Newcastle): jmpadmissions@newcastle.edu.au 02 4921 5583
School of Rural Medicine (University of New England): jmpadmissions@une.edu.au 02 6773 3796
Note: If you do not attend your scheduled MSA, and have not provided a written explanation as to why, we will assume you have withdrawn your application.
Do I have to lodge an application with UAC?
Yes, in addition to submitting the direct University application all applicants are required to lodge an application with UAC. The required applications and closing dates can be found here.
Note: You must include Joint Medical Program at the University of Newcastle/University of New England among your preferences by the 1 December 2025. You will not be able to change your preferences to add this program after this date.
Please visit the UAC website for more details.
When will my offer be made?
For applicants who complete their MSA in November/December, offers will be made via UAC in January Round 1 on 8 January 2026. For applicants who complete their MSA in January offers will be made in January Round 2 on 22 January 2026.
How will I know which campus I have been allocated to?
Your allocated campus of enrolment will appear on the offer that you receive from UAC. It is not possible to change your allocated enrolment location.
Can I change campuses when I receive my offer?
It is not possible to change your allocated enrolment location.
Do I need to provide the JMP with my ATAR or university transcript?
No, this information is obtained and assessed by UAC via your UAC application.
Is the Educational Access Scheme applicable to my JMP application?
The Joint Medical Program is now included in the Educational Access Scheme (EAS) administered by UAC. Both tertiary and secondary applicants are eligible to be considered under EAS. Through EAS you can get up to four additional adjustment points if you have experienced educational or other disadvantage. For more information about the EAS see here.
How do I change my Bonded Medical Program expression of interest?
You have up until Friday 5 December to change your BMP preference. This request can be submitted via email at jmpadmissions@newcastle.edu.au. Information about the Bonded Medical Program can be found here.
Can I defer my offer?
Very limited places are available for deferments from the JMP. As such deferment requests are not guaranteed to be approved and will require you to submit an additional written statement outlining why deferment is sought.
Where can I get more information about the JMP?
Additional information, including student life and inherent requirements, is available here.
Further Important Information
University of New England: https://www.une.edu.au/campus-life/une-accommodation
University of Newcastle: https://www.newcastle.edu.au/study/student-living Note: new applications for on campus accommodation are now open.
You'll need to meet NSW Health Verification Requirements standards before you can go on clinical placement. These standards protect the health and safety of yourself and the public. You must maintain the NSW Health Verification standards throughout your time in the Joint Medical Program. Find out more here.
Inherent requirements are the essential components of a program or course that demonstrate the abilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of the program or course. Students with a disability or chronic health condition may be able to have reasonable adjustments made to enable them to meet these requirements. Reasonable adjustments must not fundamentally change the nature of the inherent requirement.
The Inherent Requirements for programs within the Joint Medical Program can be found here.
Each university offers a number of scholarships to support students throughout their studies. For further information see here.
If you have questions about each campus or your upcoming MSA please contact the relevant host University:
University of New England – jmpadmissions@une.edu.au or 02 6773 3796
University of Newcastle – jmpadmissions@newcastle.edu.au or 02 4921 5583
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.