About

The Curtin Medical School is the newest school in the Faculty of Health Sciences, and enrolled its inaugural cohort of students in 2017.

The Curtin Medical School’s vision is to create highly competent doctors of the future who integrate into an interprofessional environment and put patient safety and quality care first, with a strong focus on primary care. This vision has been built on Curtin’s strong health sciences foundation, and on a philosophy of innovation and teaching excellence. This will position graduates well for rural and remote practice, as well as outer metropolitan locations, where there is a shortage of doctors.

In 2009, Curtin announced a proposal to establish a medical school to help address the health and workforce needs of West Australians. A feasibility study was undertaken by the University, which confirmed that the proposal was viable.

In 2013, Curtin commissioned an independent report, by consultant Dr Felicity Jefferies , which outlined the implications for the WA community if doctor shortages were not addressed. They included higher costs for medical services, longer waiting times, especially over winter, increased pressure on hospital emergency departments and hospital beds, increased pressure on other health workers, and poorer access to medical services, especially in rural, regional and outer metropolitan areas.

In May 2015, the Federal government gave formal approval for the Curtin Medical School. The school’s undergraduate medical program was granted accreditation by the Australian Medical Council in October 2016.