So I guess the same thing would apply to other science degrees like, for example, Pharmacy?
Pharmacy has a heavy chemistry component.
I mean if you apply yourself it's possible to do these degrees without foundations in chem or phys from high school, but you're entering in with no background information and unlike year 11/12 where you have two years to learn it, most semesters are 13 weeks. So if you have no background foundations in physics or chemistry and don't do a bridging course, you are spending your first few weeks trying to learn the basics.
Most degrees have scrapped pre reqs, but almost all first year science subjects have "assumed knowledge", which means they're assuming you're coming into this with some sort of pre knowledge of the topic.
Like I said you can certainly succeed but you're probably going to have to try harder than if you hadn't done yr 12 phys/chem.
My main question is you're doing no science subjects at all in the HSC, what has compelled you to pick science degrees?