Rural and regional placements – Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences

Hear from HMBS students about their experiences on placement in rural and regional areas. 

Occupational therapy placement, Toowoomba

Lauren, Natalie and Mandy discuss their rural placements in Toowoomba as part of the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours).

Pharmacy placement, Goondiwindi

Brooke spent a month discovering how pharmacy is done in the country, travelling 5 hours inland to Goondiwindi.

Diverse experience

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my clinical placement at Charleville and I’m grateful for the support of SQRH. To be honest I hadn’t thought about taking up a rural health career before coming out to Charleville but now I definitely would consider it. The experience was brilliant and incredibly diverse – I worked in wards, in the emergency department, attending visits with the nurse navigator, going to the Royal Flying Doctors Service (RFDS) base with ambulance staff and so much more”

Andy, nursing student

Broader scope of practice 

“I decided to apply for a rural placement because I was seeking a unique placement experience and couldn’t turn down the amazing opportunity! I knew the rural placement would push me and allow me to step outside of my comfort zone, helping me to grow, learn and educate myself. As well as providing me with a range of skills with the broader scope of practice seen in rural areas, compared to metro.”

Barbara, occupational therapy student

A fresh perspective 

”When you go on rural placement, even though it’s daunting, especially if you’ve grown up in the city, you find that the community out here is supportive, friendly and most importantly, genuine. You learn to grown up and get the chance to see the world through a completely different lens and your perspective on a lot of things is seen through fresh eyes.”

Anabella, speech pathology student

Medical students, see the Rural Clinical School accommodation. 

Dental students, contact your Placement Manager as school accommodation may be available. 

All other HMBS students, if you are placed in:

• the Darling Downs or South West regions of Queensland, may be eligible for free accommodation through Southern Queensland Rural Health (SQRH) or your allocated Queensland Health facility. 
• other areas of Queensland, there may be student accommodation available to you depending on where you are placed. Contact your Placement Manager for further assistance. 

UQ financial support

• UQ provides financial hardship assistance to eligible students.
• Students undertaking a placement of at least 8 weeks’ duration supported by Southern Queensland Rural Health (SQRH) are eligible for a weekly bursary to a maximum of $2,000. Apply for the bursary via the SQRH website.
• The UQ Student Union provides placement bursaries for students who are experiencing financial hardship as a result of their work-integrated learning placement. 
• Towards Rural and Outback Health Professionals in Queensland (TROHPIQ) offers student scholarships, conferences and bursaries.
• Ask your Placement Manager whether your school offers financial support for students undertaking rural placements.

External financial support

There are also many other external organisations that provide financial support via bursaries and competitively awarded scholarships to students undertaking rural placements:

• Queensland Health are offering the Nursing and Midwifery Regional, Rural and Remote Student Placement Allowance.
• CRANAplus  (peak professional body for the remote and isolated health workforce) offers awards, scholarships and grants to support the development of nursing and allied health students.
• NAFEA National Association of Field Experience Administrators rural placement scholarship program.  
• WIL Australia student work-integrated learning scholarships. Read Lisa’s story of how she was able to undertake a placement in Mt Isa with the help of a WIL Australia (formerly ACEN) scholarship.
• QCWA Queensland Country Women’s Association offers student bursaries in disciplines such as midwifery and nutrition.
• Rural Health Pro also provides a summary of scholarships available to students undertaking rural placements.
• Some professional associations and other organisations also offer financial support to students enrolled in specific disciplines. Ask your Placement Manager whether your profession offers financial support for students undertaking rural placements.

• Join Towards Rural and Outback Health Professionals in Queensland (TROHPIQ). TROHPIQ is Queensland’s student-run rural health club dedicated to helping medical, nursing and allied health students experience the unique career and lifestyle opportunities to be found beyond the big town of Brisbane.
• Register with Country Universities Centre (CUC). CUC is an organisation that provides secure spaces where you can focus on your studies while you’re on a rural placement and they have centres located in Roma, St George and Dirranbandi, Goondiwindi as well as in other Australian states and territories. The centres offer high-speed internet, printing and copying facilities as well as desktop computers, video conferencing and other study spaces.
• Health Workforce Queensland supports students via a number of initiatives that provide you with the opportunity to undertake activities and experience the possibilities of a rural career.
• Advice on your personal safety while you're on your placement, and travelling to and from placement.