Rural and Remote Incentive Programs Assistance > Students

Aboriginal Study Assistance Scheme (ABSTUDY)

ADF Sponsored Undergraduate Scheme

AMA Queensland Mentor Scheme

Australian Medical Students' Association (AMSA)

Australian Rotary Health (Rural Medical Scholarships)

Australian Rotary Health's (Indigenous Health Scholarship)

Bonded Medical Places (BMP Scheme)

Bonded Medical Places (BMP Student Support Scheme)

BUSHFIRE (Bond University Society of Health for Indigenous and Rural Experience, formerly BURRHC)

Claud and Kate Delpratt Memorial Scholarship

Commonwealth Scholarships Program (CS)

Auspicing Body
University of Southern Queensland

Website
http://www.deewr.gov.au/HigherEducation/Programs/StudentSupport/CommonwealthScholarships/Pages/Home.aspx#program

Overview

The Commonwealth Scholarships Program (formally known as the Commonwealth Learning Scholarships (CLS) Program) was introduced in 2004 to assist students from low socio-economic backgrounds, particularly those from rural and regional areas and Indigenous students, with costs associated with higher education.

In 2010 the Government implemented significant reforms to student income support including the introduction of the Student Start-up and Relocation Scholarship. The Student Start-up replaces the CSP’s Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarship (CECS) and the Relocation Scholarship replaced the CSP’s Commonwealth Accommodation Costs Scholarship (CAS).

To complement these reforms the CSP altered in 2010 and is now only open to new students who are Indigenous low SES. The CSP continues to support students who were awarded a Commonwealth Scholarship prior to 1 January 2010 under transitional arrangements provided they maintain their eligibility.

The values of the scholarships in 2012 are: Indigenous Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarship (ICECS) $2,377; Indigenous Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarship (ICAS) $4,754; Indigenous Access Scholarship (IAS) $4,485.

Basic Eligibility
Please refer to the QTAC website about the eligibility criteria for specific scholarships and their application processes.

Application Process
The Commonwealth Scholarships Program is administered on behalf of the Australian Government by eligible higher education providers. Providers are responsible for conducting their own application and selection procedures on the basis of guidelines issued by the Commonwealth. Potential applicants need to direct their enquiries on application procedures, deadlines, etc to the higher education provider where they are studying or plan to study. The Indigenous education units at each university will be able to provide assistance with applications

David Hastings Bursary

E.O.H Handy Memorial Scholarship

Elective Rural Bursaries & Indigenous Health Essay Competition (NRHSN & AMSA)

Equity Support Grants/MTB Grant

HECS Reimbursement Scheme

HOPE4HEALTH (H4H)

Hugh Alexander Grierson (Trust Bursary)

Indigenous Health Careers Access Program (IHCAP)

Indigenous People's Medical Scholarship

Innovative Clinical Teaching and Training Grants (ICTTG)

John and Janice King Bursary

John Flynn Placement Program (JFPP, formerly known as the John Flynn Scholarship Scheme)

Auspicing Body
Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine

Website
http://www.acrrm.org.au/john-flynn-placement-program-0

Overview

The John Flynn Placement Program (JFPP) was established in 1997. The JFPP, funded by the Department of Health and Ageing, is an important part of the Australian Government's strategy to attract more doctors to rural and remote areas to address areas of workforce shortage & improve the quality of healthcare for local communities. The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) administer the program on behalf of the Government. Each year medical students enrolled in accredited medical courses at one of 20 participating universities can apply for a place in the program. Each year 300 students are selected to join the program. There is one application intake each year, which is generally between February and April. Once accepted on the JFPP, students are placed with a rural doctor and a local contact person for a minimum of two full weeks per year, normally over a four year period. Students are placed in the same community each year and are expected to complete the entire eight weeks of placements by the last holiday period following completion of their medical course. Before applying for the JFPP students need to consider whether they have enough time with studies and current commitments to complete the program. Students work closely with a rural doctor in a wide variety of health settings and experience one on one mentoring. This type and level of mentoring for students is unique and will supplement the experience of a University clinical rotation in a hospital or general practice. Students are encouraged to get involved with the local community, which is a vital part of this program. Interacting socially with local people will help students develop friendships and a strong bond with their placement community. ACRRM aims to link students to a local person or organisation in their community to assist with social and cultural experiences. This is especially important when students first arrive and are unfamiliar with the local area as it helps them to feel part of the community. Community Hosts are also engaged to offer suitable local accommodation to students and is another way that the local community supports the program. The combination of a clinical and social experience that students, mentors and communities encounter on the program make the JFPP a success, and results in some students returning to the community post-program to work in the region. The JFPP covers the cost of travel and accommodation for students to go on placement and ACRRM provides assistance with these arrangements. In addition to this students are paid $500 per week to cover food and living expenses during the placement. Mentors, community contacts and community hosts receive an honorary payment as acknowledgement of their important contribution to the program.

Basic Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for the JFPP you must be:

An Australian citizen or permanent resident; and,
Currently enrolled in an accredited medical course at one of the 20 participating Universities; and
Able to complete the eight weeks of placements within four years, by the time you complete your degree, if enrolled in an undergraduate medical course; or,
Able to complete the eight weeks of placements in either three or four years, by the time you complete your degree, if enrolled in a graduate medical course.

If you are in receipt of a grant or scholarship, which includes funding for community bonding or other community placement experiences, you will not be eligible to apply for the JFPP.

Application Process

Please refer to the ACRRM website for details of Program placement availability each year. There is one application round per year.

Email
jfpp@acrrm.org.au

Phone
1800 231 231 (Free call) Or (07) 3105 8200

Fax
07 3105 8299

Mail
Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, GPO Box 2507, Brisbane QLD 4001

Medical Rural Bonded Scholarship and Bonded Medical Places Support Programs (MRB and BMP Support)

Medical Rural Bonded Scholarship Scheme (MRBSS, MRB)

MIGA Student Elective Grants Program ("Supporting Medical Students in Developing Communities")

National Rural Faculty Awards (Medical Undergraduate Student Bursary 2011)

National Rural Faculty Awards (Rural General Practice Registrar of the Year Award)

National Rural Health Students' Network (NRHSN)

Auspicing Body
National Rural Health Students' Network

Website
http://nrhsn.org.au/site/index.cfm

Overview

The National Rural Health Students' Network (NRHSN) is a multidisciplinary health network comprising of 29 Rural Health Clubs (RHCs) located at Universities around Australia, in every State and Territory. The NRHSN covers medical, nursing and allied health courses, and comprises a member base of more than 9,000 students from the Rural Health Clubs.

NRHSN members share a common interest in rural, remote and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. The NRHSN exists to provide access to support, opportunities and information, promoting equality and future health careers. The NRHSN achieves its aims through locally based activities at rural health clubs (such as rural high school visits to promote health courses as a possible career option, speaker nights, workshops, scholarship nights and social events), as well as a national approach to issues such as Indigenous health and curricula.

The NRHSN is funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) and is auspiced by Rural health Workforce.

There are so many benefits to being a member of the NRHSN and your Rural Health Club, including:

social functions
bush trips
guest speaker and skills nights
forums and conferences
Rural High School Visits
Conference Funding (CoNS)
Indigenous Community Festivals
Publications such as 'When the Cowpat Hits the Windmill' and 'Rural Placements Guide'
networking with other students
Indigenous Festivals
twice yearly newsletter, 'Cooee!'
National University Rural Health Conference (NURHC)
Scholarship information
...so many more

Basic Eligibility

Application Process

You can find out more information or get involved in the NRHSN by joining the Rural Health Club at your university. If you would like to be involved in the NRHSN, please contact the Rural Health Club at your University.

Phone
03 9860 4700

Fax
03 9820 8383

Mail
National Rural Health Students’ Network, Suite 2, Level 5, 10 Queens Rd, Melbourne VIC 3004, Australia

North Dakota Rural Bursary

NSW Rural Resident Medical Officer Cadetships

Auspicing Body
NSW Rural Doctors Network

Website
http://www.nswrdn.com.au/site/index.cfm?module=RDNSCHOLARSHIPS&leca=82&pagemode=indiv&page_id=1839

Overview

Funded by the NSW Health Department, applicants are invited to apply for one of twelve Cadetships to receive up to $15 000 per year for the final two years of their medical degree. Each Cadet is eligible for a relocation allowance to help defray costs associated with their move to the country. NB: Cadetship recipients cannot hold a RAMUS or an MRBS at the same time.(Please note that the Cadetship is considered assessable income by the ATO. The Cadetship may also affect eligibility for the maximum value of the HECS Reimbursement Scheme).

Cadets apply for a PGY1 position through the RuralPreferential Recruitment (RPR) process administered by IMET. Successful applicants receive up to $15,000 per year for the final two years of their medical degree. In return for this financial support, Cadets work for two years in a rural NSW Base Hospital within the first triennium following graduation. Each Cadet is eligible for a relocation allowance to assist with costs associated with their move to the country. Cadets in Post Graduate Years (PGY) 1 and 2 can undertake their rural service in major NSW Base Hospitals including Wagga Wagga, Orange, Dubbo, Tamworth and Albury.

Basic Eligibility

Any medical student who completed Year 12 in NSW and/or who is studying medicine in NSW is eligible to apply. This includes NSW residents studying medicine in another Australian state/territory. Applications for the 2011 intake are made in 2010.

NSW residents studying in another Australian state/territory must be enrolled in:

2nd year of a graduate medical degree; or
3rd last year of an undergraduate medical degree.

Applicants must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or a permanent resident of Australia.

Cadetship applicants cannot hold a RAMUS or an MRBS. Bonded place students without scholarships are eligible to apply.

Applicants studying at a NSW university must be enrolled in:

2nd year medicine at the University of Sydney,University of Wollongong, Australian National University or Notre Dame; or
3rd year medicine at the University of Newcastle or University of Western Sydney; or
4th year medicine at the University of NSW.

Application Process

Complete the registration form avaialble on line and return. More informationcan can be found on the NSW Rural Doctors Network website.

Email
students@nswrdn.com.au

Phone
02 8337 8100

Fax
Fax 02 8337 8110

Mail
PO Box 1111 Mascot NSW 1460

Patience Thoms Indigenous Australian (Honours/Postgraduate) Scholarship

Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship Scheme

QIMR's Indigenous Health Scholarship

Queensland Health Bonded Medical Scholarships (QHBMS)

Queensland Health Rural Scholarship Scheme (QHRSS)

R.D. Arida Bursary

R.N. Hammon Scholarship

Remote Area Allowance

RHINO (Rural Health in Northern Outback)

Royal Flying Doctor Service (Scholarship)

Royal Flying Doctor Service (Student Placements)

Rural Australian Medical Undergraduate Scholarships (RAMUS)

Auspicing Body
National Rural Health Alliance

Website
http://ramus.ruralhealth.org.au/home

Overview

The RAMUS Scheme assists selected students with a rural background to study medicine at university. In addition to their rural background, RAMUS scholarship holders are selected on the basis of financial need and demonstrated commitment to working in rural Australia in the future. The RAMUS Scheme supports 573 current scholarship holders. Each year approximately 120 new scholarships are awarded through a competitive application process, to maintain the total of 573. From 2012 the number of scholarships holders will increase to 580. RAMUS scholarship holders receive $10,000 a year during the completion of a standard medical degree at their chosen university. This financial support assists scholarship holders to overcome the financial barriers to studying medicine at university, particularly the costs of moving and living away from their family support structures. The scholarships are not bonded. Scholarship holders are encouraged to take part in activities to maintain and strengthen their ties to rural Australia and to develop an appreciation of work as a medical practitioner in rural areas. All scholarship holders have a rural doctor as a mentor and are required to be a member of their university’s student rural health club. The RAMUS Scheme was established in 2000. Since then, over 1,800 scholarships have been awarded to rural medical students and more than 1,100 RAMUS scholars have graduated from medicine. About 500 rural doctors across Australia participate in the Scheme as mentors. The National Rural Health Alliance administers the RAMUS scheme on behalf of the Department of Health and Ageing.

Basic Eligibility

To be eligible you must:

Be enrolled as a full-time student in an accredited Australian medical degree (graduate or undergraduate). Students who have applied for entry into a medical course may apply;
Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident of Australia;
Have resided in a rural area for a minimum of 5 consecutive years or 8 cumulative years from the age of five;
Become a member of the student rural health club at or affiliated with the university of current enrolment or future enrolment;
Not be in receipt of any other scholarships, cadetships or bursaries with a combined total value over $7,000 per year

Application Process

Applications open in November each year and close in the following January. At this time, the Application Form and Application Guidelines will be available online at the NRHA website. Applicants will be ranked on the basis of rural experience, financial need and status as either dependent or independent.

Email
ramus@ruralhealth.org.au

Phone
1800 460 440 Toll free Or (02) 6285 4660

Fax
(02) 6285 4670

Mail
RAMUS Team, National Rural Health Alliance, PO BOX 280, Deakin West ACT 2600

Rural Doctors Association of Queensland Prize

Rural Generalist Pathway (2011 Intern Campaign)

Auspicing Body
Queensland Health

Website
http://www.health.qld.gov.au/ruralgeneralist/

Overview

The Rural Generalist Pathway (RGP) was initiated in Queensland to supply the capable medical workforce that rural and remote communities need. The RGP, a Queensland Health funded initiative, is a fully supported, incentive based career pathway for junior doctors wishing to pursue a vocationally registered career in Rural Generalist Medicine. The recognition of Rural Generalist Medicine as a medical discipline in its own right, now provides attractive remuneration and career opportunities for those medical officers with aspirations of working in rural and remote Australia as a Rural Generalist in a variety of capacities.

Basic Eligibility

Eligibility to apply for a quarantined Rural Generalist Pathway training position is subject to the following criteria. Applicants must:

Hold Australian Citizenship or Permanent Residency status;
have completed or are in the process of completing a Bachelor of Medicine / Bachelor of Surgery at an Australian university;
have received or eligible upon graduation for general medical registration with the Medical Board of Australia;
and intend to make application to Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) for a general practice training position with a Regional Training Provider by the end of postgraduate year one

Application Process

Application to join the Rural Generalist Pathway is primarily made by final year medical students via the Undergraduate entry process. Application includes a written submission and interview followed by an exclusive balloting process to a quarantined Rural Generalist Intern training position. The exclusive ballot process coordinated by Rural Health Connections(Roma) is conducted prior to Queensland Health's general Intern recruitment campaign and ballot. It is important to note that by accepting the offer of a Rural Generalist Pathway Intern training position and participating in the Office of Rural Health / Rural Generalist Pathway Intern Ballot Process, undergraduates forego the opportunity to take part in the General Intern Ballot. Applications for the 2012 Rural Generalist Medicine / Generalist Emergency Medicine Intern Campaign are now open.

Email
rural_generalist@health.qld.gov.au

Phone
(07) 4616 6947

Fax
(07) 4616 5699

Mail
Rural Generalist Pathway, Cunningham Centre, PMB 2, TOOWOOMBA Q 4350

Siggins Miller Scholarship

The Alfred & Olivea Wynne Memorial Scholarships

The Doctors' Health Fund and AMSA (Medical Student Bursary Scheme)

Townsville Bulletin Scholarship in Medicine

TROHPIQ (Towards Rural and Outback Health Professionals in Queensland)