Celebrating 25 years of commitment to rural health, education and community partnerships.
Future students
Why go rural?
You’ll have opportunities to get involved in community activities, network with potential employers and future colleagues, and get greater patient access than in busier urban settings.
You will also work in smaller teams, with an emphasis on interprofessional learning. Our community engagement activities let you experience rural life for yourself and be part of fostering better health and wellbeing in rural regions.
If you want to apply or learn, send us an email.
Students may be able to access subsidised accommodation, or an accommodation subsidy, through the Department of Rural Health. This may help to keep your accommodation costs low and make your rural placement an affordable way to experience life away from home while studying.
Once you have secured your rural placement, you will need to register with our placement portal to apply for access to subsidised accommodation.
You will be encouraged to participate and learn alongside students from other disciplines. We support students studying medicine, medical radiation science, nursing, nutrition and dietetics, occupational therapy, pharmacy, physiotherapy, social work and speech pathology.
Learn more about interprofessional learning with the Department of Rural Health.
In Tamworth and Taree, you will have access to state-of-the-art facilities located on-site during your placement, such as our clinical skills laboratories and simulation facilities. Simulation technology has been shown to positively impact patient safety and improve health care quality and outcomes. Our other major sites also provide students with learning facilities and support.
Learn more about our facilities.
Our community engagement activities let you experience rural life for yourself and be part of fostering better health and wellbeing in rural regions. Some of our community engagement activities include Parkinson’s support groups, Ironman, after-school learning activities and teddy bear hospitals for children.
Learn more about our community engagement opportunities.
A rural placement is a great opportunity to experience life and work away from home while also learning about unique health-related issues. The rural lifestyle is relaxed and friendly, making it a supportive environment for learning and preparing for your career.
Find out where you could go with the Department of Rural Health.
You will have close contact with on-site academic and clinical teaching staff from your discipline during your placement and rurally based studies. Our academics are always happy to provide support, a listening ear, and advice for your career. You can also attend additional learning activities, such as job webinars.
Read more about rural placements for your discipline.
You will benefit from smaller student numbers compared with metro teaching hospital, which means more opportunities to work with a wide variety of patient presentations. Our students consistently share that the patient cases they experienced were interesting and diverse.
Read more about rural placements for your discipline.
Study areas
Locations
Coffs Harbour
This subtropical city is perfect for students looking for a coastal adventure further afield, along with modern convenience and a vibrant small-town atmosphere.
Port Macquarie
Students who undertake a rural placement in this stunning coastal town are often looking to mix study, travel and a relaxing beach lifestyle—all less than three hours’ drive from Newcastle.
Interprofessional Learning
Interprofessional learning is about students from different disciplines doing part of their learning together. You will learn with, from and about each other, sharing knowledge and information about patients or clients. Interprofessional learning is built on the idea that providing high-quality services requires health professionals to work as a team, with a patient-centred approach to care.
Community Engagement
Students can participate in a variety of community activities around their rural placements. We have strong partnerships with local organisations such as sporting groups, schools, childcare centres and many others. Engaging in community activities will help give you a meaningful and productive placement as you work to promote better health and prevent disease.
If you're about to start a placement with us, you’ll receive more information about community engagement activities during your orientation session. Otherwise, speak with our academics for more information.
Cultural Training
Our Cultural Safety Training Program is designed for students undertaking placements. Developed in close partnership with local First Nations communities and the University of Newcastle’s Cultural Team, the program is grounded in respectful collaboration to ensure content, delivery, and engagement are culturally safe and meaningful.
Scholarships & Training
Students wishing to undertake a rural placement may be eligible for scholarships and grants to help with their studies and living costs.
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.