DEPARTMENT OF RURAL HEALTH BROKEN HILL
THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY
Faculty of Medicine
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT PLACEMENT POLICY
1:
POLICY PREAMBLE
The University Department of Rural Health (UDRH) is a multi-disciplinary department of
learning and research located in Broken Hill, Australia. The Department’s aim is to contribute
to the recruitment and retention of health professionals in rural and remote Australia through
a range of programs including providing courses of study, undertaking research and
supporting placements for medical, nursing and allied health students.
The UDRH Student Placement Program is a partnership between the UDRH and regional health
service providers. Students may apply to undertake either a core or elective placement during
the course of their study to gain experience of health care in rural Australia
The UDRH is attached to the Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, Australia, with an office
on main campus in Sydney and head office in Broken Hill.
2:
PLACEMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Placements are available for eligible international students depending on vacancies. The
majority of these placements are with the Far West Area Health Service and/or the Maari Ma
Health Aboriginal Corporation and are predominantly based in Broken Hill.
Broken Hill has an 88-bed hospital and associated community health service, as well as a
primary health care service offered by Maari Ma Health. Placements available include:
General medicine/nursing
Surgery
Community Health
Rural/remote Health Care
Mental Health
Aboriginal Health
Placements are normally for four weeks with longer placements (of a maximum of eight
weeks) occasionally available. The available months are from mid-January to mid December
each year. Students cannot be accepted over the Christmas period.
3:
ELIGIBILTY
Applicants must be currently enrolled in a health related course (e.g. medicine, nursing or
other health profession) at a recognized University or equivalent tertiary institution. Applicants
must have completed a relevant hospital ward practical study of at least one year for medical
students and two years for nursing or other health studies.
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4:
VISA(S) AND ENTRY PERMITS
It is the responsibility of the visiting student to obtain the necessary visa(s) from an Australian
Consulate in their own country before entry into Australia. It is the responsibility of each
student to be aware of their immune status.
5:
APPLICATIONS
Applicants must first contact the Student Coordinator to request application forms and an
information package. Requests must be made to the:
STUDENT COORDINATOR
BROKEN HILL UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF RURAL HEALTH,
PO BOX 457
BROKEN HILL NSW 2880
Phone +61 0880801200
AUSTRALIA
Facsimile +61 08 8080 5240
Applications should be submitted at least three months prior to the desired placement and
include:
a) Completed application forms
b) A letter from your University confirming your status as a student and course enrolment
details
c) A completed application to enroll as a Continuing Education Student with The University
of Sydney. There is currently a fee of $100 (Australian) for enrolment
d) A recent passport sized photograph
Applications will be considered on individual merit, with the placement depending on the
availability of the elective area requested. Successful applicants will be notified in writing either
by post or e-mail. Applicants should also confirm arrival dates with the Coordinator.
PLEASE NOTE: APPLICATIONS CAN ONLY BE MADE FROM THE COUNTRY OF
STUDY/RESIDENCE AND NOT FROM WITHIN AUSTRALIA
6:
PLACEMENT FEE
In addition to the $100 enrolment fee, the following placement fees are payable:
A further charge of $150 (Aust) is payable for each additional week of the placement. (e.g.
cost of a six week placement = $750; cost of an eight week placement = $1,000;)
All placement fees must be paid during the first week of placement.
Placement fees must be made in either cash, money/postal order in Australian dollars or credit
card. Money orders are to be made payable to UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF RURAL HEALTH
– BROKEN HILL
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7:
ACCOMMODATION AND TRAVEL
Reasonably priced accommodation is available on-campus for international students
depending on availability. Current charges for this accommodation will be indicated in the
information package you receive with the initial application. If on-campus accommodation is
not available students are advised to book their own accommodation
Students must make their own arrangements and meet their own costs for travel. Financial
assistance for travel is not offered and concession student travel is not available on public
transport for overseas students
Arrival and Departure in Broken Hill: As student accommodation is limited, placements
are arranged on a weekly basis with accommodation available from Sunday’s only. (Students
are required to vacate on Saturdays). If students arrive mid week (ie prior to Sunday) they will
need to make alternative arrangements for accommodation until rooms are available on
Sunday morning.
4:
CONDUCT WHILE ON PLACEMENT
Students who are accepted for placement are required to comply with the policies and
procedures of the relevant health service hosting the placement and relevant UDRH policies.
These policies will include:

Policy on Confidentiality and medical records

Policy on Smoking, Alcohol and Drugs

Policy on Student Accommodation

Code of Conduct
Students will be expected to maintain appropriate standards of dress during their placement.
While on duty in health facilities an identity card must be worn at all time.
NOTE: THE DETAILS OF THIS POLICY WILL CHANGE FROM TIME TO TIME. APPLICANTS SHOULD
NOT PHPOTOCOPY AND DISTRIBUTE THIS POLICY OR BLANK APPLICATION FORMS.
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