Albany has a variety of fully furnished student accommodation for RCSWA students.

The first two houses are conveniently located within a three-minute drive to the Albany Health Campus. The first house is a four-bedroom, two-bathroom home with the main bedroom and ensuite located at one end of the house and the remaining three bedrooms leading off the dining area. The relatively new house has a great outside entertainment area and a beautiful view of the surrounding suburb and bushland. The second house is a slightly larger five-bedroom, two-bathroom home, with two living areas and shared study spaces.

The third house is a two-story home in Middleton Beach. Downstairs it features one bedroom, with an ensuite and the shared living area, while upstairs it has two bedrooms and a bathroom, along with a shared open area. The house is within walking distance of the beach and a five-minute drive to the Health Campus.

The final accommodation is a four-bedroom unit, located across the road from the Albany RCSWA office and a one-minute walk to the main street. The purpose-built student accommodation features an ensuite for each bedroom, a shared kitchen, lounge, and laundry, with a small outside area containing table and chairs.

All accommodation is provided with wireless internet access.

Albany RCSWA has two cars for use by the penultimate and final year students for their placements in Mt Barker, Denmark and Katanning. Albany has a daily TransWA bus service to and from Perth and bus and taxi services for around town.

Cycling is also encouraged as most amenities are easily accessible by bike.

Albany, the regional centre of the Great Southern, offers a wide range of clinical experience across many disciplines. Students are allocated to discipline rotations for 2-4 weeks each, and will work directly with RMOs, registrars and consultants. The RCSWA students are part of each team. All the Medical Coordinators in Albany also work in various clinical roles in the hospital. There are a large number of junior doctors and doctors-in-training also working at Albany Health Campus, as well as student nurses and students in allied health.

In addition to the hospital exposure, the RCSWA coordinates a tutorial program, which is predominantly case-based discussions, and a component of OSCE practice. The RCSWA also likes to ‘take the university outside’ so there are planned events, walks and outside tutorials. There is a winter camp at Quaranup or Denmark. Talk to your Medical Coordinators and Albany RCSWA alumni about teaching experiences in the Great Southern.

General Practices
There are several general practices in Albany and surrounding towns: Denmark, Mount Barker, Kojonup and Katannning. Many have GP registrars. Most take medical students on rotation from RCSWA Albany, as well as metro. Students in RCSWA both in penultimate and final year are allocated to general practice. GP experience with a rural generalist can cover a wide range of experiences, from theatre lists, antenatal clinics, occupational health consults, mental health care plans, child health clinics and attending the emergency department.

Community Services

• Acute medical and specialist physician services
• Acute surgical including general, orthopaedic, plastic, urological, ENT, ophthalmology and gynaecological
• Aboriginal Health services
• Allied health services
• Cancer services – chemotherapy, oncology, haematology, Breast Care Nurse, Cancer Care Coordinator.
• Cancer Radiotherapy unit – currently under construction
• Emergency medicine
• Obstetrics & Gynaecology
• Medical imaging provided by iMED
• Paediatrics
• Palliative care
• Psychiatry
• Rehabilitation services
• Renal dialysis

The Great Southern offers opportunities to explore the Bibbulmum Track, Munda Biddi Trail, the Stirling Ranges and Porongurups, as well as explore the many and varied spectacular beaches in the region.

Students in Albany can be involved in a variety of community sports and activities. Students over the years have been involved in various football teams, volleyball, netball, soccer, swimming and tennis clubs and teams. Students have also participated in varied craft classes and groups such as pottery and art groups at the Vancouver Arts Centre.

Albany Community Directory is a great place to start if you are interested in joining a sporting or other interest club. 

City of Albany – experiences to see and do