Rural medical electives
For urban medical electives, please visit the Inbound Medical Elective Program website.
2022/23 rural medical electives are now closed.
Rural clinical elective placements
The Rural Clinical School of WA can assist medical students to secure rural clinical elective placements.
Students who complete a clinical elective placement in rural/remote Western Australia have a unique opportunity to be more directly involved in medical care in a hands-on capacity.
Availability of placements
UWA Medical School (and the Rural Clinical School) Rural Electives applications are now closed for the 2022 / 2023 Rural Electives period of December 2022 / January 2023.
Please monitor this website for future updates on application dates.
Placement timeframes and application submissions dates
Please note that applications received outside of the following timeframes will not be assessed.
| Period | Applications open | Applications close | Email notifications sent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 December 2022 - 30 January 2023 | 1 June 2022 | 30 June 2022 | N/A |
Health screening
Serology reports
All documents need to be in English, including serology reports.
TB screening
A chest X-ray (CXR) or BCG is not sufficient for TB screening.
Evidence of tuberculosis screening with a Mantoux or Quantiferon test is required.
Student declaration form
Submit this form completed and signed with required proof (in PDF format) to the Placement Coordinator two months before your elective start date. Incomplete documentation will delay your placement process.
Pre-placement Health Screening: visiting rural clinical elective students (PDF 360KB)
Further requirements for applicants
- MRSA
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Required if the applicant has worked or been a patient in an interstate or overseas hospital in the past 12 months (WA students only). All other visiting medical students MUST have MRSA testing completed prior to commencing their elective placement.
You will receive a pathology form and the testing can be completed in Perth on your arrival. There will be a cost for this test that must be paid on the day. Please allow two working days for processing results. Swabs can be collected outside Western Australia, as long as you have not been in a hospital or nursing home environment since collection and your arrival in Perth.
- Working with Children Check
- All applicants need to have a current Western Australian Working with Children Check. An application will be sent to your home address prior to your arrival in Western Australia. Please complete required sections and apply at the nearest Post Office upon arrival in Western Australia (please ensure you have the 100 points of ID required when applying).
- English language
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IELTS or TOEFL is not essential to prove your English language skills.
If you have not taken IELTS or TOEFL, you can provide certification or a letter from your university confirming your course is taught in English or, if not, you communicate well in English, both spoken and written. - Fees
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Placement fee
International medical students: AUD$1000
Australian and New Zealand medical students: $220
UWA and Notre Dame Fremantle medical students: no fee - Insurance
- Applicants are responsible for public liability, professional indemnity/medical malpractice and personal accident insurance cover for the period of the placement and which must provide proof two months before the start date.
- Visa
- Rural clinical elective placements are classed as observation visits, not training or research. A visitor’s visa is appropriate. For advice on visas visit the Department of Home Affairs website.
- Accommodation
- It is the applicant’s responsibility to arrange and pay for all accommodation and travel (including transport) while on placement.