The University of Western Australia (UWA) Medical Electives enable visiting medical students the opportunity to enhance their clinical skills in a new environment and experience life as a medical student in WA.

As a visiting medical student, you can:

• experience UWA’s medical specialties at our partner urban Teaching Hospitals, affiliated Medical Practices or through our Rural Clinical School
• develop your clinical skills and patient care, learning with our expert Medical educators
• gain insights into how medicine is practiced and experience the unique work: life balance Western Australia has to offer 

At the UWA Medical School we assist visiting medical students with elective placements at our affiliated teaching hospitals and our Rural Clinical School in Western Australia.

Your application for a Medical Elective with UWA will only be considered if you:

• are enrolled in the final 2 years of a medical degree at another institution (whether in Western Australia, interstate, or overseas);
• are seeking to complete a medical elective placement at a hospital or medical practice affiliated with UWA;
• are in academic ‘good standing’ and have the support of your current Medical Dean (Course Director or equivalent);
• have completed at least 12-months of clinical training at your home institution prior to commencing elective
• meet all vaccination, police check, visa and insurance requirements  
• have fully completed your application by the closing date and paid the non-refundable application fee

Available Placements

Medical Elective capacity at UWA fluctuates depending on the number of WA-based students completing their training, clinical loading and capacity, clinical educator availability as well as external factors (eg., COVID, hospital department construction, annual leave, conferences etc).  The list of elective specialities available can be found in the application form.  All elective placements are subject to availability and will be arranged by UWA staff in conjunction with the Clinical Provider.  While we will do our best to provide you with your top-ranked elective experience, you may not receive your preferred placement at your desired time due to the constraints outlines above.

Fees

All Elective applications require a non-refundable application fee of $200^#

Urban

• Elective fee 4 weeks: $1000*
• Elective fee 8 weeks (or part thereof: $1400*)

For rural placements contact the UWA Rural Clinical School.

*We generally do not refund Elective fees unless your reasons for cancellation are deemed exceptional.  If cancellation occurs 3-6 months prior to your elective commencing, the maximum refund is 50% of fees paid.  If within 3-months of elective commencement, there will be no refund.    
^#UWA Medical School has partner agreements with leading Medical Schools globally which may adjust these fees.  Electives longer than 8-weeks will only be considered if a Medical School partner agreement is in place. UWA medical students are exempt from these fees for UWA-based medical electives.
 

UWA Elective Application Link and Timeframes

2025 Elective Placements

Apply Here

Please note:

• The application date for UWA Elective Program from April 2025 is to be confirmed.
• Applications received for placements commencing outside of the defined Periods will not be processed until the appropriate time e.g. if you apply for a placement in May during Period 1 it will not be processed until after the Period 2 application deadline, with the associated Period 2 outcome timeframe.
• Please do not contact UWA Electives administration during processing times to ask for the outcome of your application. You will receive a notification as soon as possible during the week specified.

Conditions and Requirements:

• Offer and Acceptance to a medical elective is at the discretion of the Associate Dean (Global) and the Clinical Director (or equivalent) at the Clinical teaching site
• Applications for Medical Electives are only considered if made through this application site. UWA does not accept applications made directly to a potential supervisor of Clinical Director
• UWA does not offer formal assessments to Medical Elective students unless there is a University Partner agreement in place
  - Medical Elective students are responsible for their own travel, accommodations, living expenses and associated insurance (Travel, health and medical indemnity)
• The Medical School reserves the right to cancel a medical elective should there be concerns about the validity of the information provided in the application or should unsafe or unprofessional conduct occur during the Medical Student elective.
• Medical Elective students should review this site and/or contact their nearest Australian Consulate with respect to visa requirements. A tourist visa will allow entry and stay in Australia for the purpose of study/training for a period of up to 3 months.
• No more than 2 medical electives per student can be undertaken at UWA, each requiring a separate application.
  
  

Please do not contact hospitals or medical professionals directly to make elective placement arrangements.  By going through the Inbound Medical Elective program, you will be captured in a recognised placement program and have access to a greater range of teaching hospitals and disciplines.

For enquiries please contact: mdelectives@uwa.edu.au