Student placement information

Planning for placement

Why consider a rural placement?

The interdisciplinary nature of rural healthcare enhances teamwork and communication, while exposure to unique challenges deepens understanding of rural health factors.

Rural placements also promote strong community engagement and cultural competence, as students connect with patients and adapt to different lifestyles. The placement experience builds personal growth by developing resilience, adaptability, and independence.

Additionally, rural placements help address healthcare disparities by contributing to the workforce in underserved areas, potentially inspiring longer-term careers in rural healthcare. Overall, these placements enhance individual development and support the sustainability of healthcare services in rural communities.

A rural placement offers significant professional benefits through diverse clinical experiences and skill development. Students often manage a wide variety of cases, fostering growth and responsibility.

Planning for a rural placement

Once your placement has been confirmed by your Work Integrated Learning Team, you will receive a welcome email from Rural and Remote Health SA. This email contains important information about your placement and a link and log-in credentials to our DVE placement management system.

You must complete the “To do” items on the DVE placement management system. Failure to complete these items may impact your placement.

The information provided on the DVE placement management system will assist you in accessing the supports available including subsidised accommodation.

Before your placement ensure you have completed the following checklist:

Log in and complete the placement information questions in the placement system.
Prepare for how you will travel to and from, and during your placement. For many rural placements, your own motor vehicle will be required.
Ensure you have the relevant information from your placement supervisor. i.e. location to meet on first day, contact numbers, expectations whilst on placement etc.
If you require accommodation during your placement and have not been provided the link to book, contact rrhsa.placements@flinders.edu.au
Please familiarise yourself with the Rural Student Placement Guide.

Cultural Awareness Training

Before the start of your placement, you are required to complete online cultural awareness training. Click the link below and follow the steps to complete the Your Mob Indigenous Cultural Awareness Foundations Course.

Indigenous Cultural Awareness Foundations Course

Accommodation

Flinders University Rural and Remote Health SA provides accommodation support for domestic students^* who undertake clinical placements or training in South Australia.

We manage properties used exclusively as student placement accommodation in the Riverland, Barossa Valley, Hills Mallee Fleurieu and Greater Green Triangle and other regions within South Australia.

If you’re a current domestic student* and require accommodation assistance for your work integrated learning placement, please contact rrhsa.placements@flinders.edu.au.

Accommodation is in the form of shared houses or units/apartments, depending on your location, with single room accommodation for each Student. Kitchen, living areas, bathrooms etc. are shared spaces for all students staying in the property. All accommodation is fully furnished.
A $200 refundable security deposit applies to all bookings and is payable within 48 hours of accepting a booking.
Internet access is available at all Flinders managed housing.
Commutable distance from placement venues.
Accommodation is not routinely available to partners or family members of students.
Accommodation may include students from other universities, health disciplines and genders.
Pets are not permitted in any Flinders accommodation.

_{* International students: Flinders University international students can apply for accommodation but will be added to a wait list. Rooms are allocated on a priority system and international students will not be allocated a room until all domestic students are accommodated. We recommend you do not depend on availability with the university and source alternate accommodation. International students from other universities are not eligible for accommodation support.}

Scholarships

Scholarships listed below are relevant to Medicine, Nursing and Allied Health studentsundertaking a rural placement as part of a health degree:

Explore rural health placement scholarships

Students may be eligible for other scholarships offered by Flinders University:

Explore all scholarships

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Contact us

Flinders University Rural and Remote Health SA has a large presence in our State's regional areas, including Barossa Valley, Hills Mallee Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island, Mid North and Yorke Peninsula, Riverland, South East and Far North and Eyre Peninsula.

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