GPRA and GPSN launch medical student rural immersion program
Are you a penultimate-year medical student ready to see where a rural career can take you?
GPSN members in the second-last year of their studies are invited to apply for an immersive 6 day experience in Alice Springs/Alice Springs Hospital and gain first-hand insight into how a rural internship can transform your clinical skills and future career!
Background
The aim of the Medical Student Rural Immersion Program is to develop and support the future rural medical workforce pipeline.
The Program specifically targets penultimate-year medical students from Australian medical schools and members of the GPSN.
Program highlights over 6 days
- Clinical exposure: Shadowing teams during Alice Springs Hospital rounds as well as attending education sessions
- Community insight: Engage with the local community and include information and visits to local primary care and general practice.
- Outreach clinical services exposure: Travel to Tennant Creek Hospital trip with the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) and teams from the Alice Springs Hospital.
- Supervision and coordination: By key staff at Alice Springs Hospital while on placement.
- Travel: Accommodation, flights, meals and stipends met by program for up to 2 medical students
What's included?
2 x placements awarded in 2026 to two penultimate year medical students.
Placements include:
- Return travel to Alice Springs.
- Accommodation, transfers and transport.
- Insurance coverage
- Stipend allowance.
Who Can Apply?
- Applicants must be a member of the General Practice Student Network (GPSN) and enrolled in the second-last (penultimate) year of their medical studies at an Australian university.
- Applicants must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
- Successful applicants must apply for and obtain a Northern Territory Working With Children Clearance (GPRA will reimburse the cost) before departing for Alice Springs.
- Successful applicants must undertake an online AIDA cultural awareness course (up to 5 hours of learning) before departing for Alice Springs (GPRA will reimburse the cost).
- Successful applicants will be required to complete an evaluation survey and take part in an evaluation interview after the placement.
Applying
The application form will ask you to:
- Answer some questions about yourself and your interests when you finish medical school
- Provide two 400 word (maximum) responses to questions about why you would like to take part in this program
- Upload a letter of support from a university lecturer or tutor
Key dates
- Applications open: 6 July 2026
- Applications close: 11 August 2026
- Immersion in Alice Springs: 22-28 November 2026 (including travel days)
Apply here
