1. Register a profile on the Rural Living Portal
2. Once registered and logged in, select ‘apply now’
3. Complete the application, including the placement you’re looking to
   get support for.
4. We will review your application within 15 business days.
5. Keep an eye out in your inbox for an outcome of your application.

Please apply, before or during your placement. Applications submitted after completion of placements will not be accepted.

If you have any further questions please email going-ruralhealth@unimelb.edu.au 

If you need assistance with your application, we have an online chat on our website and on the Rural Living Portal (Mon-Fri, 9-4)

Students can also email going-ruralhealth@unimelb.edu.au for assistance.

You may be logging into the Going Rural Health website instead.

Please log into the rural living portal for all applications of support.

If you are still having trouble, please email going-ruralhealth@unimelb.edu.au

For all medical emergencies contact 000.

To access a confidential 24-hour support and debriefing service, contact CRANA plus toll free on 1800 805 391.

The National Rural Health Student Network (NRHSN) have also produced this resource which can help you in many situations: When the cowpat hits the windmill

Many placement sites will also give you an after hours contact number to use if you have issues. Ask your placement site education/placement manager or supervisor.

Your university should also have a counselling service for students that you can access. You can find this information on your university’s website.

All applications submitted are assessed individually against our criteria.

If you have any queries or issues surrounding this, please contact us at going-ruralhealth@unimelb.edu.au

A bursary is a monetary award designed to assist and support individuals. A bursary is provided by electronic bank transfer.

Bursary payments are submitted to finance once the student’s application has been finalised and the requirements below have been completed:

• Proof of placement form
• Online finance form

An email confirmation will be sent to students confirming payment has been submitted. We ask that students allow 3 weeks from this email date for funds to reach their nominated bank account.

No. Students do not need to provide evidence on their rural living costs.

For University of Melbourne accommodation in:

• Ballarat
• Shepparton
• Wangaratta
• Benalla
• Bright
• Cobram
• Creswick
• Echuca
• Mansfield
• Mount Beauty
• Myrtleford
• Numurkah

Please book online via this link: https://umelbrh.starrezhousing.com/StarRezPortal/D93106A4/1/1/Home-Home

For any queries, please contact the team at drh-accom@unimelb.edu.au (Business hours are  Monday-Friday from 9-5)

If your placement location does not have University of Melbourne student accommodation, please see the below resources to assist you:

• Other Rural Health Supports – Going Rural Health
• Regional Information – Going Rural Health

The current cost of student accommodation for Nursing and Allied health students are:

• Subsidised Accommodation (Meets criteria) : $75 per week
• Non-Subsidised Accommodation: $200 per week

(Updated Aug 2023)

To be eligible for support, students must meet all points of our criteria:

• Currently undertaking an undergraduate or postgraduate nursing, allied health or other health science degree
• Be an Australian or New Zealand permanent resident or have refugee status.
• Placement must be a minimum of 2 weeks full time (no less than 4 days per week)
• Placements must be within rural Victoria and within specified locations/towns
• Student must submit their application before or during their placement

Please see link to full criteria – https://goingruralhealth.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Proof-of-Placement-Form-2023-Version.pdf

Financial assistance for rural placements is unfortunately not available to international students. However, all other Going Rural Health supports for students, including accommodation, education support, cultural training and mentoring support, can be accessed by international students.

Not eligible for Going Rural Health Support?

You may be eligible for other rural health placement supports, click here