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Placement Coordinators, Universities & Hosts

About Our Student Accommodation Program

The Murtupuni Centre for Rural and Remote Health (MCRRH) supports student placements across North West, Central West and Far North Queensland through the provision of accommodation for eligible students undertaking rural and remote clinical placements.

Our accommodation program is funded through the Australian Government's Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training (RHMT) Program, which aims to strengthen the rural health workforce by increasing opportunities for students to undertake placements in rural, regional and remote communities. By reducing the financial barriers associated with placement travel and accommodation, the program helps students gain valuable rural health experience while supporting the future health workforce needs of regional Australia.

Eligible students are provided accommodation at no cost during their approved placement period, subject to availability and compliance with accommodation requirements.

As accommodation capacity is limited across many of our locations, accommodation is allocated on a first-confirmed basis and remains subject to availability throughout the year. Demand is often particularly high during peak university placement periods.

MCRRH provides access to subsidised accommodation for eligible health profession students undertaking confirmed placements within our rural and remote footprint. Universities and education providers should follow the process below when seeking accommodation for their students.


Accommodation Eligibility

Accommodation Eligibility

Accommodation support is generally available to students who:

  • Are enrolled in an eligible health discipline program.
  • Are undertaking an approved rural or remote placement within the MCRRH footprint.
  • Are enrolled as a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) student at an Australian public university.
  • Meet any additional RHMT or program-specific eligibility requirements.

Students Who May Not Be Eligible

The RHMT Program does not generally permit accommodation support for:

  • International students.
  • Full fee-paying domestic students.
  • Students enrolled through private higher education providers or non-public universities.
  • Students who do not meet RHMT eligibility requirements.

Exceptional Circumstances

MCRRH recognises that some placements provide significant value to rural communities and student learning outcomes. As such, requests for accommodation from students who do not meet standard eligibility requirements may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Examples may include:

  • International students.
  • Full fee-paying domestic students.
  • Students enrolled through private universities or private higher education providers.

Approval of these requests is not guaranteed and will only be considered where:

  • Suitable accommodation is available.
  • The student does not displace an eligible RHMT-funded student.
  • The placement aligns with the objectives of the MCRRH program.
  • Appropriate approvals are obtained where required.

Students and placement coordinators should not assume accommodation will be available under these circumstances and are encouraged to contact the relevant regional team as early as possible to discuss their requirements.

Please note: Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee accommodation. All accommodation allocations remain subject to availability, operational requirements, funding requirements, and compliance with MCRRH accommodation policies.

How to Request Accommodation

How to Request Student Accommodation

Step 1 – Confirm the Placement

Before accommodation can be considered, the placement must be confirmed with the relevant placement host organisation, health service, hospital, clinic or MCRRH Clinical Lead (where applicable).

Accommodation requests cannot be assessed for tentative or proposed placements.

Step 2 – Confirm Student Eligibility

Ensure the student meets the accommodation eligibility requirements outlined above.

If the student is an international student, full fee-paying student or enrolled through a private university or higher education provider, please contact the relevant MCRRH team to discuss whether accommodation may be considered under exceptional circumstances.

Step 3 – Gather Required Information

Before submitting your request, ensure you have the following information available:

  • Student full name(s)

  • Student email address(es) (if available)
  • University name
  • Discipline or program
  • Placement host organisation
  • Placement location
  • Placement start date
  • Placement end date
  • Number of students requiring accommodation
  • Any known accessibility or accommodation requirements
Step 4 – Submit Your Request

Submit your accommodation request via email to the relevant regional contact:

North West Queensland
accom.mcrrh@jcu.edu.au

Central West Queensland
centralwestplacements@jcu.edu.au

Far North Queensland
MCRRH-FarNorthPlacements@jcu.edu.au

Accommodation requests must be submitted in writing.

Step 5 – Availability Assessment

The MCRRH accommodation team will assess accommodation availability based on:

  • Accommodation capacity

  • Placement dates

  • Student eligibility

  • Operational requirements

  • Existing confirmed bookings

Please note that accommodation is allocated on a first-confirmed basis and availability can change quickly throughout the year.

Step 6 – Receive Accommodation Outcome

Once your request has been assessed, the accommodation team will advise whether:

  • Accommodation is available and can be allocated;

  • Additional information is required; or

  • Accommodation is unavailable for the requested dates.

Step 7 – Student Accommodation Confirmation

If accommodation is approved, students may be required to:

  • Complete an accommodation application - a link to the application form will be sent directly to the students following receipt of all required information;

  • Provide supporting documentation;

  • Review accommodation conditions; and

  • Confirm their acceptance of the accommodation allocation.

Accommodation is not considered confirmed until written confirmation has been issued by the relevant MCRRH accommodation or placement team.

Step 8 – Prior to Arrival

Students will receive information regarding:

  • Accommodation address and check-in details;

  • House rules and expectations;

  • Emergency and after-hours contact information;

  • Local orientation information; and

  • Any site-specific accommodation requirements.

Important Reminders
  • Accommodation requests must be submitted in writing.
  • No tentative, provisional or "hold" bookings can be accepted.
  • A confirmed placement host and confirmed placement dates are required.
  • Accommodation is subject to availability.
  • Placement confirmation does not guarantee accommodation.
  • Accommodation is only confirmed once written confirmation has been provided by MCRRH.

Contacts

North West Queensland

For placement accommodation in Mount Isa, Cloncurry, Normanton, Burketown, Dajarra & Boulia.

Accommodation enquiries: 

Contact: Mary-Ann Kearney - Multidisciplinary Training Facilitator

Email: accom.mcrrh@jcu.edu.au

In North West Queensland, placements are coordinated through the appropriate host discipline, health service or host organisation.

Murtupuni Centre for Rural and Remote Health does not coordinate most clinical placements in the North West region, except for MCRRH Service-Learning Placements, which are coordinated by the relevant MCRRH Clinical Leads.

Central West Queensland

For placements and accommodation in Longreach, Barcaldine, Blackall & Winton

Placement and accommodation enquiries: 

Contact: Patti Smith - Multidisciplinary Training Facilitator

Email: centralwestplacements@jcu.edu.au

Placement facilitators in Central West Queensland assist in coordinating both clinical placements and accommodation.

Far North Queensland

For placements and accommodation in Weipa and Thursday Island

Placement and accommodation enquiries: 

Contact: Malama Gray/Renae Tass - Multidisciplinary Training Facilitator

Email: MCRRH-FarNorthPlacements@jcu.edu.au 

Placement facilitators in Far North Queensland assist in coordinating both clinical placements and accommodation.

A Commonwealth funded Department of Rural Health
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