Frequently Asked Questions

To be eligible for MCRRH subsidised accommodation, students must meet the following criteria:

1. Residency status
   Students must be an Australian citizen, New Zealand citizen, or permanent resident of Australia (including holders of a permanent visa).

2. Course and enrolment requirements
   Students must be enrolled in a recognised undergraduate or postgraduate health profession course at a registered Australian university.
   Private education providers are not eligible under RHMT funding.

   Eligible disciplines include (but are not limited to):
   Nursing, midwifery, medicine, Aboriginal health work, allied health disciplines (e.g. physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, pharmacy, social work, psychology, medical radiation sciences, paramedicine, dietetics, podiatry, audiology, sonography).
   Please note: not all courses fall within MCRRH’s funding scope.

3. Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
   Students must be enrolled as a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) student.
   Verification may include:

   • A university offer or acceptance letter confirming CSP status, or

   • A Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN) showing an eligible CSP status code
     CSP documentation must be uploaded as part of the accommodation application process.

     Student Status	Definition
     201	Deferred all or part of student contribution upfront - Eligible for HECS-HELP, CSP
     202	Paid full student contribution up-front with HECS-HELP discount, CSP
     203	Paid full student contribution up-front without HECS-HELP discount, CSP
     204-E	Paid full student contribution upfront - Eligible for HECS-HELP, CSP
     260	Student in a CSP with an Exemption scholarship

4. Placement requirements

   • The placement must be organised and formally confirmed by the student’s university

   • The placement must be undertaken within the MCRRH footprint. 

   • Accommodation must be at an MCRRH-designated accommodation site

5. Placement duration
   Placements must be a minimum of 2 weeks (10 consecutive placement days). This excludes RIPPAH Placements.

6. Application timing
   Applications should be submitted as soon as placement confirmation is received.
   MCRRH requires a minimum of 6 weeks to process accommodation requests. Late applications may be considered subject to availability. Please contact the MCRRH Accommodation team on accom.mcrrh@jcu.edu.au to discuss

7. Length of stay

   • Check-in may occur up to 2 days before placement commencement

   • Check-out is required 1 day after placement completion
     Accommodation outside these dates is not subsidised, unless approved due to travel distance or other valid reasons.

8. Changes to placement dates
   Any changes to arrival or departure dates must be advised to MCRRH as soon as possible.

9. Accommodation availability
   Subsidised accommodation is limited.
   MCRRH reserves the right to:

   • Limit accommodation for longer placements

   • Decline applications even if eligibility criteria are met, based on availability and operational requirements

Murtupuni Centre for Rural & Remote Health (MCRRH) offers free, subsidised student accommodation for eligible nursing, midwifery, and allied health students undertaking rural and remote placements across Mount Isa, the North West, Central West, and Weipa / Thursday Island. Accommodation is fully supported through Australian Government funding under the Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training (RHMT) Program, helping to reduce financial barriers and ensure students have access to safe, practical accommodation while completing their placement.

• Placement must be formally confirmed by your university before applying

• Eligible students will receive an invitation to apply for MCRRH accommodation

• Complete the accommodation application form (Mt Isa online form only), including all required details

• Provide supporting documentation (e.g. placement confirmation and CSP evidence, where required)

• Accommodation requests must be submitted at least six (6) weeks prior to your placement start date and forms must be completed and submitted no later than (2) weeks prior to your placement start date

• Applications are assessed against RHMT eligibility criteria and accommodation availability

• Once approved, you will receive a confirmation email with your accommodation allocation

• Check-in details, arrival instructions, and key information will be provided prior to arrival

• Late applications may be considered subject to availability, but cannot be guaranteed

Students are required to notify MCRRH as soon as possible of any changes to their placement dates or if their placement is cancelled. Changes must be advised at least 14 days prior to the placement start date. Requests received within 14 days may not be accommodated due to operational and accommodation constraints.

If a placement is cancelled, students must notify MCRRH immediately. Late cancellations or failure to arrive on the confirmed check-in date without notice (no-shows) may result in loss of accommodation and may impact eligibility for future accommodation support.

Accommodation is a limited, government-funded resource, and timely communication ensures fair access for all students. Placement host organisations do not manage accommodation changes — this responsibility sits with the student and their university.

Your Room

Each student is provided with:

• A private, lockable bedroom

• King-single bed

• Airconditioning

• Wardrobe or storage space

• Study desk and chair

• Linen and towels supplied
  (Students may bring their own linen, doon & pillow if preferred)

Shared Living Areas

Students have shared access to:

• Fully equipped kitchen (fridge, stove/oven, microwave, cookware, utensils)

• Shared bathroom facilities

• Living and dining areas

• Laundry facilities (washing machine; drying facilities vary by site)

Utilities & Connectivity

Accommodation includes:

• Electricity and water

• Internet/Wi-Fi (Eduroam)
  (Mobile coverage varies by location — Telstra services generally provide the most reliable coverage in remote areas)

Parking & Location

• On-site or nearby parking is available at most locations

• Accommodation is located close to health services and within walking distance to town amenities

Shared Living Expectations

MCRRH accommodation is shared student housing. All residents are expected to:

• Be respectful of other students, disciplines, and organisations

• Keep shared spaces clean and tidy

• Follow house rules and local accommodation guidelines

• Be mindful of noise, privacy, and cultural safety

MCRRH student accommodation is shared housing used by students from multiple health disciplines. To ensure a safe, respectful, and comfortable environment for everyone, all residents are required to follow the rules below.

General Conduct

• Treat all residents, neighbours, staff, and visitors with respect and courtesy

• Behave in a manner consistent with professional standards expected of health students

• Aggressive, intimidating, discriminatory, or disrespectful behaviour will not be tolerated

Shared Living

• Clean up after yourself in all shared areas, including kitchens, bathrooms, and living spaces

• Do not leave personal belongings or food items in shared areas unnecessarily

• Be mindful that others may be working shifts, studying, or resting

Noise & Quiet Enjoyment

• Keep noise to a reasonable level at all times

• Quiet hours apply between 10:00pm and 7:00am

• Music, phone calls, and social gatherings should not disrupt other residents

Guests

• No overnight guests are permitted at any MCRRH accommodation

• Day visitors may be allowed provided they:

  • Are respectful of other residents

  • Do not use shared facilities excessively

  • Do not stay late or overnight

• Residents are responsible for the behaviour of their visitors

Alcohol, Smoking & Substances

• Alcohol consumption must be responsible and must not impact other residents

• Smoking and vaping are not permitted inside accommodation

• Illegal substances are strictly prohibited

Safety & Security

• Keep doors and windows locked when leaving the property

• Do not provide access codes or keys to others

• Report maintenance issues, safety concerns, or incidents promptly

Property & Facilities

• Accommodation and furnishings must be treated with care

• Damage, loss, or misuse of property may result in repair or replacement costs

• Personal electrical appliances must be used safely and appropriately

Check-in, Check-out & Absences

• Check-in and check-out dates must align with confirmed placement dates

• If you will be away overnight or returning late, please notify the accommodation team

• Failure to check in without notice may be considered a no-show

• While room allocations are made to enhance the student experience by encouraging interaction with students from different disciplines and backgrounds, we understand that there may be circumstances where you would prefer to be accommodated with someone you know, such as if you are travelling or carpooling together. If you have a reasonable request, please contact us as early as possible to discuss your accommodation needs.

  Please note that while we will do our best to accommodate requests, changes cannot be guaranteed and are subject to availability.

Breaches of House Rules

Failure to comply with these rules may result in:

• A formal warning

• Removal from accommodation

• Notification to the student’s university

• Impact on eligibility for future MCRRH accommodation

Our accommodation is shared with students from different universities, disciplines and backgrounds. We ask all residents to be respectful, considerate and professional to help create a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.

Room sizes and bathroom arrangements vary between properties, with some rooms offering ensuite facilities. Rooms are allocated according to availability and cannot generally be assigned based on personal preference.

If you have a specific accommodation need or requirement, please contact the Multidisciplinary Training Facilitator for your placement region before your arrival to discuss how we may be able to support you

Most student arrive on the weekend or out of normal office hours. Depending on location, your accommodation keys will be made available to you so you can access your accommodation safely. The local student accommodation team will advise you on how to access your accommodation based on the location. Please ensure you read your emails carefully and in full. 

While we understand that you may wish to have family, friends or pets stay with you during your placement, MCRRH accommodation has a strict no overnight visitors or pets policy.

If you are found to have an unauthorised person or pet staying at the property, your accommodation may be cancelled, and you will be required to arrange and pay for alternative accommodation for the remainder of your placement.

North West Queensland can be very hot, particularly during the warmer months. Conditions can also change quickly during the wet season, and heavy rainfall may affect roads and travel.

Bring suitable clothing, sun protection and a reusable water bottle. Stay hydrated and avoid unnecessary outdoor activity during extreme heat.

Larger centres generally have supermarkets, pharmacies, medical services and other facilities. Smaller communities may have limited opening hours, product availability and health services.

Plan ahead, particularly if you have dietary requirements or need particular medications or personal products. Get you know your placement location and region by checking out our region information pages here

Mobile coverage varies considerably across the regions. Reception may be reliable in larger communities but limited or unavailable while travelling or visiting more remote locations.

Telstra generally provides the most consistent coverage across North West, Central West and Far North Queensland. If your current mobile service is with another provider, we recommend purchasing a temporary Telstra prepaid SIM card for the duration of your placement.

Do not rely solely on your phone for navigation. Download important information and offline maps before travelling, and ensure someone knows your planned route and expected arrival time.

Yes - Although long-distance driving requires thoughtful early preparation. If driving:

• Check road and weather conditions
• Have your vehicle serviced before departure
• Carry water, food and essential supplies
• Avoid driving when fatigued
• Avoid driving at dawn, dusk or night where possible
• Be alert for livestock and wildlife
• Tell someone your route and expected arrival time
• Do not drive through floodwater or closed roads

Distances can be much greater than they appear on a map, so allow additional time and schedule regular breaks. Please see the Safe Driving in the North West download on the Student Resources page prior to travelling