UCRH-facilitated rural medical placements will return to Murwillumbah in July when we resume longstay medicine student placements in the town for the first time since 2020. The return follows a change to the area’s rural classification, reopening opportunities for us to support medical education and workforce development on the Tweed.
UCRH previously ran a successful medicine placement program in Murwillumbah, working with University of Wollongong students across local general practices and Murwillumbah Hospital. The program concluded in 2020 after the town’s Modified Monash Model classification – the means through which funding eligibility for rural training activities is determined – was reviewed, which meant we no longer had access to funding for the program.
Following the 2025 Census update, Murwillumbah has again been reclassified. The change allows us to recommence placements and respond to strong interest from local clinicians and practices who had consistently reported positive experiences hosting students.
From July, four University of Wollongong longstay medicine students will be placed in Murwillumbah through a collaboration with the Northern NSW Academic Health Alliance. Students will undertake integrated placements in local general practices and at Murwillumbah Hospital, gaining sustained, community based clinical experience while contributing to local health services.
The return of students reflects UCRH’s focus on education and workforce development and its role in supporting rural communities to grow and sustain their future medical workforce. Longstay placements are a key pathway for encouraging graduates to consider rural practice and we’re excited by the opportunity to work with the local health community again.
Job opportunities in Murwillumbah
To support the return of medicine students, two part time roles based at the Murwillumbah Hospital Education Centre are now being advertised. Both roles will be directly employed by the University of Wollongong’s Graduate School of Medicine.
Senior Lecturer in Medical Education, Murwillumbah
This role provides academic leadership for medicine in the Murwillumbah region and works closely with UCRH and local partners to coordinate student placements and strengthen regional education networks.
Learn more about this role here.
Placement Facilitator, Murwillumbah
This role supports the delivery of medical student placements across Murwillumbah and the NSW North Coast, working with students, preceptors and the Senior Lecturer to ensure high quality placement experiences.
Learn more about this role here.
Both roles play an important part in rebuilding a sustainable medicine placement program in Murwillumbah and strengthening connections between UCRH, the University of Wollongong, local clinicians and the local community.
