Education
We deliver a high-quality education program designed to build an effective health workforce committed to the health needs of rural communities throughout Australia.
Our education programs include all major health fields, forming a vibrant collaborative academic hub based at our campuses in Lismore and Grafton. We are supported by our teaching and accommodation hubs in Ballina, Maclean and Casino, and a range of partner and placement sites across the Northern Rivers.
We place hundreds of students every year from universities across Australia. We are part of the Australian Rural Health Education Network, an alliance of Commonwealth funded university departments of rural health across Australia, all committed to delivering high-quality rural health education, research and advocacy.
Many of our students return to work in rural areas while all of them develop a better understanding of the specific needs of rural communities.
In addition to our university partners, we operate in close collaboration with the Northern NSW Local Health District and providers of health services in the region.
Type of Placements
UCRH supports students in many disciplines, including but not exclusively:
Allied Health
- Aboriginal Health
- Audiology
- Counselling
- Dentistry
- Diagnostic, Radiology Therapy and Nuclear Medicine
- Exercise Physiology
- Nutrition and Dietetics
- Occupational Therapy
- Oral Health
- Paramedicine
- Pharmacy
- Physiotherapy
- Podiatry and Pedorthics
- Psychology
- Social Work
- Speech Pathology
- Sonography
Medicine
- Aboriginal Health
- Addiction Medicine
- Anaesthetics
- Emergency Medicine
- General Medicine
- General Practice
- ICU
- Midwifery
- Nursing
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Orthopaedics
- Paediatrics
- Psychiatry
- Specialty Medicine
- Surgery
Other
- Midwifery
- Nursing
Support is available to Australian domestic students who are enrolled in a Bachelor or higher-level degree program.
Learn more about our Allied Health Program
Learn more about our Medicine Program offered to medical students from the University of Sydney, University of Wollongong and Western Sydney University.
What To Expect
When undertaking a placement with us, students enjoy an immersive educational experience in a stunning region. Students are welcomed on their first day by our staff and go through an orientation session. As part of placement, students benefit from:
- Personal support from a team of education staff.
- A regional health orientation.
- Subsidised accommodation for eligible students.
- Access to after-hours study facilities with computers, internet, printer, library, lounge and kitchen (Lismore only).
- Practical information and personal support before and during placements.
- Social support, wellbeing activities and events.
- Video conferencing to your university’s lectures and tutorials.
- Service learning projects.
We offer a rich and varied program of lectures, workshops and learning opportunities designed to enhance your home university’s education program and to help you develop a multidisciplinary approach to health care.
We also run the BeConnected Social Program to help students meet and socialise with others while on placement.
Students can participate in our Interprofessional Education Program which provides a range of opportunities such as accredited courses, clinical case discussions and lectures by visiting academics and health professionals.
Students are strongly encouraged to participate in our Aboriginal Health Education Program which provides access to lectures and workshops with UCRH Aboriginal Educators. It also includes health promotion and immersion opportunities engaging with local Aboriginal communities, cultural competency programs and placements in Aboriginal services.
Student Support
Every student on placement with us will have the assistance of our teams of academic and professional staff in the lead up to your placement and during your stay.
Our Education Support Officers will also help you with health and wellbeing, social connections, accommodation, and linking you into additional educational opportunities.
Campus Locations
Our Lismore Campus is located opposite the Lismore Base Hospital at 61 Uralba Street, Lismore. From Lismore we support placements around Lismore, Byron Bay, Ballina, Kyogle, Nimbin, Casino, Tabulam, Bonalbo, Rappville, Evans Head, Coraki and Woodburn.
Our Grafton Campus is located at the Grafton Base Hospital at 174 Arthur Street, Grafton. From Grafton we support placements across the Clarence Valley including Grafton, Maclean, Harwood, Iluka and Yamba.
Student Facilities
We provide students with practical accommodation help. We offer accommodation in Ballina, Lismore, Casino and Maclean. We also offer eligible students a subsidy for external/private accommodation and we can provide information about this on request.
We also provide students access to a dedicated Student Study Space at our Lismore Campus. This has computers, printer, internet access with EduRoam, lockers, lounges and a kitchen. The study space is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
More information and photographs of our accommodation and student facilities can be found on our website.
Our Region
The Northern Rivers is a beautiful region to come to for your placement. You can explore a stunning natural environment rich with a diverse and deep cultural landscape. From the back alleys of Lismore to the beaches of Byron, there is something to appeal to everyone. We know our students love being able to explore the region’s villages and towns, visit the numerous art galleries to be found or get their groove on at one of the many renowned music festivals staged every year.
Our world-famous coastline is a natural drawcard, whether for surfing or swimming but so is the hinterland and it’s walking tracks, national parks and stunning scenery. Food reigns supreme in the Northern Rivers with an extraordinary array of farmers’ markets, award-winning restaurants, and some of the best coffee you’ll find in the country.
For more information about what to enjoy while on placement in the Northern Rivers please explore Visit NSW Northern Rivers.
Register Your Placement
If you would like to complete a placement in the Northern Rivers but don’t have a placement already assigned, please register your placement using the link below. One of our team members will contact you once registered to discuss what options are available.
If you have already been allocated a placement in the region would like to link into the services the UCRH campuses offer, please register your placement.
If you would like to know what accommodation is available during your placement, you are required to register. We will then contact you to discuss what is available.
