RFDS Commercial Travellers Association 4th year Medical Student Scholarship

IMPORTANT - There is a requirement for all 4th year students to undertake an assessable four-week clinical placement or equivalent as an elective. The elective period is mid-November to 30 January each year.

The University of Tasmania requires an indicative idea of the student’s destination by 1 April and their final elective plans must be submitted before 1 October annually.

Eligibility

• Available to a student entering 4th year of a Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine (H3X) in 2026 who is either from a remote or rural area and/or has expressed an interest in working in remote or rural areas.
• Selection will be determined on the basis of:
  • demonstrated academic merit;
  • high level communication skills;
  • an interest in and understanding of contemporary rural health issues;
  • a demonstrated intention to undertake a clinical placement in rural health in a remote or rural area (an essential criteria) as their elective placement;
  • and an ability and willingness to act as an ambassador promoting the RFDS and the Tasmanian School of Medicine.
• Preference is for a student from Tasmania.
• No previous RFDS experience is required.
• The recipient must be available for the RFDS Scholarship Presentations held at the beginning of the year following their placement.
• To be eligible for this scholarship, your placement must take place in a location classified as MM 5, MM 6 or MM 7 under the Modified Monash Model (MMM). While the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) uses the term "rural and remote" to broadly describe areas outside Australia's major cities,  scholarship eligibility is limited to placements in MM 5 to MM 7 locations to ensure funding is directed to students undertaking placements in rural, remote and very remote communities, and where RFDS focuses service delivery. Click here for more information about the Modified Monash Model.

Placements in locations outside the MM 5 to MM 7 classification range may be considered in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the RFDS. Eligibility will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the location, community need, and alignment with the objectives of the scholarship.

On-going Eligibility

• Remain enrolled in a full-time 100% load (4 x 12.5% units or equivalent)

Amount

$4,000 to be provided to each recipient to fund travel and expenses incurred as part of the clinical placement.

Duration

Four weeks between November 2026 and January 2027.

Opening Date

27 August 2026

Closing Date

February 2027

Apply

Apply online prior to closing date. Applications cannot be submitted after closing date.As applicants will be assessed on the quality of application, all questions should be answered in full. Please ensure care is taken with spelling and grammar.

Application status

OPEN