Inbound Medical Elective Program

Applications are processed on a rolling basis and can be accepted no earlier than 6 months and no later than 4 months prior to your requested commenced date.  

Required Application Documentation and Eligibility

The following documentation must be submitted with your application.

• Official Academic Transcript

This must include a grading scheme (certified English translation if the original is not in English). Applicants must meet the requirement of equivalent Grade Point Average (GPA) 4.5 on a 7 point scale. If your home university utilises a grading scale different from the 7-point system, please ensure that your academic transcript reflects a passing grade.

• UQ Medical Elective Authorisation Form

Completed and authorised by your Educational Institution.  The form can be found here.

• English Language Proficiency (if studies are not in English)

a) Statement of English language proficiency supplied by your home University;
or
b) IELTS with an overall score of 7.0 and a score of 7.0 in each sub-band (reading, writing, speaking, listening) within 2 years of your application

• Application fee*

Application fee of $100

Submit my application 

 Pay $100 application fee

Please allow between 2- 8 weeks for your application to receive an outcome.  Students are encouraged to contact med.placements@uq.edu.au for a status update.

If you are successful in securing an elective, you will receive a formal Letter of Offer. You must confirm acceptance of this offer no later than seven (7) calendar days and pay the elective fee of AU$1,000.00. 

You are then required to provide the Post Acceptance Documentation listed below to med.placements@uq.edu.au no later than 4 weeks prior to commencement. 
 

Post Acceptance Documentation

• Immunisation Evidence 

Queensland Health VPD Evidence form and TB Risk Assessment Questionnaire - The VPD form must be completed and signed by a medical practitioner.

• Blue Card (Queensland Working with Children Check)

It is a mandatory government requirement for all students completing an elective in Queensland to hold a current Blue Card whilst on placement. 
For steps on how to obtain a Blue Card, please see details in the Blue Card Information tab, and on this page.

• Criminal History Check

The type of Criminal History Check depends on what type of student you are:

Domestic Students
Complete an Australian National Police Certificate application through the Australian Federal Police - you should select the purpose as ‘37 (Care, instruction or supervision of children/ Care of intellectually disabled persons / Aged Care staff/volunteers)’.

International Students 
Complete an Australian National Police Certificate application through the Australian Federal Police - you should select the purpose as ‘37 (Care, instruction or supervision of children/ Care of intellectually disabled persons / Aged Care staff/volunteers)’
AND 
Complete a Statutory Declaration stating that you have never, in Australia or another country, been convicted of murder or sexual assault, or convicted of, and sentenced to imprisonment for, any other form of assault. You must use this Statutory Declaration template (no other versions will be accepted), and have it signed by an approved witness. If there is any reason why you are unable to sign this Statutory Declaration, you need to discuss this with the Faculty's Work Integrated Learning (WIL) team immediately.

• Queensland Health Student Deed Poll

1. Deed Poll for students enrolled at Australian education institutions
2. Deed Poll (Externally Enrolled Scholars) for students enrolled at International education institutions 

• Queensland Health Orientation Checklist

Complete the Student Orientation Checklist* by indicating you have read and understood the policies and requirements, and agree to comply with these. Note that this requires immunisation history as well as completed iLearn tasks.
Instructions for completing Checklist requirements can be found on this page - Queensland Health Requirements
*Disregard the Aged Care, NDIS Worker, and Corrective Services criminal history check sections. 

• P2-N95 Respirator Fit Test Certification 

Students are required to be P2/N95 mask fit tested prior to commencing placement. Acceptable fit tests must include:

• Brand and Model of Respirator – 3M 1870+; Trident RTCFFP2; Halyard. These mask types are generally available at all clinical sites. If the mask you are fit tested for is not available at your clinical site, you may be required to be retested for available mask types.
• Testing Protocol – ANSI Z.88.10, ISO 16975-3, OSHA 1910.134 (US), ANSI Z.88.10 (US), INDG-479 (UK), HSE 282/28 (UK)
• Date of Test – as per Australian Standards, all fit test certifications will expire 12 months after the certification date. Students are required to hold a valid fit test certificate for the duration of their placement.

a) Have you been P2/N95 mask fit tested? If so, please provide evidence of the P2/N95 mask for which you have been approved (including testing methodology/standard and test date) along with the completed form.

b) If you have not been fit tested, please contact Keys Human Resources via the details below to arrange a respirator fit test to be conducted prior to the commencement of your clinical placement:

Keys Human Resources
Ph: 1300 096 617
E: fittesting@keyshr.com
W: https://www.fittestingservices.com.au
Book Your Fit Test Here

Fit test fees approximately AUD$75 per respirator test. Once you have successfully completed the fit test you will be issued with a cert. card – please send a copy to the Faculty's Work Integrated Learning (WIL) team at med.placements@uq.edu.au.

• Elective Placement Fee

Elective placement fee of AUD$1,000
 

Pay $1000 placement fee

Prior to Elective Placement

Please ensure you contact the Clinical Unit (contact details included in the Letter of Offer) as soon as possible and no later than four weeks prior to your elective start date. The Clinical Unit will provide you with a site specific welcome pack that will assist you in preparing for your elective and provide first day instructions.

What is a Blue Card?

Blue Card Services administers the blue card system – Queensland’s Working With Children Check.  Working with children checks provide a check of a person’s criminal history and is also an ongoing assessment of your eligibility to work with children while you are on placement. This is a mandatory requirement for all students completing an elective in Queensland.

If you don’t already have a Blue Card you will need to apply for one as long as you are not a disqualified person.  If you are a disqualified person, it is an offence to apply for a Blue Card and penalties may apply.  If you have an existing valid Blue Card, please contact the Faculty's Work Integrated Learning (WIL) team for more information.   If your card is due to expire, you will need to renew it before it expires.

• Application time: Blue Cards processing time takes a minimum of 28 days plus internal processing time at UQ. 
  Can take longer if further investigation is needed.
• Cost: $0 (students are classed as volunteers)

• Student residing in Queensland
• Student residing interstate or internationally

How to Apply - Students residing in Queensland

Step 1:

You will need a Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) customer reference number (CRN) in order to prove your identity to Blue Card Services.

You can find your customer reference number in the top right area on the front of a range of TMR products including a Queensland driver’s license or proof of age card. 

If you don’t already have a Queensland TMR customer reference number, you will need to obtain one before you can progress your Blue Card application. To obtain a TMR customer reference number, check which identity and Queensland residential address documents you will need, then take these documents to a TMR centre in person and request a customer reference number.

Step 2:

Register for an online account and receive your Blue Card account number. Please visit the Queensland Government application portal and have your CRN ready. If asked, ensure you enter The University of Queensland as your institution.

Step 3:

Once you have received your Blue Card account number please email it to the Faculty's Work Integrated Learning team who will link you to UQ. 

Step 4:

Once you have been notified by Blue Card Services that you have been linked to UQ, you need to log in to the Blue Card applicant portal and apply for a Blue Card.

Step 5:

Once Blue Card Services have approved your application, you should receive a ‘Blue Card Application Approved’ via email and your new Blue Card will be mailed to your nominated address. UQ will also be notified that your card has been approved so there is nothing further for you to do.

How to Apply - Interstate and International students

If you are unable to attend a Queensland TMR in person, it is possible to apply for a CRN using a Remote Pack, however this is a lengthy process.  Please allow sufficient time if applying via a Remote Pack.

We strongly recommend that you closely follow the instructions provided in the ‘Getting a Customer Reference Number’ resource to complete your application.

Step 1: Prepare your application

To obtain your CRN offshore you will need to complete the following documentation:

• New Customer/Photo and Signature Remote Application (Form F5342)
• Evidence of Identity (EOI): Photocopy 3 x Evidence of Identity (EOI) documents (For example, your EOI documents might comprise of a foreign passport + temporary visa + student identity document (Australian Universities only) OR bank card. Must be signed in the presence of an approved witness.
• 2 x identical colour 35mm (W) x 45mm (L) photographs must be provided. Both photographs must be signed on the back of an approved witness. One photograph must be signed on the reverse side by an approved witness with the words: "I certify this is a true photograph of (the applicant) in my presence."

Step 2: Document witnessing

Many of your documents will need to be signed in the presence of an approved witness. An approved witness is a:

• police officer
• medical practitioner
• consular or ambassadorial officer
• solicitor, barrister or judge
• Justice of the Peace or a Commissioner for Declarations
• Notary Public or a person authorised by law to witness and sign declarations.

It is important that you take note of the approved witness requirements outlined above.

Step 3: Send application to QLD Department of Transport and Main Roads

The Manager

Department of Transport and Main Roads

Dalby Customer Service Centre

PO Box 767

Dalby QLD 4405

Step 4: Receive Customer Reference Number (CRN)

TMR will process your application and send your CRN to the address you supplied on the New Customer Application form.

Once you have received your CRN, you can then apply for a blue card as per the steps below.

Step 5: Register for a Blue Card Account

Once you have your CRN, you will need it to register for a Blue Card Services online account before you can apply for your Blue Card. You only need to register once. You can register here for a Blue Card Services online account. Take note of your Blue Card account number when you register for your account. If asked, ensure you enter The University of Queensland as your institution.

Offshore International Students can use the Faculty of Medicine address as below, to register for a Blue Card Services online account:

Level 5 Student Hub, Oral Health Centre

The University of Queensland

288 Herston Road,

Herston QLD, 4006

Australia

Step 6: Link Your Account

Once you have received your Blue Card account number, please email it to the Work Integrated Learning team - med.placements@uq.edu.au

Step 7: Complete Blue Card Application

Once you have been notified by Blue Card Services that you have been linked to UQ, you need to log in to the Blue Card applicant portal and complete your application to apply for a Blue Card.

Step 8: Application Approved

Once Blue Card Services have approved your application, you should receive a ‘Blue Card Application Approved’ notification via email and your new Blue Card will be mailed to your nominated address. UQ will also be notified that your card has been approved so there is nothing further for you to do

Students attending Queensland Universities, and our partnership universities, are exempt from any application and placement fees.

Application and Placement fees for all other students are payable through UQ Payments via Visa or Mastercard.  

Application Fee: $100
Placement Fee: $1000

Pay fees here

Please note: we will not be able to continue processing your application or confirm your clinical placement until all the required payment receipts are received.

Refunds

The AUD$100 registration fee is non-refundable whether or not we are able to match you to a suitable discipline, site and time or if the placement is cancelled by the student. 

After accepting an offered placement, the AUD$1000 placement fee will be charged and is non-refundable.

Students from Queensland Universities (Bond, Griffith, and James Cook University) wishing to undertake an elective from South East Queensland north to Rockhampton must formally apply via the UQ Medical School. 
Any medical electives north of Rockhampton are administered by James Cook University.​

Queensland students (Bond, Griffith, and James Cook University) will not be required to pay the application or placement fees. 

Visa information

If you are from overseas you may be required to apply for a visa to enter Australia.

The University of Queensland cannot provide information to international students regarding visas. For more information about the type of visa you require, or the conditions of your visa, please contact the Department of Home Affairs.

Please note: The University of Queensland will not act as a sponsor for students who wish to undertake their elective in Queensland.

It is the student's obligation to ensure they have the correct visa for the placement.

Prior to Application/General Info

The periods do not include December.  Can I apply for December still?

No. December is often a period where many hospital and administrative staff are on leave; therefore unable to provide appropriate supervision and/or administration support.

If I am travelling with someone else will we be placed at the same hospital?

We will attempt to place students travelling as a group together, but this cannot be guaranteed. Please make a note of who you are travelling with in the last section of the online application form.

Will I get a UQ student card?

Elective students do not pay UQ university tuition fees so are not eligible for a UQ student card or student number. You will receive a hospital card which cannot be used as a student card.

Is there accommodation supplied?

Students need to arrange their own accommodation.  Suggestions for accommodation can be provided upon request.  

What happens once I submit my application?

Once we have received your application we will send an acknowledgment email. It can take 6-8 weeks to process the application, however this may take longer depending on staffing demands. 

If I get an offer but it’s not what I really want, can I be made a different offer?

No, only one offer will be made to each applicant. Should this offer be declined, no further offers will be made and the application will be deemed to be withdrawn. You will not be refunded your application fee.

Am I eligible for student concession on public transport?

TransLink policy states that only students who are enrolled full-time in a Queensland University are eligible for a concession on public transport. If you are a student from an interstate/international university you will not be eligible for student concession on Public Transport.  Your student ID card from your home country will not be accepted on public transport here.

What if I am sick and require time off?

If you are away sick for 2 or more days, you will be required to provide a doctor's certificate. You will also need to advise your Hospital Coordinator if you are unable to attend your elective.

Documentation

My University does not grade on a 7 point scale.  Can I still apply with my transcript?

We understand that not all Medical Schools grade using a 7 point scale, however we do require applicants hold average to above average results in their university studies to date. 

Can the school complete a form required by my University once I do my elective?

Yes, this form can be completed to confirm your attendance and can include you have the same rights and responsibilities as a local student. We cannot provide a graded assessment.

Enquiries please contact: med.placements@uq.edu.au