Australia return placement
In accordance with the Australian Medical Council (AMC) requirements, Year 4 UQ-Ochsner MD students are required to complete their Return Placement during the eight (8) week Clinical Extension term in Australia, at a GBCS, RCS or Rural UQ location. Students are responsible for all costs incurred with this placement.
Refer to the following information regarding the Australia Return Placement.
Orientation and Year 4 Introductory Week
All UQ-Ochsner students are required to attend in-person Orientation Activities at Ochsner. Attendance is compulsory. These activities are separate from those conducted in Brisbane and include hands-on simulations and other activities that require in-person participation. Virtual attendance is not an option.
During the Introductory Weeks for each semester, Year 4 students also participate in a symposium covering important information about the Match, MSPEs, residency applications and other Year 4 requirements.
Introductory Week activities are scheduled Monday through Thursday, leaving Friday available for travel.
Travel and Placement Arrangements
Travel time varies depending on your scheduled block. Students returning for Block 3 have a scheduled break week available for travel. Students returning for Blocks 2 and 4 do not have a break week and may request Friday off for travel from their Ochsner Program Manager, provided all required assessments have been completed.
Students who miss any scheduled time due to travel must submit an Absence Notification Form.
Regardless of your scheduled block, you must contact the appropriate course and site leads in Brisbane at least two weeks before the start of your placement to confirm reporting instructions. You should also communicate directly with your course and site leads if you anticipate or experience any travel delays.
End-of-Semester Examinations
Requests to sit end-of-semester examinations in Brisbane are considered on a case-by-case basis. For requirements and instructions, refer to the External Overseas Examinations section of the Key Guidelines page.
ID Cards
Please remember to bring the following:
- UQ student ID card
- Medical student ID card
Should you forget either of these IDs, you will be required to request a new one. Student Central at St. Lucia can print your ID cards, further details on requesting this online can be found here.
Passports
For students who need to renew their passport, please refer to renewal processing times and plan in advance for any delays.
Australian National Police Certificate
All students (Domestic, International and Ochsner) are required to maintain a current Australian National Police Certificate (i.e. no older than three (3) years) throughout the duration of their program. Therefore, all students will be required to organise, fund, and maintain a National Police Certificate as a minimum pre-placement legal check. Please complete a National Police Certificate application through the Australian Federal Police and send through a new certificate to med.placements@uq.edu.au prior to the expiry of your current certificate.
Important Travel Requirements - International Travel
All students undertaking Work Integrated Learning opportunities overseas MUST complete the below requirements, or they WILL NOT be covered by UQ insurance:
- Register with International SOS (ISOS) - see further details below.
- Complete the Student International Travel Declaration
Registering with International SOS (ISOS)
All students undertaking Work Integrated Learning opportunities 50km away from their usual campus MUST register with International SOS (ISOS).
ISOS provides UQ travellers with:
- 24/7 pre-departure medical, safety, and security advice.
- Routine and emergency assistance while travelling.
- Support during crises, including locating and confirming traveller safety.
Housing Accommodations
There are many accommodation options available, including on-campus colleges, approved providers and private rentals. You can explore your options here. Another site to view is Renting in Queensland.
Overseas Student Health Cover Refund Process
Students are entitled to apply for Overseas Student Health Cover credit for the time out of Australia during the clinical years. Please refer to the process below. View the OSHC Refund Tips guide composed by the UQ-Ochsner Class of 2022.
Following the official UQ MD graduation ceremony (not the culmination ceremony) the student must obtain a Completion Statement from UQ. This letter confirms the student’s enrolment in the UQ-Ochsner MD program and the dates the student returned to Australia to complete their return rotation. Please submit a request through MyRequests. Students must add an additional item to the request with the text: 'I require additional wording from the Faculty of Medicine for my OSHC refund.' You must also include the dates of your arrival and departure for your Year 4 return placement.
The student then needs to submit the OSHC Refund Form to the on-campus representative or via email (oshc@allianzcare.com.au). The refund form and the letter needs to be accompanied with a copy of their return ticket back to the United States and a copy of the photo page of their passport (if a departure stamp is available, please also send a copy of this in). Allianz will then process their refund into the nominated bank account (Australian or overseas) within ten working days.
Refer to Overseas Student Health Cover for International Students.