The Rural Clinical School (RCS) has numerous accommodation sites along the North West of Tasmania, all of which aim to provide students with comfortable and affordable accommodation options. Whilst priority is given to students studying at the RCS, accommodation may be available for students studying in other fields on short-term placements.
We acknowledge that our students have different preferences or accommodation needs, therefore students have the option of accommodation at the Atrium Apartments or RCS residential accommodation, all of which are located within close proximity to the North West Area Health Services (NWAHS) Burnie, and the RCS.
Students who prefer more independent living arrangements may prefer to rent privately. Students are welcome to make their own arrangements for sharing properties, with a copy of the lease being required to enable an accommodation bursary to be paid. Private rental accommodation close to the RCS and the NWAHS may be difficult to secure and would need to be arranged well in advance of the academic year.
High quality accommodation is offered to RCS students whilst on hospital rotations at the Mersey Hospital.
Students completing their final year with the RCS are also provided accommodation whilst on their Remote Medical Attachments at various sites in the North of Tasmania. Students completing their electives are also able to utilise this accommodation.
The RCS' Atrium Apartments provide high quality accommodation for students and visiting health professionals. Located adjacent to the University’s Cradle Coast Campus (CCC), they are a short drive or 15 minute walk from the RCS and the North West Area Health Services (NWAHS), in Burnie.
The Apartments are situated off Mills Road, in a quiet residential area, close to a bus stop that accesses the CBD.
There are six apartments in total, with five bedrooms in each and a mixture of standard and ensuite rooms. Each apartment is fully self-contained and has an internal courtyard. Two outdoor BBQ facilities are available for use.
The Apartments were built with a grant from the Australian Government’s Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) in recognition of the importance of providing affordable quality accommodation for students studying in rural areas.
Although MBBS Year 4 and 5 students undertaking a full clinical academic year at the RCS are given priority, accommodation may also be available for medical, pharmacy and nursing students on short-term clinical programs in the region, and for visiting health professionals, subject to availability.
The Apartments are linked by a short pathway to the CCC which has 24-hour student facilities, a wine bar/café, a health and wellbeing centre and a student lounge.
A small supermarket is within easy walking distance of the Apartments and the Burnie CBD is an approximate 25 minute walk away.
If accommodation is unavailable at the Atrium Apartments, or unsuitable for particular students’ needs, the RCS can provide advice regarding alternative accommodation options.
In addition to the Atrium Apartments, the Rural Clinical School (RCS) leases numerous residential properties within close proximity to the North West Area Health Services (NWAHS), Burnie, the RCS and public transport to the CBD. These properties are able to house 3 – 4 full-time medical students, all of which are fully self-contained and are serviced by a groundsman.
The Rural Clinical School (RCS) offers high quality, fully self-contained accommodation at Latrobe and South Spreyton for students undertaking hospital rotations at the Mersey Community Hospital (MCH). RCS students are not charged additional rent whilst utilising these sites. The houses are fully furnished, complete with bedding and linen. RCS students are expected to be responsible for their own cleaning and catering. Houses are professionally cleaned prior to use and serviced with a cleaner prior to stay, along with groundsman. Students can easily access public transport to Latrobe/Devonport areas from the houses. The two Latrobe properties are in walking distance to the MCH.
Rural Clinical School (RCS) students undertaking clinical placements and electives in remote locations have access to accommodation and facilities at RHTS in Smithton, Queenstown and King Island. These sites are part of a network of RHTS throughout Tasmania.
Rural and remote placements are well supported by local health professionals and the wider local community, enabling students to experience the richness of rural community life while gaining valuable clinical experience.
