inspiring achievement
INTRODUCTION
The Doctor of Medicine (MD) Admissions Guide 2016 outlines the requirements and
processes for application to the Doctor of Medicine (MD) at Flinders University for
domestic applicants. Flinders University offers the MD in both South Australia and
the Northern Territory. The Guide will assist applicants to determine if they meet
the eligibility criteria for admission to the MD in South Australia and in the Northern
Territory. Details of the application and selection process, timelines and information
about sub-quotas and associated requirements are included.
In 2015 applications for 2016 admission will be made directly to Flinders University,
opening on 23 April 2015 and closing on 2 June 2015.
Flinders University will administer the application assessment process in collaboration
with the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC).
SATAC’s primary role is to:
• process applications received for this course on behalf of Flinders University
• assess the academic qualifications and other information presented by applicants
according to the rules and guidelines for the course provided by Flinders University
To maximise chances of gaining entry to the Doctor
of Medicine an applicant needs to:
• understand the procedures and deadlines for applying
• provide all the information and supporting documentation asked of them either by
Flinders University and / or SATAC, by the required deadline
• read and understand the terms and conditions of application when they apply
• carefully follow all the instructions given whilst applying and in any subsequent
communications
• pay any fees by the required date
• keep personal details up-to-date
The information provided by the applicant will:
• be used to identify the applicant as the owner of the data they have provided
• assist in the processes of retrieving information about qualifications and test results
from external agencies such as universities and other relevant authorities
• be used by SATAC to assess the application on behalf of Flinders University
• be passed to Flinders University if the applicant receives an offer of place so a
student record can be created
• be used for statutory reporting to the Australian government as indicated in the
terms and conditions of application
• potentially be used for research purposes relating to tertiary admissions, including
sharing of anonymous data for research conducted by Flinders approved institutions.
PLEASE NOTE
This guide provides information about the current eligibility criteria and application
process for entry to the MD. Further changes to the Flinders MD admission
requirements are under consideration for implementation from 2016. Applicants
should consult this website for any changes to the 2017 admission criteria from
2016 onwards: www.flinders.edu.au/MD/domadmissionreqs
2
Table of Contents
1. APPLICATION TIMELINE
4
2. ELIGIBILITY TO APPLY
2.1 Domestic Applicants
2.1.1 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants
2.2 Academic Requirements
2.3 GAMSAT minimum requirements
5
5
5
5
5
3. APPLICATION
6
4. SELECTION CRITERIA
4.1 Interview
4.2 Grade Point Average
4.3 Offers
4.4 Securing your place in the course
4.5 Deferral Requests
7
7
7
8
8
8
5. MEDICAL COURSE PLACES AND SUB-QUOTAS
5.1 Doctor of Medicine (MD) South Australia Places
5.2 Northern Territory Medical Program (NTMP)
5.3 Place Types
5.4 Sub-quotas
5.4.1 Flinders University Graduate Sub-quota
5.4.2 Non-Flinders University Graduate Sub-quota
5.4.3 Rural Sub-quota
5.4.4 Humanitarian Visa Sub-quota
5.4.5 Parallel Rural Community Curriculum (PRCC) Rural Sub-quota
9
9
10
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
6. MEDICAL RURAL BONDED SCHOLARSHIPS (MRBS)
13
7. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
7.1 Statutory Declarations
7.1.1 Rural Origin
7.1.2 Humanitarian Visa
7.1.3 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Origin
7.1.4 Northern Territory Residency Status
7.2 Academic Transcripts
7.3 Autobiographical Statement
7.4 Submission of Documentation
14
14
14
14
14
14
15
15
15
8. IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
8.1 Grounds for an Offer of Place to be Withdrawn
8.2 Registration with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
8.3 Health Requirements
8.4 Police Checks
16
16
16
16
16
9. CONTACTS
16
GLOSSARY
17
3
1. APPLICATION TIMELINE
2015 Doctor of Medicine (MD) Admissions Cycle for entry in 2016.
21 March 2015
Sit GAMSAT (registration closed 11 Feb 2015)
Mid-April 2015
Doctor of Medicine (MD) Admissions Guide 2016 published online
9.00am (ACST)
23 April 2015
11.59pm (ACST)
2 June 2015
Within five days of submission
of application and no later than
Applications open
Applications close
Change of preference closes
2 June 2015
Within five days of submission
of application and no later than
Payment of application processing fee due
2 June 2015
Within five days of
submission of application
Submission of statutory declarations and autobiographical
statements to Flinders University*
15 June 2015
Final date for submission of details of overseas qualifications and/or
qualifications from non-ARTs institutions
29 June 2015
Applicants shortlisted for first round of interviews notified
9 July to 11 July 2015
PRCC Rural Sub-quota Interviews
13 July to 21 July 2015
All other Interviews
From 19 August 2015
First offer round – offers may be made on a weekly basis until all
places filled
November 2015
Top up interviews and place offers, if required (applicants must
have lodged application by 2 June 2015)
Mid-February 2016
Year 1 of MD commences
*Please note documents submitted later than five days after application submission may not be accepted.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult the website for the most up to date timeline:
www.flinders.edu.au/MD/timeline
Flinders University retains the right to A) offer interviews outside of the above timelines and/or
B) introduce subsequent application or interview rounds details of which would be published at:
www.flinders.edu.au/MD/admissionoverview
4
2. ELIGIBILITY TO APPLY
IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR ENTRY INTO THE MD APPLICANTS MUST A) BE
CLASSIFIED AS A DOMESTIC APPLICANT, B) MEET MINIMUM ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
AND C) SIT THE GAMSAT (GRADUATE MEDICAL SCHOOL ADMISSIONS TEST) AND ACHIEVE
A MINIMUM SCORE IN EACH SECTION OF THE TEST.
1. Are you
classified as
a domestic
applicant?
YES
2. Have you
completed
or are you in
the final year
of a bachelor
degree?
2.1 DOMESTIC APPLICANTS
Australian citizens, Australian permanent
residents and New Zealand citizens
are classified as domestic applicants.
Applicants are required to meet domestic
eligibility criteria at the time of application.
Applicants who are in the process of
applying for permanent residency must
have residency confirmed before they
submit an application as a domestic
student. It is not possible to convert to a
domestic place if offered admission to the
MD as an international student.
Applicants who do not meet the domestic
classification above are international
applicants and are not eligible to apply
as domestic applicants. Details on how
to apply as an international applicant are
available at www.flinders.edu.au/MD/
intadmissionsreqs
2.1.1 ABORIGINAL AND/OR TORRES
STRAIT ISLANDER APPLICANTS
Eligible Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait
Islander applicants are encouraged to apply
and may be given special consideration
in the selection process (see also Special
Consideration Section 4.1). Applicants must
apply via the Flinders University Doctor of
Medicine Admissions Portal and must also
submit a document, signed under seal by
an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
organisation in the community from which
the applicant originates or is recognised,
confirming that the applicant is recognised
by that community. The applicant must
YES
3. Do you
have a current
GAMSAT score
and have
you met the
minimum
sections score
requirements?
YES
You are
eligible to
apply.
also submit a statutory declaration stating
that they are of Aboriginal and/or Torres
Strait Islander origin. These documents
must be provided within five days of
submission of application and no later than
2 June 2015. Please see Section 7 for further
information.
2.3 GAMSAT MINIMUM
REQUIREMENTS
Indigenous Entry Stream (IES)
Applicants must normally achieve a
minimum score of 50 for Sections I
(Reasoning in Humanities and Social
Sciences) and III (Reasoning in Biological and
Physical Sciences) and a minimum score of
46 for Section II (Written Communication).
In addition to minimum section score
requirements, applicants must also achieve
a minimum of 50 overall. The overall score
is calculated using the following formula:
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
graduates who do not have a current
GAMSAT result are able to apply for entry
into the course through the IES.
More information on the IES application
process is available at www.flinders.edu.
au/MD/indigenousapps
Note: Applications for 2016
entry are closed.
2.2 ACADEMIC
REQUIREMENTS
All domestic applicants are required to
have completed or be in the final year
of a Bachelor degree, either from an
Australian university or from another
tertiary institution of equivalent standard.
For applicants who have studied at
higher education level overseas, SATAC,
on behalf of Flinders University, will use
the guidelines agreed to and assess their
overseas qualifications and determine
its equivalence to higher education level
study offered by Australian institutions.
Please note Flinders University does not
have a 10 year rule. Applicants who hold a
Bachelor degree older than 10 years may
apply for entry to the MD.
Applicants are required to sit the GAMSAT
and achieve a minimum score in each
section of the test (www.gamsat.acer.
edu.au) to be eligible to apply for entry
into the course.
((1 x Section I) + (1 x Section II) +
(2 x Section III)) /4
GAMSAT results are valid for two years.
Applicants with two valid GAMSAT scores
may choose which score to use when
lodging their application.
Only one result from the following test
cycles can be used for 2016 entry:
GAMSAT Australia 2014; 2015
GAMSAT Ireland 2014; 2015
GAMSAT UK 2013; 2014
Please note neither ACER nor Flinders
University recommend, endorse or
have any association with commercial
GAMSAT preparation courses or texts.
ACER produces the only official GAMSAT
test preparation materials. For further
information please refer to:
www.gamsat.acer.edu.au
5
3. APPLICATION
• Applications open at 9.00am
Thursday 23 April 2015 and close
11.59pm Tuesday 2 June 2015 (all
times in ACST).
• Only applications submitted via
the Flinders University Doctor of
Medicine Admissions Portal will be
accepted. (www.flinders.edu.au/
MD/apply)
• No late applications will be accepted.
Academic Qualifications
• Preference selection is final after
the application closing date of
Tuesday 2 June 2015 and no
changes or additions can be made
to the application after this date.
Applicants must provide details of all
degrees (including PhD, Masters, etc.)
completed or due for completion in
the application year.
• Applications WILL NOT be
assessed and/or considered if the
application fee has not been paid
by Tuesday 2 June 2015.
• Applicants who need to change
their contact details after
applications close are to contact
[email protected]
and provide their full name, date
of birth, and application reference
number.
• In 2015 there will be a $77
non-refundable application fee.
Payment must be made by Tuesday
2 June 2015.
6
Applicants will be asked
to provide the following
information, in addition
to their personal details,
as part of the application
process:
Applicants do not need to provide
details of academic prizes or awards.
In many cases, for university study
undertaken in Australia, the University
can obtain results from these studies
on the applicant’s behalf, but for some
qualifications, such as overseas studies,
the applicant will need to provide
supporting documents.
For applicants who have studied at
higher education level overseas, SATAC
will use Flinders University guidelines
to assess overseas qualifications and
determine equivalence to higher
education level study offered by
Australian institutions.
For studies undertaken overseas,
applicants must supply certified copies
of all documents by Monday 15 June
2015, please see Section 7.2 for further
details.
If any of documents are in a language
other than English, applicants must
submit certified copies of both the
original documents and the full
translation. Transcript translations
must show results for all subjects
undertaken. All translations must be
certified by an independent accredited
translator.
It is the applicant’s responsibility to
comply with any requests to provide
further documentation, either in the
original language or translated into
English.
Graduate Medical
School Admissions Test
Applicants must provide GAMSAT
information including their GAMSAT
identification number when they
lodge their application.
4. SELECTION CRITERIA
4.1 Interview
Applicants will be invited to interview
if they meet the overall GAMSAT cutoff score as determined by the Medical
Admissions Committee in the year of
application. The GAMSAT cut-off score
may vary across sub-quotas.
Applicants will be invited to interview
via email. They will be provided with an
online link to the Doctor of Medicine
Domestic Interview Tracker through
which they can view the date, time and
location of their interview.
Applicants invited to interview are
required to travel, at their own expense,
to the indicated venue (ie Bedford Park
or the Northern Territory) as specified.
Applicants who have preferenced the
Parallel Rural Community Curriculum
(PRCC) Rural Sub-quota may be invited
to an additional selection process.
These applicants will be advised of any
available reimbursement at the time of
invitation.
Due to the large number of interviews
being held, individual requests for
specific interview dates will only be
considered by the Medical Admissions
Committee in exceptional circumstances.
The interview conducted in both South
Australia and the Northern Territory is
semi structured and uses a common
set of scenarios and questions for all
applicants to assess qualities for both
success in the medical program and
in subsequent medical practice. The
qualities to be assessed were identified
by a process of consultation with staff
in the School of Medicine and with
community members. These include:
• Quality of motivation
• Learning style and team skills
• Communication skills
• Pro-social attitude
• Personal management and selfevaluation skills
• Approach to decision-making
Interviews will be conducted by a
panel of trained interviewers, usually
a panel of two to three including
representatives of the medical school
and the community. Interview teams
are not provided with any information
about applicants, other than their
names. Interviews normally last 45-50
minutes.
Special Consideration
• Applicants who have an outstanding
Grade Point Average (GPA), but
whose overall GAMSAT scores are
slightly below the cut-off, may be
invited to interview. Those falling
within this group normally have a
grade point average of at least 6
(on a 7 point scale) in each year of
their degree. Applicants who meet
this criterion will be automatically
identified by Flinders University.
• Flinders University supports the
Commonwealth and Northern
Territory Governments’ key priority
to increase the participation of
Aboriginal and/or Torres Islander
people in medicine through
its commitment to equity and
inclusiveness in its medical program.
Aboriginal and/or Torres Islander
applicants who have provided all
required documentation and whose
overall GAMSAT scores are slightly
below the cut-off, may be invited to
interview.
4.2 Grade Point Average
There is no minimum GPA requirement
for entry to the MD, however strong
performance in the Bachelor degree
is an important indicator of the
intellectual abilities necessary for
success in the MD. The weighted grade
point average (wGPA) in the applicant’s
Bachelor degree makes a significant
contribution to the applicant’s overall
rank for a place offer.
Applicants who hold a qualification
from an institution other than
Flinders University will have their GPA
converted to a Flinders University
GPA. The Flinders University GPA is
then used to calculate the wGPA. The
Flinders University GPA is calculated
using the following formula:
GPA = sum of (value for each grade
x topic unit value) / total number of
units
Value for each grade:
High Distinction = 7; Distinction = 6;
Credit = 5; Pass = 4; Fail = 0;
Withdraw Fail = 0.
The following grades are not
counted in the calculation: Non
Graded Pass; Withdraw Not Fail.
Topic Unit Value is as detailed on the
applicant’s Academic Transcript.
The wGPA is based on the last three
full-time equivalent years of study in
the most recently completed Bachelor
degree (including an Honours year if
results are available), and is calculated
using the following formula:
wGPA = ((GPA of Final Year x3) + (GPA
of Final Minus One Year x 2) + (GPA of
Final Minus Two Years)) /6
For example the wGPA for an applicant
with a four year Bachelor of Laws and
Legal Practice degree will be calculated
as follows:
Year 1 – 6.1 (Not included in the
wGPA calculation)
Year 2 – 5.8 (Final Minus Two Years)
Year 3 – 6.5 (Final Minus One Year)
Year 4 – 6.2 (Final Year)
(6.2 x 3) + (6.5 x 2) + (5.8) / 6 = wGPA
6.23
7
For applicants in the final year of their
Bachelor/Honours degree Flinders
University will only use 2015 Semester
1 results awarded before 22 July
2015 in the wGPA calculation. Results
submitted after this date will not be
included in the wGPA calculation. In
this instance the applicant’s wGPA
will be calculated using the following
formula:
wGPA = ((Final Minus Two Years) +
(Final Minus One Year x 5)) / 6
It is the applicant’s responsibility to
ensure that any Semester 1 2015
results are made available by their
university by the 22 July 2015. Flinders
University will not follow up an
applicant’s results with their home
institution.
4.3 OFFERS
PRCC PLACES
Offers for places are made on the
basis of overall rank comprising the
following components which are
equally weighted:
Offers for PRCC places are made on the
basis of the following:
1. Overall GAMSAT Score
1. Overall GAMSAT Score (hurdle)
2. PRCC Selection Process comprising:
2. Weighted GPA (wGPA)
a. Autobiographical Statement
(10%)
3. Interview Score
b. Interview (40%)
The Medical Admissions Committee
retains the right to establish a
minimum overall rank.
c. Scenario (20%)
There are two instances in which an
applicant may receive a conditional
offer:
1. The applicant is due to complete
their Bachelor degree in 2015;
Or
2. The applicant is due to complete
a Flinders University qualification
in 2015.
In both cases applicants are required
to have successfully completed the
relevant qualification by no later than
31 December 2015. Applicants who
are due to complete their Bachelor
degree are not required to maintain a
wGPA.
d. Overall Performance (30%)
3. Bedford Park interview (hurdle)
4.4 SECURING YOUR PLACE
IN THE COURSE
Successful applicants must carefully
follow the instructions in their offer
letter to secure their place in the
course. Failure to do this will result in
their offer lapsing.
Requests from applicants to be
reinstated in the course after their
offer has lapsed will not be considered.
Unfortunately no special consideration
can be given to applicants who do not
meet the requirements for entry into
the MD. There are more applicants
than there are places, and there is no
fair way to assess relative disadvantage
or mitigating circumstances for the
number of individuals who apply.
4.5 DEFERRAL REQUESTS
Deferral requests are rarely approved.
However, in the event of exceptional
and unforeseen circumstances an
applicant may request a one year
deferral. Deferral requests will only be
considered following an offer of place
and are considered by the Medical
Admissions Committee on a case by
case basis. 8
5. MEDICAL COURSE PLACES
AND SUB-QUOTAS
5.1 DOCTOR OF MEDICINE (MD) SOUTH AUSTRALIA PLACES
There are approximately 86 Commonwealth-supported places available for commencing
domestic students in South Australia in 2016. All of these places are subsidised by the
Commonwealth Government and require students to pay a Student Contribution Amount
(see www.flinders.edu.au/fees-scholarships)
MD Places
(approximately 86 places)
Flinders University Graduates
up to 75%
Flinders University
Bachelor of Health Sciences
Bachelor of Medical Science
Bachelor of Paramedic Science
(up to 25 places)
Non-Flinders University
Graduates minimum 25%
All other
Flinders University
Qualifications*
(up to 33 places)
* Applicants holding any Flinders University Bachelor degree or higher qualification,
including Honours, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Masters or PhD
(i.e. Australian Qualifications Framework Level 7 and above, see www.aqf.edu.au/)
will be considered within this sub-quota.
9
5.2 Northern Territory
Medical Program (NTMP)
are funded by the Commonwealth and
Northern Territory Governments.
The Flinders University Medical
Program is also offered in the Northern
Territory, providing opportunities for
Northern Territory residents to complete
their medical training in their local
environment. Approximately 12 places
are available each year and these places
These places require the applicant to
enter into a Deed of Agreement with the
Northern Territory Government which
includes a four year Return of Service
Obligation in the Northern Territory after
graduation.
Preference is given to applicants who
are Northern Territory residents and
particularly to Northern Territorians of
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
origin (please see priority listing below).
Other Australian citizens may apply and
may be considered in the event that
there are insufficient numbers of eligible
competitive Northern Territorians and/
or Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
applicants.
Priority of applicants for the NTMP:
Priority 1: Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander who meets the Northern Territory
residency requirements.
You are required to provide a statutory declaration confirming you meet Northern Territory residency requirements (see below) and your Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander status.
Priority 2:Non Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander who meets the Northern Territory
residency requirements.
You are required to provide a statutory declaration confirming you meet Northern Territory residency requirements (see below).
Priority 3: Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander AND not a Northern Territory resident.
You are required to provide a statutory declaration confirmation you meet the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander status.
Priority 4:Non Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and not a Northern Territory resident.
Northern Territory Residency Requirements:
A Northern Territory resident is defined as a person who, at the time of commencement of the medical course, has:
• Resided with a permanent address in the Northern Territory for a total of at least two years out of the last six years;
Or
• Resided with a permanent address in the Northern Territory for a total of at least five years since commencing primary
school.
If an applicant wishes to be considered for a place in the NTMP they must apply for entry into the course via the Flinders
University Doctor of Medicine Admissions Portal. If they are an NT resident and/or Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
applicant, they must also submit a statutory declaration confirming their NT residency status and/or their Aboriginality and/or
Torres Strait Islander status, please see Section 7 for further information.
10
5.3 PLACE TYPES
PLACE TYPES
RESTRICTIONS / COMMITMENTS
Commonwealth Supported
Non-bonded Places (CSP)^
These places have no restrictions / commitments after graduation. These places are available in
South Australia only.
Commonwealth Supported
Bonded Places (BMP)^
These places require graduates to work for four years in an area of workforce shortage after
completing their professional training. These places are available in South Australia only.
Northern Territory Medical
Program Places (NTMP)*^
These are places are funded by the Northern Territory and Commonwealth Governments and
require the student to enter into a Deed of Agreement with the Northern Territory Government
which includes a four year Return of Service Obligation after graduation. These places are
available in the Northern Territory only.
Commonwealth supported non-bonded
places are open to Australian Citizens,
Permanent Residents and New Zealand
citizens.
Commonwealth supported bonded places
are open to Australian Citizens, Permanent
Residents and New Zealand citizens who
have held a New Zealand Special Category
Visa on or before 26 February 2001. More
information is available at: www.health.
gov.au/bmpscheme
^CSPs and BMP offers will be made on the
basis of applicants’ overall rank in the following
order: CSP then BMP, with the highest ranked
applicants being allocated a CSP. As such,
applicants are not required to indicate their
place type preferences.
*^Applicants may apply for a South Australian
and/or Northern Territory place. Applicants will
be asked to nominate their location preferences
in order.
5.4 SUB-QUOTAS
5.4.1 FLINDERS UNIVERSITY
GRADUATE SUB-QUOTA
Up to 75% of places will be reserved for
Flinders University graduates who meet
the admission requirements. Places are
reserved for up to 25 graduates of the
Flinders University Bachelor of Health
Sciences, Bachelor of Medical Science
and Bachelor of Paramedic Science. Up to
33 places reserved for graduates of any
other Flinders University graduate and/
or postgraduate qualification. Applicants
must have completed or be currently
enrolled in a Flinders University course to
be considered within this sub-quota.
Applicants who intend to commence
and complete a Flinders University
qualification in Semester 2, 2015 must
email [email protected]
to advise of their intention to do so once
they have submitted their application.
Applicants must complete this
qualification by 31 December 2015 as a
condition for offer confirmation.
Applicants can use the Remoteness Area
Locator to determine the classification
of their locality: www.doctorconnect.
gov.au/internet/otd/Publishing.nsf/
Content/locator.
5.4.2 NON-FLINDERS UNIVERSITY
GRADUATE SUB-QUOTA
Some South Australian examples are:
Mount Barker in the Adelaide Hills is RA2
(inner Regional), Loxton in the Riverland
is RA3 (Outer Regional), Kimba is RA4
(Remote) and Ceduna and Oodnadatta
are RA5 (Very Remote).
Additionally, a minimum of 25% of
places will be reserved for graduates of
an Australian university or other tertiary
institution of equivalent standard, which
equates to approximately 28 places for
non-Flinders University graduates.
5.4.3 RURAL SUB-QUOTA
The Commonwealth Government
requires that a minimum of 25% of
Commonwealth Supported Places are
allocated to applicants who come from an
Australian rural background.
To be considered for the Rural Sub-quota
applicants must apply via the Flinders
University Doctor of Medicine Admissions
Portal and must also submit a statutory
declaration which confirms that they have
lived in non-metropolitan areas of Australia
(Remoteness Classifications RA2 to RA5) for
five or more years since beginning primary
school. This must be provided within
five working days of submitting their
application and no later than 2 June 2015.
All applicants with a rural background will
automatically be considered for the Rural
Sub-quota. Any applicant whose GAMSAT
score is sufficient for an invitation to
interview in Adelaide, and who nominates
a preference for a PRCC Rural Sub-quota
place, may additionally be invited to the
PRCC selection process. These applicants
will undertake two interview processes.
If unsuccessful in obtaining a PRCC Rural
Sub-quota place, applicants will still be
considered for a Rural Sub-quota place.
5.4.4 HUMANITARIAN VISA SUBQUOTA
Flinders University is committed to
providing an opportunity to study medicine
to applicants who have held or currently
hold a Refugee or Humanitarian Visa
(Subclass 200 / 201 / 202 / 203 / 204 & 866).
To be considered for the Humanitarian
Visa Sub-quota applicants must apply via
the Flinders University Doctor of Medicine
Admissions Portal and submit a statutory
declaration which confirms that they hold
or have held a Humanitarian Visa. This
must be provided within five working
days of submitting their application and
no later than 2 June 2015. Please see
Section 7.1.2 for further information.
5.4.5 PARALLEL RURAL COMMUNITY
CURRICULUM (PRCC) RURAL SUBQUOTA
The Parallel Rural Community Curriculum
(PRCC) Rural Sub-quota of up to 24 places
is available annually for applicants from
Australian rural communities who are
able to demonstrate commitment to a
career in rural practice. Applicants offered
a place in this sub-quota will enter a rural
program that will provide innovative rural
experiences throughout each year of the
program. Please see www.flinders.edu.
au/MD/ruralmedicine for more details.
11
Parallel Rural Community
Curriculum (PRCC)
Rural Sub-quota
Riverland
(up to 8 places)
The Riverland PRCC program was
established in 1997. Students are located
in the towns of Renmark, Berri, Loxton,
Barmera and Waikerie.
The Greater Green Triangle PRCC began in
2002. Students are located in Mt Gambier,
Millicent and Hamilton (Western Victoria).
The Hills Mallee Fleurieu PRCC began in
2006. Students are located on Kangaroo
Island, and in Strathalbyn, Goolwa, Murray
Bridge and Mannum.
The Barossa PRCC program began in
2008 as a collaboration between Flinders
University and the University of Adelaide.
Students are located in Nuriootpa,
Angaston, Tanunda and Kapunda.
To be considered for this sub-quota
applicants must apply via the Flinders
University Doctor of Medicine Admissions
Postral and must also submit a statutory
declaration that confirms they have lived
in non-metropolitan areas of Australia
(Remoteness Classifications RA2 to RA5)
for five or more years since beginning
primary school. This must be provided
within five days of submitting their
application and no later than 2 June
2015. Please see Section 7.1.1 for further
information.
Please note applicants who wish to
preference a PRCC Rural Sub-quota place
should select:
12
Greater Green
Triangle
(up to 8 places)
Hills Mallee
Fleurieu
(up to 4 places)
Either
• a specific PRCC location (multiple sites
cannot be preferenced);
Or
• elect to be considered for any of the
four PRCC locations. Applicants who
choose this option will be interviewed
at a location determined by the Central
PRCC Community Liaison Committee.
Applicants must also provide the
following additional document within
five days and no later than 2 June 2015 of
submitting their application:
• an Autobiographical Statement
(maximum 1200 words) describing
their personal background relevant
to the course and, in particular,
why they have applied to the PRCC
Rural Sub-quota and why they are
suited to learning medicine in a rural
environment. The Autobiographical
Statement must address the
following:
• Resilience
• Flexibility
• Teamwork
• Academic Stability
• Passion for the work of rural
General Practitioners (GPs)
• Indication of a rural career path
In addition to the above the applicant
must demonstrate that they will
academically flourish in the PRCC and will
advocate for, and contribute to, the rural
medical workforce.
Barossa
(up to 4 places)
All applicants to the PRCC must hold a
current drivers’ licence and have access to
a roadworthy vehicle.
Applicants who are unsuccessful in
obtaining a PRCC place will be considered
for a standard Doctor of Medicine South
Australia place on the basis of their overall
rank.
PRCC RURAL SUB-QUOTA
SELECTION PROCESS
(9 JULY TO 11 JULY 2015)
PRCC applicants with competitive
overall GAMSAT scores will have their
Autobiographical Statement considered
by the Central PRCC Community Liaison
Committee. Successful applicants will
then be invited to participate in the PRCC
Selection Process and will be required to
travel to the relevant location and stay
for the duration of the process. During
the selection process applicants will
undertake a semi-structured interview
and a range of other activities, including a
dinner. Applicants must participate in and
will be assessed on all selection process
activities by members of the relevant
PRCC Community Liaison Committee.
Applicants will be advised of any available
reimbursement at the time of invitation.
For further information regarding the
Parallel Rural Community Curriculum
please see www.flinders.edu.au/MD/
prccsites
6. MEDICAL RURAL BONDED
SCHOLARSHIPS (MRBS)
Expressions of interest for a MRBS place
offer will be sought from all successful
applicants following confirmation of
available places from the Commonwealth
Department of Health. This is likely to
occur in January 2016.
Flinders University will nominate
applications to the Department of
Health for consideration and offers for
these scholarships will be made by the
Department of Health on the basis of an
applicant’s overall rank.
These places come with a living allowance
and a bond to work for 6 years in a
rural / remote area after completion of
professional training. These places are
available in South Australia only.
Please see www.health.gov.au/
mrbscholarships for further information. 13
7. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
7.1 Statutory
Declarations
Statutory Declarations can be
downloaded from:
www.ag.gov.au/Publications/Pages/
Statutorydeclarations.aspx
Applicants are required to submit a
separate statutory declaration for each
sub-quota for which they wish to be
considered.
All statutory declarations must be
provided within five days of application
submission and no later than 2 June 15.
Applicants should note that a person who
intentionally makes a false statement
in a statutory declaration is guilty of an
offence under Section 11 of the Statutory
Declarations Act 1959.
7.1.1 Rural Origin
Australian rural applicants are required
to provide a statutory declaration which
confirms that they have lived in regional
or remote areas of Australia (Australian
Standard Geographical Classification
- Remoteness Area categories 2-5) for
five or more years since beginning their
primary schooling.
Suggested text for statutory declaration:
I have lived in an ASGC-RA 2-5 area for
at least five years since the beginning of
primary school.
I understand that ASGC-RA refers to
the Australian Standard Geographical
Classification – Remoteness Area, and
that the Remoteness Area classifications
are:
RA1 - Major cities of Australia
RA2 - Inner regional Australia
RA3 - Outer regional Australia
RA4 - Remote Australia
RA5 - Very remote Australia
14
7.1.2 Humanitarian Visa
Humanitarian Visa applicants are required
to provide a statutory declaration which
confirms that they hold, or have a
Humanitarian Visa at some point in
the past.
Suggested text for statutory declaration:
I was granted a Humanitarian Visa Class
… Sub Class … (Document Number …)
on the …
7.1.3 Aboriginal and/or Torres
Strait Islander Origin
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
applicants are required to provide a
statutory declaration which confirms:
• that they are of Aboriginal and/or
Torres Strait Islander origin
• that they identify as an Aboriginal
and/or Torres Strait Islander
• that they are accepted as such in the
community in which they live or have
lived.
Suggested text for statutory declaration:
I am of Aboriginal and/or Torres
Strait Islander descent, I identify as an
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
and I am accepted as such in the
community in which I live or have lived.
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
applicants are also required to submit a
document signed under the seal by an
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
organisation in the community from
which the applicant originates or is
recognised, confirming that the applicant
is recognised by that community.
7.1.4 Northern Territory
Residency Status
Applicants who are Northern Territory
residents are required to provide a
statutory declaration confirming the
following.
A Northern Territory resident is defined as a
person who, at the time of commencement
of the medical course, has:
• resided with a permanent address in
the Northern Territory for a total of
at least two years out of the last six
years;
Or
• resided with a permanent address in
the Northern Territory for a total of
at least five years since commencing
primary school.
Suggested text for statutory declaration:
I have resided with a permanent
address in the Northern Territory
(address) for a total of at least two
years out of the last six years;
Or
I have resided with a permanent
address in the Northern Territory
(address) for a total of at least five years
since commencing primary school.
7.2 Academic Transcripts
Domestic applicants who have a
qualification from a non-ARTS institution
will be required to submit a certified copy
of their academic transcript by Monday 15
June 2015.
For studies undertaken overseas,
applicants must also submit certified
copies of all documents by Monday 15
June 2015.
For documents in a language other than
English, applicants must submit certified
copies of both the original documents and
full translations. Transcript translations
must show results for all subjects
undertaken. All translations must be
certified by an independent accredited
translator.
It is an applicant’s responsibility to comply
with any requests to provide further
documentation, either in the original
language or translated into English.
7.3 Autobiographical
Statement
7.4 Submission of
Documentation
Applicants who preference the PRCC
Rural Sub-quota are required to submit an
autobiographical statement (maximum
1200 words) describing their personal
background relevant to the course and,
in particular, why they have applied to
the PRCC Rural Sub-quota and why they
are suited to learning medicine in a rural
environment. This must be provided within
five working days of submitting their
application and no later than 2 June 2015.
For further details please see Section 5.4.5.
Supporting documentation must be
provided within five working days after
submitting your application for admission
into the Doctor of Medicine.
Applicants may submit documents via
email or mail.
Email address:
[email protected]
Postal Address:
Medical Admissions Team
Faculty of Medicine, Nursing &
Health Sciences
Flinders University
GPO Box 2100
Adelaide 5001
South Australia
Applicants are also permitted to submit
documents in person at:
Faculty of Medicine, Nursing & Health
Sciences
Faculty Office
Level 3
Health Sciences Building
Flinders University
Registry Road
Bedford Park 5042
South Australia
15
8. IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
All prospective students are expected
to act professionally towards Flinders
University staff, students and applicants.
Flinders University reserves the right to
consider any aspect of an applicant’s
behaviour from the time of application
until the acceptance of a place offer in the
assessment of their suitability for entry to
the MD.
8.1 Grounds for an Offer
of Place to be Withdrawn
A place offer may be withdrawn by
Flinders University if an applicant has
provided inaccurate or incomplete
information in their application. In
accordance with the University Entry
Requirements Policy Section 10:
Withdrawal of Offer of Admission, prior
to withdrawing an offer, the Deputy ViceChancellor (Academic) must:
10.1 give the applicant an opportunity
to explain the inaccuracies or omissions
in the information provided, and
10.2 take into account the degree to
which the applicant has contributed to
the inaccuracies and omissions and the
stage through the course at which the
errors are detected.
The policy can be found at:
www.flinders.edu.au/ppmanual/
student/entry-requirements.cfm
8.2 Registration with
Australian Health
Practitioner Regulation
Agency (AHPRA)
Under the terms of the Health Practitioner
Regulation National Law Act 2010, medical
students are required to be registered
with the Medical Board of Australia for the
duration of their medical studies. As part
of the registration process, students may
be required to make declarations about
their medical fitness, criminal convictions
and any previous registration history.
Individual students do not need to register
as Flinders University will provide AHPRA
with the details of all students enrolled in
the MD.
More information can be found at:
www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/
Student-Registrations.aspx
8.3 Health Requirements
All applicants offered a place in the MD
are required to comply with a number
of recommendations and procedures
to enable them to proceed through the
course with a low level of risk.
Students will be asked to comply
with the School of Medicine policy on
immunisation and blood-borne viruses.
Further information is available in the
9. CONTACTS
All enquires will be managed by email
only. Please forward questions to
[email protected].
16
Health Advisory Booklet for Health
Professional Students available from:
www.flinders.edu.au/MD/formsresources
8.4 Police Checks
All students will be required to undertake
Criminal History Screening (Police Check)
including a child related employment
screening, a vulnerable person-related
employment screening and an aged care
sector employment screening.
More information can be found at:
www.flinders.edu.au/MD/formsresources.
GLOSSARY
AUTOMATED RESULTS TRANSFER
SYSTEM (ARTS)
ARTS is an automated system that allows
academic results to be directly retrieved
from participating Australian University
systems. As soon as results are loaded
into a university system, results can be
retrieved and uploaded for assessment of
qualifications.
AUSTRALIAN HEALTH PRACTITIONER
REGULATION AGENCY (AHPRA)
www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/
Student-Registrations.aspx
Under the National Law, all students
enrolled in a medical course and who are
undertaking clinical training, must be
registered as a student with the Medical
Board of Australia via AHPRA. Flinders
University will, on behalf of the student,
provide AHPRA with the relevant details
for their registration.
AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT
INTERNATIONAL APPLICANT
This is required for applicants who wish
to apply for the Parallel Rural Community
Curriculum (PRCC) Rural Sub-quota, please
see Section 5.4.5 for more details.
An applicant who is not an Australian
citizen/permanent resident or a New
Zealand citizen must apply via the
International Admissions Pathway, see
Section 2 for details.
BACHELOR DEGREE
A Bachelor degree (AQF level 7) or
equivalent forms the first part of the basis
for admission into the Doctor of Medicine
at Flinders University. An applicant’s
Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated
using the results from their most recently
completed Bachelor degree.
NON-FLINDERS UNIVERSITY
GRADUATE
An applicant who is a graduate of an
Australian University or other tertiary
institution of an equivalent standard,
other than Flinders University.
PRCC RURAL SUB-QUOTA
COMMONWEALTH SUPPORTED
PLACE
‘Commonwealth supported’ means
the cost of study is shared between the
Australian Government and the student.
The student is required to pay a student
contribution amount and the Australian
Government pays the balance of their
course costs.
The Parallel Rural Community
Curriculum (PRCC) Rural Sub-quota is
available annually for students from
rural communities who are able to
demonstrate commitment to a career in
rural practice. Students selected in this
sub-quota will enter a rural program that
will provide innovative rural experiences
throughout each of the four years
www.aqf.edu.au/
DOMESTIC APPLICANT
SUB-QUOTA
The AQF is the national policy for
regulated qualifications in Australian
education and training. It incorporates
the qualifications from each education
and training sector into a single
comprehensive national qualifications
framework.
A domestic applicant is an Australian
citizen / permanent resident or a New
Zealand citizen and is eligible for a
Commonwealth Supported Place.
Sub-quotas are special entry pathways
that enable applicants who meet specific
entry criteria to compete for admission
within a limited allocation of places, see
Section 5.4.
AUSTRALIAN QUALIFICATIONS
FRAMEWORK (AQF)
AUSTRALIAN STANDARD
GEOGRAPHICAL CLASSIFICATION –
REMOTENESS AREA (ASGC - RA)
The Commonwealth Department of
Health uses a geographic classification
system which allows quantitative
comparisons between ‘city’ and ’country’
Australia. See: www.health.gov.au/
internet/otd/Publishing.nsf/content/RAIntro. Applicants can use the Remoteness
Area Locator to look up the name of
their town and find out its classification
www.doctorconnect.gov.au/internet/
otd/Publishing.nsf/Content/locator.
FLINDERS UNIVERSITY GRADUATE
An applicant who has completed or
is due complete a Flinders University
qualification of AQF Level 7 or above in
the year of application.
GRADUATE MEDICAL SCHOOLS
ADMISSIONS TEST (GAMSAT)
www.gamsat.acer.edu.au
GAMSAT is used to assist in the selection
of students to graduate entry medical
and health professional programs.
17
Every effort has been made to ensure the information
in this brochure is accurate at the time of publication:
April 2015. Flinders University reserves the right to alter
any information contained herein without prior notice.
CRICOS No. 00114A
18