If you're a current student about to complete a clinical or research placement in South West Victoria, you can book your accommodation through our online booking tool.
Rural health placements
We support students and health professionals undertaking clinical or research placements in regional Victoria. Access affordable accommodation, practical resources and tailored support to help you thrive during your rural experience.
What is our student support program?
Deakin Rural Health supports students and health professionals completing rural healthcare placements across regional and rural Victoria. We provide a range of services and resources, including shared accommodation designed to foster connection and community during placements. Our programs are continually refined through feedback and evaluation to ensure the best possible student experience.
Who is eligible?
Our support programs are open to health students completing a clinical or research placement in Western Victoria. Students can be studying at Deakin University or another Australian university at an undergraduate or postgraduate level. Students need to be studying one of the following health-related disciplines:
- Aboriginal health*
- audiology*
- dentistry*
- diagnostic radiography*
- exercise physiology
- health promotion/health information
- medical radiation*
- medicine
- midwifery
- nuclear medicine*
- nursing
- nutrition and dietetics
- occupational therapy
- optometry
- oral health*
- orthoptics*
- orthotics/prosthetics*
- paramedicine*
- pharmacy*
- physiotherapy*
- podiatry*
- psychiatry*
- psychology
- radiation therapy*
- social work
- sonography*
- speech pathology.
*These disciplines are not offered at Deakin.
Student placement accommodation
Our program provides affordable, fully furnished accommodation for health students completing clinical or research placements. Each property offers:
- individual bedrooms
- shared kitchen, living, laundry and bathroom facilities
- free Wi-Fi.
Accommodation is located close to hospitals and health services to make your experience as convenient as possible.
Accommodation locations and cost
We currently have accommodation options across Western Victoria in the following towns:
- Ararat – Free
Close to East Grampians Health Service
- Camperdown – $140 per week
Near Camperdown Hospital
- Colac – $140 per week
Close to Colac Area Health
- Daylesford – $140 per week
Near Daylesford Health Service
- Hamilton – $140 per week
Close to Western District Health Service
- Horsham – $140 per week
Near Wimmera Base Hospital
- Portland – $140 per week
Close to Portland District Health
- Stawell – $70 per week ($10 per night)
Near Grampians Health Stawell
- Warrnambool – $140 per week
Close to South West Healthcare
Ready to book?
Are you a health student heading to Western Victoria for a clinical or research placement? Deakin Rural Health offers affordable, fully furnished accommodation and tailored support to make your rural experience stress-free and rewarding.
Scholarship and financial support
If you’re a Deakins student undertaking a rural health placement, you might be eligible for a scholarship or financial support to help cover costs such as travel and living expenses.
Scholarships
Deakin students might be eligible for external scholarships offered by the Victorian Government and organisations not affiliated with the University, including:
Financial support
There are opportunities for financial support that are available to all Deakin students, such as:
- financial grants
- emergency food and travel vouchers
- budgetary advice
As well as interest-free student loans for study-related expenses that might be available for those experiencing financial difficulty.
Rural clinical support scheme
If you're a Deakin nursing and allied health student completing mandatory rural placement, you might be eligible for financial support under the Faculty of Health Rural Clinical Support Scheme, which can help to cover:
- travel costs
- accommodation expenses
- essential living costs
Ready to book?
Book now
