Practice medicine in rural and remote locations
Deakin’s Western Victoria Regional Training Hub gives postgraduate medical students greater opportunities to live, train and work in rural and regional areas. Based at South West Healthcare in Warrnambool, the training hub has created graduate pathways and fulfilling training opportunities for medical graduates, junior doctors and established medical professionals. The program is a supportive environment for students to access a range of medical settings, develop professional networks and connect with local communities.
Supporting rural and regional communities
Deakin’s training hub is one of 26 regional medical training hubs developed through the Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training (RHMT) program. The program is designed to support high-quality rural health training and address the gaps in the rural and remote health workforce. Through unique training opportunities, medical students have the chance to contribute to the health and wellbeing of rural and regional communities.
Deakin training hub locations
Get the chance to experience the best of western Victoria, from the coast to historic towns. Our training hub locations span across a diverse range of rural and regional areas, including:
- Warrnambool
- Portland
- Ballarat
- Ararat
- Colac
- Hamilton
- Horsham.
#4 in Victoria for medicine*
When you study medicine at Deakin, you’ll learn in purpose-built facilities and gain first-hand experience in the field at our partner hospitals, clinics, centres and research institutes. Take your first step to a long and rewarding career in medicine.
I think what regionally based training can offer students is a closer experience... students are really integrated in the team that they are shadowing, so they’re really part of the team from day one. They will feel like they have something they can contribute.
Dr Kate Stotskaia
Senior Clinical Lecturer, Warrnambool Clinical School
Career pathways for medicine students
Our training hubs have paved the way for students at different stages of their training to explore their unique pathways in medicine. No matter what your area of interest is, we can offer you first-hand experience across a range of settings.
Medicine
There are different entry points for the medicine pathway depending on how advanced your medical career is. For example, you could start your junior training with South West Healthcare before entering the basic physician training program in Ballarat or Geelong. This leads into the advanced physician training program rotating through Warrnambool, Ballarat and Geelong.
Surgery
If you’re aspiring towards a general surgery career, our training programs can provide a pathway into regional and rural practice. The well-established surgical training program rotates through Geelong, Ballarat, Hamilton and Warrnambool hospitals. You’ll gain practical experience and build critical networks in regional and remote communities.
General practice
Our statewide rural generalist training program allows the future rural generalist workforce to train, work and live in rural and regional Victoria. Trainees will gain access to training positions across a variety of clinical settings, both hospital and community based, to provide a rich and rewarding clinical training experience that demonstrates the variety of rural generalist career options in Victoria.
Emergency medicine
The emergency medicine pathway is a predominantly rural pathway delivered over nine years from the middle of medical school to the completion of specialist emergency medicine training. Training rotates through Warrnambool, Ballarat and Portland hospitals.
Mental health
The Western Victoria is currently working with stakeholders to develop a mental health training pathway for medical professionals who are keen to work, live and train in a rural setting. Accredited rotations can be undertaken at various sites across regional Victoria.
Research excellence
Deakin’s School of Medicine has established a reputation for research excellence, with a vibrant program of research that includes more than 100 research staff and 100 research students.
What it’s like practising medicine in regional communities
Dr Josh Collingwood – Rehabilitation Medicine Physician
As an elite athlete and specialist in his field, Josh is living proof that regional Victoria offers everything you need to live your best life.
A thriving career with a regional lifestyle – Dr Kate Stotskaia
A career in regional medicine is fulfilling, both professionally and personally. From practising medicine to teaching the next generation of regional practitioners, enjoying the simple things in life like contributing to your community. Listen to Dr Kate Stotskaia, a Deakin graduate, about her journey from student to senior clinician in Warrnambool.
Our partners
The Western Victoria Regional Training Hub works collaboratively with regional health services, state and federal governments, specialist colleges, accrediting bodies and other medical and education training providers to develop rural postgraduate pathways and provide support for specialist trainees in the region. We have established partnerships with reputable health services across Victoria.
Southern Regional Training Hub Alliance
The Southern Regional Training Hub Alliance is a collaboration funded under a government initiative supporting medical training and careers across the regional communities. The collaborative vision has been realised by an alliance of leading universities.
- University of Melbourne
- Monash University
- University of Tasmania
- University of New South Wales
- Flinders University
Our team
Our team of experienced and passionate practitioners will ensure that you are fully supported as you build a rewarding career in medicine.
Warrnambool
Associate Professor Barry Morphett, Director of Clinical Studies, Warrnambool Clinical School
Dr Brendan Condon, Deputy Director Of Clinical Studies, Warrnambool Clinical School
Cara English, Senior Administrative Officer, Warrnambool Clinical School
Ballarat
Dr Heather Crook, Affiliate Associate Professor, Ballarat Clinical School
Dr Ged Dalgleish, Medical Education, Ballarat Clinical School
Marisa Wines, Hub Coordinator, Ballarat Clinical School
Zoe Swain, Hub Project Officer, Ballarat Clinical School
Contact us
If you have further questions about the Western Victoria Regional Training Hub or how to apply, please get in touch.
+61 3 5564 4391