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Rural Resident Medical Officer Cadetship
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Rural Doctors Network, on behalf of the NSW Ministry of Health, is offering cadetships to medical students with a strong intent to undertake a medical career in rural New South Wales. There are two types of cadetships. This page outlines the NSW Rural Resident Medical Officer Cadetship. Learn more about the Rural Resident Medical Officer Cadetships for Indigenous Medical Students here. Jump to: |
About the Rural Resident Medical Officer Cadetship
Successful applicants receive up to $15,000 per year for the final two years of their medical degree. In return, they agree to undertake two of the first three years of their hospital training in an eligible rural NSW hospital.
Cadets in their final year of study apply for an intern position through the Rural Preferential Recruitment (RPR) process or Aboriginal Medical Workforce pathway administered by the Health, Education and Training Institute (HETI).
Rural service can be undertaken in major NSW hospitals including Tamworth, Dubbo, Orange, Taree, Wagga Wagga, Broken Hill and Albury.
Please note that:
- students not honouring their commitment to undertake rural placements will be required to pay back all money granted to them.
What are the benefits of a cadetship?
Successful applicants receive:
- $15,000 per year for the final two years of their medical degree
- a relocation grant when moving to a rural location
- subsidised attendance at Rural Doctors Network conferences
- subsidised attendance at Cadet events including the annual Rural Doctors Network cadet road trips to the locations for rural service
- mentoring and support through Rural Doctors Network.
Who is eligible?
- Medical students studying at Australian universities in NSW or ACT.
- Medical students studying interstate at an Australian university or in New Zealand and who completed Year 12 in NSW.
Applicants must be enrolled in:
- second year medicine at Macquarie University, the University of Sydney, Wollongong or Notre Dame; Australian National University or
- third year medicine at Western Sydney University, the University of Newcastle or New England, Charles Sturt University; or
- fourth year medicine at the University of NSW.
Applicants from interstate or New Zealand universities must be enrolled in their third last year of a medical degree.
Bonded Medical Place (BMP) students are eligible to apply.
Applicants must be Australian or New Zealand citizens or permanent residents of Australia.
How to Apply
Applications for the 2027 intake for the Rural Resident Medical Officer Cadetships will are OPEN and close on 27 July 2026. Further information about the program can be found in the Program Guidelines.
MEET RURAL RESIDENT MEDICAL OFFICER CADET MORGAN SEE
It was at a medical information evening during his first year studying Medicine at The University of Wollongong that Morgan See found out about the Rural Doctors Network Cadetship.
"Medicine is the best way I can advocate for people at their most vulnerable time and the Cadetship added another dimension to med school in terms of support," Morgan said.
Morgan credits Rural Doctors Network's Cadetship for offering more than just financial support, but also networking opportunities, placements, connections and for “broadening the med school experience”.
“It’s unique; it provides an extra layer of support in medical school and professionally,” he said.
“Its biggest offering is a supportive network – from the cadet weekends and conferences at Coogee, it’s the best representation of like-minded people.
“Regardless of where you end up, if you have specific interests, Rural Doctors Network is able to support that with links to mentoring and placements to put your best foot forward,” he said.
READ MORE CADET STORIES:
- Shay-Lee Coulson's driving force to "increase the likelihood of a First Nations patient presenting to a First Nations doctor"
- Cadet and final year medical student, Ellie Gundry tells RDN why she will never “not” be a cadet
- RDN Indigenous Cadets interviewed on ABC Radio
More information for students
Email students@rdnhealth.org if you would like any more help learning about the exciting opportunities of a rural health career.
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