Gippsland
Welcome to Gippsland
"Monash Rural Health Gippsland is proud to support the next generation of healthcare professionals, offering hand
s-on clinical training in state-of-the-art and supportive teaching hospitals.
With dedicated staff and clinicians, we provide medical students with invaluable practical experience while fostering the growth of nursing and allied health students on clinical placements. Across Gippsland’s key sites, including Bairnsdale, Leongatha, Sale, Traralgon, and Warragul, we create opportunities for students to thrive while serving their local communities.
In Bairnsdale, students are welcomed into a supportive clinical training environment, offering access to practical experience under the guidance of expert teaching staff. Similarly, in Leongatha, students benefit from exceptional support during their training, with placements extending to Wonthaggi and nearby areas. Traralgon is home to a state-of-the-art training facility, providing outstanding learning opportunities for students in the surrounding region. In Sale, the focus is on comprehensive clinical training in collaboration with experienced educators, while Warragul boasts advanced facilities and dedicated teaching staff, ensuring students are well-prepared for their future careers.
We look forward to welcoming you to our vibrant and supportive communities."
Associate Professor Catherine Haigh
Director of Monash Rural Health Gippsland
Gippsland: Where your medical career meets an extraordinary lifestyle
Spanning over 41,000 square kilometres in south-eastern Victoria, Gippsland is a region of remarkable diversity—rich in Aboriginal history and culture, framed by breathtaking natural beauty, and home to vibrant, welcoming communities.
From snow-capped mountains in winter to pristine beaches, tranquil lakes, and rolling farmland, Gippsland offers a lifestyle that’s as adventurous as it is relaxing. Enjoy award-winning wineries, gourmet dining, and a wide range of outdoor activities including mountain biking, skiing, surfing, hiking, horse riding, and water sports. Or connect with the community through local football, tennis, and netball clubs—there’s something for everyone.
With a population of over 300,000 and nearly 10% growth since 2011, Gippsland is thriving. This growth is driving demand for healthcare services, creating unmatched opportunities for medical professionals and students alike.
Whether you're starting your journey with Monash Rural Health Gippsland or seeking your next career move, Gippsland offers:
- A fulfilling career – Make a meaningful impact in growing communities.
- Unbeatable work-life balance – Live where others holiday.
- Exceptional training and support – Learn and grow with world-class rural health education.
- Affordable, high quality living – Affordable housing whilst enjoy space, serenity, and connection.
In Gippsland, your career has purpose—and your lifestyle has no limits.
Our Gippsland Community Advisory Committee, made up of representatives from across the community, ensures our teaching and research meets local healthcare needs.
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Gippsland locations
Bairnsdale
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Monash Rural Health Bairnsdale is co-located with the Bairnsdale Regional Health Service. Bairnsdale is 280 kilometres east of Melbourne, and is the gateway to the world famous Gippsland Lakes.
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Monash Rural Health Bairnsdale is equipped with clinical simulation facilities, conference rooms, student lounge area, kitchen and resource area. There is a library that provides additional space to study and learn. Conveniently located next door to Bairnsdale Regional Health Service (BRHS), you are able to experience hands-on training in a well-supported environment, with expert clinical staff and lecturers in a range of specialties.
With student accommodation close by, you'll develop a strong collegiate relationship through living and working together. Being located close to the hospital, you will be able to fully immerse yourself in the healthcare environment and become a valued member of clinical teams. You will also get to enjoy the relaxed lifestyle in Bairnsdale, with fantastic local attractions, shopping, dining and nightlife to enjoy.
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Bairnsdale Regional Health Service
Bairnsdale Regional Health Service (BRHS) provides healthcare to more than 40,000 people across the East Gippsland Shire covering an area of 21,000 square kilometers. With 84 inpatient beds, BRHS provides acute (including emergency department), sub-acute and aged care services. The main hospital has three wards, including an acute/high dependency ward, subacute rehabilitation ward and maternity/birthing ward.
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A range of student placements are available in Bairnsdale for medical, nursing and allied health students.
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Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine (MD)
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Year 2
Year 2 medical students are offered the opportunity to take part in a one-week rural placement as part of the Monash MD program. Placements occur during Semesters 1 and 2.
If you complete your Year 2 placement in Bairnsdale, your week will be spent shadowing a local GP, touring Bairnsdale Regional Health Service and getting a taste of what the region has to offer.
Year 4C
4C medical students will undertake one 18-week rural practice community rotation in East Gippsland, where you will be placed in a general practice clinic in Bairnsdale or Lakes Entrance.
Year 5D
Year 5D is structured as a series of six 6-week clinical rotations, transitioning you into the clinical workplace as a trainee intern. Students are able to undertake either a full year or one semester in Bairnsdale.
5D core rotations available in Bairnsdale are:
- Aged care
- Emergency medicine (Acute Care)
- Medicine
- Scholarly Intensive Placement
- Surgery
Postgraduate medical training
The Gippsland Regional Training Hub supports medical students and junior doctors to live, work and train in Bairnsdale and across Gippsland in the early stages of their career.
Contact the Hub to learn about what training pathways are available in Gippsland, and how they can help you reach your career goals.
Nursing, pharmacy and allied health
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There is a range of placement opportunities across our rural sites for nursing, allied health and pharmacy students.
If you would like to go to Bairnsdale, please speak about this with your placement coordinator.
Research degrees
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At Monash Rural Health in Bairnsdale, you have the option to undertake research degrees specialising in rural health.
Honours program
If you want to add a research component to your Doctor of Medicine or Bachelor of Biomedical Science degree, Monash Rural Health offers a one-year honours program exploring clinical or data-driven projects.
Graduate research
Monash Rural Health supports and assists graduate research students to undertake either a PhD or Masters by Research in a relevant topic of their choosing.
Accommodation
Subsidised furnished accommodation in Bairnsdale is available for Years 4C and 5D medical students, as well as nursing and allied health students. The Bairnsdale student houses are a 10 minute drive from the Bairnsdale GP clinics and about 5 mins from Bairnsdale Regional Health Service. The accommodation at Lakes Entrance is a two bedroom unit and a 5 minute drive from the clinic. Wireless internet, all utilities and outdoor maintenance are included in the weekly accommodation rental fee.
Student wellbeing supports
We have a team of support staff at Monash Rural Health who are able to support you with your mental health and wellbeing, accomodation issues or academic related issues. Contact our team below to see how they can support you.
Gippsland Regional Training Hub
The Monash Gippsland Regional Training Hub works to improve career opportunities for regional medical students and junior doctors and support specialist post graduate pathways and staff retention for healthcare providers in Gippsland. They offer career counselling and support, mentoring, research development opportunities as well as networking to help junior doctors and medical students in the early stages of their career.
Explore Bairnsdale
Bairnsdale is a city of approximately 15,000 people and is the commercial centre of East Gippsland, located around 280 km east of Melbourne.
Living in Bairnsdale gives you easy access to the vast Gippsland Lakes, Mitchell River and nine national parks. Located at the junction of the Great Alpine Road and the Princes Highway, Bairnsdale also gives you easy access to the alpine villages of Omeo, Dinner Plain and Mount Hotham. Visit the Buchan Caves, the Bairnsdale Farmers Market or nearby Lakes Entrance. Whether you surf, boat, camp, hike or ski - Bairnsdale provides you plenty of opportunities to get outside and explore.
Explore some of what Bairnsdale has to offer:
Getting here
Getting to Bairnsdale is easy: board a train, or drive yourself.
Public transport
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Train
Departing from Melbourne’s Southern Cross station, you can travel by train to Bairnsdale on the Gippsland line which takes around four and a half hours.
Plan your journey and buy your tickets through V/Line.
Drive
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Bairnsdale is 280 kilometres east of Melbourne, just over a three-hour drive along the Princes Highway.
Travel tips
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- When travelling by car, keep a lookout for wildlife, especially when you see road signs warning that there are animals in the area. If you see wildlife on the side of the road, slow down to reduce your braking distance and give animals a chance to cross.
- The road from Melbourne is a divided highway all the way, making an easy drive. Ensure to take rest breaks if feeling tired or drowsy.
“During my time here in Bairnsdale, I have had the unique opportunity to participate in NAIDOC week events, attend a First Nations Cultural Awareness workshop and learn from many Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander patients. I feel immensely grateful to be living and learning on Gunaikurnai land."
Caitlin Louey
Year 5B (2022)
Leongatha
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Monash Rural Health Leongatha is co-located with the Gippsland Southern Health Service (GSHS). Leongatha is 112 kilometres south of Melbourne, in the foothills of the Strzelecki Ranges, boasting a vibrant town centre surrounded by rolling green pastures.
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We are co-located with Gippsland Southern Health Service (GSHS) in Leongatha, which is the major public healthcare provider in the South Gippsland Shire.
Leongatha is located in a rich dairying region within South Gippsland, between Korumburra and Meeniyan, with a population of approximately 4000 people.
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Gippsland Southern Health Service
Gippsland Southern Health Service (GSHS) is the major public healthcare provider in the South Gippsland Shire and provides a specialist, acute, aged and residential, allied health and community services.GSHS has two main hospitals - in Leongatha and Korumburra.
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A range of student placements are available in Leongatha for medical, nursing and allied health students.
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Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine (MD)
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Year 4C
4C medical students will undertake one 18-week community practice rotation in South Gippsland, where you will be placed in a general practice clinic in Leongatha, Foster, Korumburra or Wonthaggi.
Year 5D
Year 5D is structured as a series of six 6-week clinical rotations, transitioning you into the clinical workplace as a trainee intern. Students are able to undertake either a full year or one semester in South Gippsland.
5D core rotations available in Leongatha are:
- Aged Care
- Surgery
5D specialty rotations available in Leongatha are:
- Urgent Care
Postgraduate medical training
The Gippsland Regional Training Hub supports medical students and junior doctors to live, work and train in Leongatha and across Gippsland in the early stages of their career.
Contact the Hub to learn about what training pathways are available in Gippsland, and how they can help you reach your career goals.
Nursing, pharmacy and allied health
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There are a range of placement opportunities across our rural sites for nursing, allied health and pharmacy students.
If you would like to go to Leongatha or another South Gippsland community, please speak about this with your placement coordinator.
Research degrees
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At Monash Rural Health in Leongatha, you have the option to undertake research degrees specialising in rural health.
Honours program
If you want to add a research component to your Doctor of Medicine or Bachelor of Biomedical Science degree, Monash Rural Health offers a one-year honours program exploring clinical or data-driven projects.
Graduate research
Monash Rural Health supports and assists graduate research students to undertake either a PhD or Masters by Research in a relevant topic of their choosing.
Accommodation
Subsidised accommodation in Leongatha is available for Years 4C and 5D medical students, as well as nursing and allied health students. All accommodation is a short distance to Monash Rural Health Leongatha and Gippsland Southern Health Service. Wireless internet and all utilities are included in the weekly accommodation rental fee.
Student wellbeing supports
We have a team of support staff at Monash Rural Health who are able to support you with your mental health and wellbeing, accomodation issues or academic related issues. Contact our team below to see how they can support you.
Gippsland Regional Training Hub
The Monash Gippsland Regional Training Hub works to improve career opportunities for regional medical students and junior doctors and support specialist post graduate pathways and staff retention for healthcare providers in Gippsland. They offer career counselling and support, mentoring, research development opportunities as well as networking to help junior doctors and medical students in the early stages of their career.
Explore Leongatha and South Gippsland
Leongatha is located on the Great Southern Rail Trail. This 87 kilometres walking, cycling and horse riding trail begins in Korumburra and extends south-east to Port Welshpool, passing through a number of small towns which offer visitors refreshments and attractions such as wineries, galleries and antique shops. Scenic views of Wilsons Promontory National Park can be enjoyed from the trail around the Foster area. You can also experience a wide range of cultural events and festivals at Leongatha throughout the year. The weekly Koonawarra Park Run is a great way to keep fit and socialise. The town also boasts numerous shops, galleries and museums devoted to the local arts and crafts of the region.
Volunteering in South Gippsland
Getting here
Leongatha is 135 kilometres south-east of Melbourne, about a 1-hour 50-minute drive. Exit the Princes Highway at Pakenham.
Getting to Leongatha is easy: board a train/bus or drive yourself.
Public transport
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Departing from Melbourne’s Southern Cross station, you can travel by train to Leongatha via a direct bus, or via a connecting bus service from Dandenong station.
Plan your journey and buy your tickets through Vline
Drive
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Leongatha is 135 kilometres south-east of Melbourne, about a 1-hour 50-minute drive. Exit the Princes Highway at Pakenham.
Travel tips
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- When travelling by car, keep a lookout for wildlife, especially when you see road signs warning that there are animals in the area. If you see wildlife on the side of the road, slow down to reduce your braking distance and give animals a chance to cross.
- If travelling from Melbourne, exit from princes hwy at Pakenham. Ensure to take rest breaks if feeling tired or drowsy.
"I would highly recommend walking or riding the Great Southern Rail Trail and Grand Ridge Rail Trail. If you go for a drive in any direction, there is always a breathtaking view to behold in the hills. Looking towards the coast from top of the ridge at Love’s Lane at Mardan is one of my favourite views, as is the lookout over the reservoirs that supply Leongatha’s water."
David McAlpine
Year 4C, South Gippsland (2022)
Sale
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Monash Rural Health Sale is co-located with the Central Gippsland Health Service. Sale offers the best of both worlds, being located close to beaches and mountains, only 215 kilometres east of Melbourne. The Ninety Mile Beach is nearby, and Mount Bawbaw and Mount Hotham are close enough to take a weekend trip to the snow.
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Coming to Monash Rural Health at Sale, you will find the site is well equipped, and conveniently located on site next to the Sale Hospital run by Central Gippsland Health Service. There is everything you need including a clinical simulation centre, conference rooms, student lounge area and kitchen, resource area and student accommodation. There is the Clayton Willington Library that provides additional space to study and learn. As Sale Hospital services most of Central Gippsland you will see a lot of interesting cases before they are transferred to Melbourne. The medical and nursing staff are very friendly and love to teach students, so there will be lots of opportunities to learn and practise your skills.
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Central Gippsland Health Service
We are co-located with Central Gippsland Health Service. CGHS in Sale is the major provider of health services and residential aged care services in the Wellington Shire, covering virtually the entire municipality. The organisation has more than 70 acute beds, close to 180 high and low care residential aged care beds, as well as 15 independent living units. Its acute services include a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week Emergency Department, operating theatres, day procedure unit, oncology and dialysis services.
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A range of student placements are available in Sale for medical, nursing and allied health students
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Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine (MD)
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Year 2
Year 2 medical students are offered the opportunity to take part in a one-week rural placement as part of the Monash MD program. Placements occur during Semesters 1 and 2.
If you complete your Year 2 placement in Sale, your week will include time in a local GP clinic, placement on ward at Central Gippsland Health Service and getting a taste of what the region has to offer.
Year 3B
Year 3B is your first year of hospital-based training. In Sale, this will be based at Central Gippsland Health Service.
Over the academic year (36 weeks), medical students undertake blocks of clinical rotations, as well as learning activities at Monash Rural Health Sale - such as clinical skill workshops and small group tutorials.
Year 4C
In Sale, 4C students will undertake one 18-week regional hospital placement at Central Gippsland Health Service in either Semester 1 or 2. This placement includes rotations in obstetrics and gynaecology, children's health and psychiatry (in Traralgon).
4C medical students will also undertake one 18-week rural practice community rotation in Central Gippsland, where you will be placed in a general practice clinic in Sale, Maffra or Heyfield.
Year 5D
Year 5D is structured as a series of six 6-week clinical rotations, transitioning you into the clinical workplace as a trainee intern. Students are able to undertake either a full year or one semester in Sale.
5D core rotations available in Sale are:
- Acute care
- Aged care
- Medicine
- Surgery
- Scholarly Intensive Placement (research focused)
Scholarly Intensive Placements in Sale are based at Central Gippsland Health Service in the emergency department, medical and surgical units.
5D speciality rotations available in Sale are:
- Anaesthetics
- Diagnostic Imaging
- General Practice
Postgraduate medical training
The Gippsland Regional Training Hub supports medical students and junior doctors to live, work and train in Sale and across Gippsland in the early stages of their career.
Contact the Hub to learn about what training pathways are available in Gippsland, and how they can help you reach your career goals.
Nursing, pharmacy and allied health
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There is a range of placement opportunities across our rural sites for nursing, allied health and pharmacy students.
Bachelor of Radiography and Medical Imaging (Honours) students can complete a 4-6 week rural placement at Central Gippsland Health Service.
If you would like to go to Sale, please speak about this with your placement coordinator.
"The highlight of my time on placement was the friendly medical imaging department. Most of the staff had devoted their entire careers to the Hospital, fostering a strong family environment and a sense of community and belonging."
Riva Marshall
Radiography placement, 2023
Research degrees
View
At Monash Rural Health in Sale, you have the option to undertake research degrees specialising in rural health.
Honours program
If you want to add a research component to your Doctor of Medicine or Bachelor of Biomedical Science degree, Monash Rural Health offers a one-year honours program exploring clinical or data-driven projects.
Graduate research
Monash Rural Health supports and assists graduate research students to undertake either a PhD or Masters by Research in a relevant topic of their choosing.
Accommodation
Subsidised furnished accommodation in Sale is available for Years 3B, 4C and 5D medical students, nursing and allied health students. All accommodation is a short distance to Monash Rural Health Sale and Central Gippsland Health Service. Wireless internet, all utilities and outdoor maintenance are included in the weekly accommodation rental fee.
Student wellbeing supports
We have a team of support staff at Monash Rural Health who are able to support you with your mental health and wellbeing, accomodation issues or academic related issues. Contact our team below to see how they can support you.
Gippsland Regional Training Hub
The Monash Gippsland Regional Training Hub works to improve career opportunities for regional medical students and junior doctors and support specialist post graduate pathways and staff retention for healthcare providers in Gippsland. They offer career counselling and support, mentoring, research development opportunities as well as networking to help junior doctors and medical students in the early stages of their career.
Explore Sale
Sale is a city of approximately 15,000 people and is located in Gippsland, 215 kilometres east of Melbourne.
Sale has a lot to offer with the nearby Gippsland Lakes, beaches, forests and mountains to explore. If you love eating out, there are options such as Wild Honey and Raymond Café for brunch or Viet Kitchen, the Criterion and the Star Hotel for dinner. On weekends try popular local winery Blue Gables, The Vines on Avon or Tinamba Hotel. The monthly Sale Producers Market will keep you stocked with produce.
If you like to keep fit, there are a few options, such as Aqua Energy Leisure Centre (Pool/Gym), Anytime Fitness, F45 and Sale Parkrun every Saturday. Connecting Traralgon to Stratford is the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail.
Visit Gippsland Art Gallery for art exhibitions and for theatre and entertainment and The Wedge Performing Arts Centre with live music at Live at the Bundy.
If you are looking for a day trip, the Blue Pool Briagolong and the Ninety Mile Beach is a great way to cool off in summer over a hot weekend. Other options for day trips include street art & murals in Yarram and the nearby Tarra Bulga National Park, the Den of Nargun and historic gold mining towns of Walhalla and Dargo.
Explore some of what Sale has to offer:
What's on in central Gippsland
Getting here
Getting to Sale is easy: board a train, or drive yourself.
Public transport
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Train
Departing from Melbourne’s Southern Cross station, you can travel by train to Bairnsdale on the Gippsland line which takes around four and a half hours.
Plan your journey and buy your tickets through V/Line.
Drive
View
Bairnsdale is 280 kilometres east of Melbourne, just over a three-hour drive along the Princes Highway.
Travel tips
View
- When travelling by car, keep a lookout for wildlife, especially when you see road signs warning that there are animals in the area. If you see wildlife on the side of the road, slow down to reduce your braking distance and give animals a chance to cross.
- The road from Melbourne is a divided highway all the way, making an easy drive. Ensure to take rest breaks if feeling tired or drowsy.
“We visited many wineries around the region after trying their wines at the Tinamba Food and Wine Festival. We went to lakes and beaches when the weather was nice or when we got the afternoon off. We went on hikes in all kinds of terrains at Wilsons Prom and Tarra Bulga National Park. All these things combined made it impossible to leave the Gippsland region.”
Samantha Congdon
Year 4C Sale, 2022
"Definitely Golden Beach if you want to relax or go for a swim on a warm weekend. I’d also recommend heading out to play a round at the local golf course in Sale or try some luck fishing in one of the nearby rivers. Sale also has some great local restaurants that are certainly worth trying!"
William La Spina
Year 5D Sale, 2024
Traralgon
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Monash Rural Health Traralgon is co-located with Latrobe Regional Health. Traralgon is located about 160 kilometres east of Melbourne within and is close to beaches, lush native rainforests and mountains.
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The Monash Rural Health site at Traralgon is co-located with Latrobe Regional Hospital. Situated over two levels, the site includes a Library which is shared with the hospital and study spaces for students which they are able to access on weekends and after hours. The upper level is also equipped with a state-of-the-art clinical skills for hands-on learning. There are also tutorial rooms and a fully stocked student common room, as well as a medical library to assist your learning and research.
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Latrobe Regional Health
Latrobe Regional Health is a purpose-built, 257-bed teaching hospital offering a suite of medical services. The hospital treats close to 115,000 people every year, more than a quarter of them in its emergency department.
Latrobe Regional Health offers a comprehensive range of specialist care across key medical and healthcare disciplines, including acute and sub-acute care, aged care, community care, psychiatric services, dental services and rehabilitation services. It operates a 24 hour emergency department and is also the principal referral hospital for the Gippsland region.
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A range of student placements are available in Traralgon for medical, nursing and allied health students.
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Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine (MD)
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Year 2
Year 2 medical students are offered the opportunity to take part in a one-week rural placement as part of the Monash MD program. Placements occur during Semesters 1 and 2.
If you complete your Year 2 placement in Traralgon, your week will be spent shadowing a local GP, touring Latrobe Regional Health and getting a taste of what the region has to offer.
Year 3B
Year 3B is your first year of hospital-based training. In Traralgon, this will be based at Latrobe Regional Health.
Over the academic year (36 weeks), medical students undertake blocks of clinical rotations, as well as learning activities at Monash Rural Health Traralgon - such as clinical skill workshops and small group tutorials.
Year 4C
In Traralgon, 4C students will undertake one 18-week regional hospital placement at Latrobe Regional Health in either Semester 1 or 2. This placement includes rotations in obstetrics and gynaecology, children's health and psychiatry.
Year 5D
Year 5D is structured as a series of six 6-week clinical rotations, transitioning you into the clinical workplace as a trainee intern. Students are able to undertake either a full year or one semester in Traralgon.
5D core rotations available in Traralgon are:
- Aged care
- Emergency medicine (Acute Care)
- Medicine
- Surgery
- Scholarly Intensive Placement (research focused)
Scholarly Intensive Placements in Traralgon are based at Latrobe Regional Health in a range of clinical and medical administration areas.
5D speciality rotations available in Traralgon are:
- Anaesthetics
- Infectious Diseases
- Intensive Care Medicine (ICU)
- Oncology
- Orthopaedics
Postgraduate medical training
The Gippsland Regional Training Hub supports medical students and junior doctors to live, work and train in Traralgon and across Gippsland in the early stages of their career.
Contact the Hub to learn about what training pathways are available in Gippsland, and how they can help you reach your career goals.
Nursing, pharmacy and allied health
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There is a range of placement opportunities across our rural sites for nursing, allied health and pharmacy students. We support students from a range of health disciplines and universities to undertake their clinical or fieldwork placements within communities across the Gippsland region.
If you would like to go to Traralgon, please speak about this with your placement coordinator.
Research degrees
View
At Monash Rural Health in Traralgon, you have the option to undertake research degrees specialising in rural health.
Honours program
If you want to add a research component to your Doctor of Medicine or Bachelor of Biomedical Science degree, Monash Rural Health offers a one-year honours program exploring clinical or data-driven projects.
Graduate research
Monash Rural Health supports and assists graduate research students to undertake either a PhD or Masters by Research in a relevant topic of their choosing.
Accommodation
Subsidised accommodation in Traralgon is available for Years 3B, 4C and 5D medical students and nursing and allied health students. All accommodation is located in the Traralgon township which is a short distance down the Princes Hwy to Monash Rural Health Traralgon and Latrobe Regional Health. A local bus service is available to travel from the town to Latrobe Regional Health, Driving by car from Traralgon to Latrobe Regional Health will take about 5-10 minutes. Wireless internet and all utilities are included in the weekly accommodation rental fee.
Student wellbeing supports
We have a team of support staff at Monash Rural Health who are able to support you with your mental health and wellbeing, accomodation issues or academic related issues. Contact our team below to see how they can support you.
Gippsland Regional Training Hub
The Monash Gippsland Regional Training Hub works to improve career opportunities for regional medical students and junior doctors and support specialist post graduate pathways and staff retention for healthcare providers in Gippsland. They offer career counselling and support, mentoring, research development opportunities as well as networking to help junior doctors and medical students in the early stages of their career.
Explore Traralgon
Traralgon is the central hub for all of the Gippsland region. With fabulous restaurants such as the best Thai food in all of Gippsland at Zaab Zaab, Asian fusion at the Little Prince, Italian at Cafe Eviva and all-you-can-eat Japanese at Okami, there is no shortage of delicious food. House of Frank, Story Sixty-One and Food Co are some amazing brunch cafes in Traralgon as well. The Traralgon Farmer’s Market also has a variety of locally sourced fresh produce and goods. The weekly community Traralgon Parkrun is a great activity for keen joggers of any calibre, and the local aquatic centre has a 50-metre pool, steam room, sauna, full gym facilities and fitness classes. Day trips up to Tarra Bulga National Park, Toorongo Falls and the 19th-century gold mining town Walhalla are a great way to relax over the weekend.
Explore some of what Traralgon has to offer:
Gippsland Performing Arts Centre
Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre
Traralgon is Gippsland's largest city. Located in the Latrobe Valley, on the Princes Highway, Traralgon offers easy access to mountains, forests and beachside getaways. Traralgon also has an ever-expanding choice of top-notch dining options and a thriving pub and club scene.
In addition to the wide range of things to do and see in Traralgon, Latrobe Regional Health, where your hospital rotations will take place, is a large modern hospital. Latrobe Regional Hospital is Gippsland’s regional specialist referral and trauma centre. It offers complete medical services including aged care, elective surgery, emergency care, maternity, mental health, pharmacy, rehabilitation and medical and radiation oncology. It also specialises in general surgical, orthopaedic, ophthalmology, gynaecology and obstetrics as well as ear, nose and throat surgery. Monash Rural Health Traralgon is located onsite next to Latrobe Regional Health, making it very convenient for students to study, practise clinical skills and study together between clinical placement rotations.
Getting here
Traralgon is located around 150 kilometres north-west of Melbourne. Getting to Traralgon is easy: board a train, bus, or drive yourself.
Public transport
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Trains
Departing from Melbourne’s Southern Cross station, the train trip to Traralgon takes approximately 2.5 hours. Currently, V/Line runs at-least hourly passenger services along the Traralgon line.
Plan your journey and buy your tickets through V/Line.
Drive
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Traralgon is about 160 km east of Melbourne and about a two-hour drive via the Princes Highway.
“Traralgon is a welcoming community so make the most of it! From going to the gym, the markets or to the local Woolies, you’ll find regular friendly faces up for a chat. The sense of community is abundant and helps to feel like you’re building a second home."
Brienna Allmann
Year 3B (2023)
Warragul
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Monash Rural Health at Warragul is co-located next to West Gippsland Hospital. Warragul is located about 102 kilometres south-east of Melbourne within arm’s reach of rainforests, mountains, and beaches.
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The Monash Rural Health site at Warragul is co-located next to West Gippsland Health Service. The hospital is an 83-bed acute facility that treats approximately 11,000 inpatients and 13,500 emergency visits each year. Monash Rural Health Warragul includes study spaces for students which they are able to access on weekends and after hours. There are also tutorial rooms and a fully stocked student common room as well as a medical library to assist your learning and research.
West Gippsland Health Service
West Gippsland Hospital is operated by West Gippsland Health Service and provides acute medical and surgical, obstetric, emergency, community and aged care services, and services a primary catchment population of approximately 52,500 people. The wide catchment area of the hospital means that you see a wide range of presentations, and all of the hospital staff are more than welcoming to medical students, providing plenty of opportunities for students passionate about specific specialties.
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A range of student placements are available in Warragul for medical, nursing and allied health students.
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Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine (MD)
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Year 2
Year 2 medical students are offered the opportunity to take part in a one-week rural placement as part of the Monash MD program. Placements occur during Semesters 1 and 2.
If you complete your Year 2 placement in Warragul, your week will be spent shadowing a local GP, touring West Gippsland Health Service and getting a taste of what the region has to offer.
"The program was a good opportunity to get some exposure to placements before Year 3. Being placed in a rural community is also quite appealing now as I like that it's a small community and hospital, allowing doctors especially GPs to build more rapport with regular patients."
Sadhana Sughesh
Year 2 Rural Placement Warragul, 2023
Year 3B
Year 3B is your first year of hospital-based training. In Warragul, this will be based at West Gippsland Healthcare Group.
Over the academic year (36 weeks), medical students undertake blocks of clinical rotations, as well as learning activities at Monash Rural Health Warragul - such as clinical skill workshops and small group tutorials.
Year 4C
In Warragul, 4C students will undertake one 18-week regional hospital placement at West Gippsland Healthcare Group in either Semester 1 or 2. This placement includes rotations in obstetrics and gynaecology, children's health and psychiatry.
4C medical students will also undertake one 18-week rural practice community rotation in West Gippsland, where you will be placed in a general practice clinic in Drouin, Morwell, Trafalgar, Warragul or Yarragon.
Year 5D
Year 5D is structured as a series of six 6-week clinical rotations, transitioning you into the clinical workplace as a trainee intern. Students are able to undertake either a full year or one semester in Warragul.
5D core rotations available in Warragul are:
- Aged care
- Emergency medicine (Acute Care)
- Medicine
- Scholarly Intensive Placement (research focused)
Scholarly Intensive Placements in Warragul are based in West Gippsland Health Service in a range of areas such as emergency, medical or surgical units.
Speciality rotations available in Warragul are:
- Emergency Medicine
- Palliative care
Postgraduate medical training
The Gippsland Regional Training Hub supports medical students and junior doctors to live, work and train in Warragul and across Gippsland in the early stages of their career.
Contact the Hub to learn about what training pathways are available in Gippsland, and how they can help you reach your career goals.
Nursing, pharmacy and allied health
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There are a range of placement opportunities across our rural sites for nursing, allied health and pharmacy students.
If you would like to go to Warragul, please speak about this with your placement coordinator.
Research degrees
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At Monash Rural Health in Warragul, you have the option to undertake research degrees specialising in rural health.
Honours program
If you want to add a research component to your Doctor of Medicine or Bachelor of Biomedical Science degree, Monash Rural Health offers a one-year honours program exploring clinical or data-driven projects.
Graduate research
Monash Rural Health supports and assists graduate research students to undertake either a PhD or Masters by Research in a relevant topic of their choosing.
Accommodation
Warragul offers some accommodation to any Monash health professions student. Subsidised accommodation in Warragul is available for Years 3B, 4C and 5D medical students and nursing and allied health students. All accommodation is a short distance to Monash Rural Health Warragul and West Gippsland Healthcare Group. Wireless internet and all utilities are included in the weekly accommodation rental fee.
Student wellbeing supports
We have a team of support staff at Monash Rural Health who are able to support you with your mental health and wellbeing, accomodation issues or academic related issues. Contact our team below to see how they can support you.
Gippsland Regional Training Hub
The Monash Gippsland Regional Training Hub works to improve career opportunities for regional medical students and junior doctors and support specialist post graduate pathways and staff retention for healthcare providers in Gippsland. They offer career counselling and support, mentoring, research development opportunities as well as networking to help junior doctors and medical students in the early stages of their career.
Explore Warragul
Warragul is situated amongst rolling green hills and dairy fields, and is a large regional centre with heritage buildings and galleries, as well as a thriving food and wine scene. There is the monthly Warragul farmers market in Civic Park, and local cultural attractions such as Laurie Collins' sculpture garden hosting unique metal sculptures as well as the. West Gippsland Arts Centre. Located in the Latrobe Valley, on the Princes Highway, Warragul is also situated close to the Mt Baw Baw snowfields. When staying in Warragul, you will be visiting the lands of the Gunaikurnai and Bunurong People.
Explore some of what Warragul has to offer:
Getting here
Warragul is located 102 km south-east of Melbourne. Getting to Warragul is easy: board a train, bus, or drive yourself.
Public transport
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Trains
Departing from Melbourne’s Southern Cross station, the train trip to Warragul takes approximately 1 hour 40 minutes. Currently, V/Line runs at-least hourly passenger services along the Traralgon line.
Plan your journey and buy your tickets through V/Line.
Bus
Whilst there is no bus service from Melbourne, Warragul town bus service services the local community 7 days per week Monday to Sunday including Public Holidays.
Drive
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Warragul is located 102 kilometres south-east of Melbourne and takes about one and a quarter hours to drive via the Princes highway.
- Warragul Farmer’s Market in Civic Park, 3rd Saturday of every month
- Walk/Run/Cycle Mount Worth State Park - temperate rainforest in Strzelecki ranges
- See a performance at the West Gippsland Arts Centre
Sophie Fontaine
3B Warragul, 2022
Contact us
Our contact hours are 9am - 4pm (Monday to Friday). Office hours may vary site to site.
Phone: +61 3 9902 7231
Email: mrh-gippsland@monash.edu
Testimonials
"I love building rapport with the patients and trying to make their time of illness and uncertainty as manageable as possible. Hearing the perspectives of palliated patients and their inspiring outlook on life would make up the most impacting learning moments as well as my time in theatre shadowing the anaesthetists."
Sophie Fontaine
Year 3B Warragul, 2022
“My time at Korumburra Medical Centre has been truly phenomenal. I’ve loved working alongside all the staff, interacting with patients and contributing towards their care. A personal highlight was certainly the opportunity to parallel-consult, which involved seeing patients on my own, before handing over to the supervising doctor. Through the patience and mentorship of my supervising doctors these became my most treasured parts of the day.”
Yash Patwardhan
Year 4C, South Gippsland (2023)
Rowan Fairbairn Kennedy
Acknowledgment
We wish to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we operate. In Bairnsdale, Sale, and Traralgon, we recognise the Gunaikurnai people; in Leongatha, the Bunurong people; and in Warragul, the Brayakaulung people of the Gunaikurnai nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and honor their enduring connection to this land.