Destination Australia Regional Scholarship

1. Background

a. This Scholarship was established in 2022 to provide assistance to Faculty of Medicine and Health students studying at a regional campus. 

b. This Scholarship has been funded by Destination Australia, an Australian Government initiative.

2. Eligibility

a. Applicants must be commencing the first year of the Doctor of Medicine (Dubbo program) and be enrolled full-time at the University of Sydney.

b. Applicants must be domestic students.

3. Selection Criteria 

a. The Scholarship will be awarded based on demonstrating at least one of the following:

I. evidence that the applicant identifies as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person as per University of Sydney Confirmation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy 2015.,

II. evidence of living in any of the following remote areas for a minimum of 6 months prior to commencing the eligible degree:

i. within the bounds of Western NSW Local Health District (LHD), 

ii. within the bounds of Far West NSW LHD,

III. evidence of financial hardship, 

IV. evidence of living with a disability,

V. evidence of first in family to tertiary study, or

VI. evidence of engagement with all aspects of the medical program.

b. Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate evidence of living in more remote areas under the Modified Monash Model as classified by the Australian Government Department of Health for a minimum of 6 months prior to commencing the eligible degree.

c. The Scholarship will be awarded by the Head of School and Dean of the Sydney Medical School, or their nominated delegate(s). 

4. Value

a. The Scholarship is valued at $15,000 per annum and is tenable for four years. If a recipient is approved to hold the scholarship on a part-time basis they will receive $7,500 per annum for up to eight years.

b. The Scholarship annual value will be paid in two equal instalments after the census date of each semester. 

c. Deferral and/or suspension of the Scholarship is not permitted.

d. The scholarship cannot be transferred to another University school, faculty or university. 

e. The Scholarship will be offered subject to the availability of funds.

f. No other amount is payable.

5. Ongoing eligibility

a. To continue receipt of the Scholarship, the recipient must maintain satisfactory academic performance and completion of each year of the program.

b. Recipients undertaking an exchange during the tenure of this Scholarship are required to have achieved a Satisfied Requirements grade (SR) to receive their next payment. 

6. Termination

a. The Scholarship will be terminated if the recipient:

I. withdraws from an eligible course or fails to enrol,

II. commences part-time study without prior approval from the Director, Sydney Medical Program,

III. does not maintain satisfactory academic performance, 

IV. is determined by the University to be guilty of serious misconduct, including, but not limited to, having provided false or misleading information as part of their Scholarship application, 

V. accepts an alternative scholarship, administered by the University of Sydney, valued at $8,000 per annum or more if enrolled full-time or $4,000 per annum or more if enrolled part-time for the same purpose as this Scholarship,

VI. does not resume study at the end of a period of approved leave, or

VII. does not meet the ongoing residency conditions as indicated in the Other Requirements section.

b. Once the Scholarship has been terminated, it will not be reinstated unless due to University error. 

c. Where a student is found guilty of serious misconduct or the Scholarship is terminated under any instance in the Termination Clause of these terms and conditions, the University reserves the right to request that any Scholarship funds paid to the Scholarship recipient be reimbursed. 

7. Other requirements

a. Recipients must maintain ongoing residency in a regional area as defined by the Australian Statistical Geography Standard – Remoteness Area (2016) from the Australian Bureau of Statistics for the duration of each study period. Recipients must provide proof of address upon request. Where a course includes study outside a regional area, residency away from the regional area is permitted for no more than 6 months. In cases where the requirements of a compulsory placement exceed the permitted study period away from a regional area, approval must be sought from the Department of Education, Skills and Employment.