Students / trainees

Medical Rural Bonded Scholarship (MRBS) Scheme - Summary of scholarship information

Summary information about Medical Rural Bonded Scholarship Scheme for the year 2009.

PDF printable version of Summary of scholarship information (PDF 15 KB)

Would you like a career in medicine? And are you planning to, or would be prepared to, spend a period working as a doctor in a rural or remote community? Then you should be aware of the Medical Rural Bonded Scholarship (MRBS) Scheme.

What is the MRBS Scheme?

The MRBS Scheme offers 100 scholarships annually that are linked to extra places in medical schools.

The conditions of the MRBS Scheme are as follows:

• Students must be Australian citizens or permanent residents.
  
  
• The scholarship amount for 2009 is $23,686 which is indexed annually, tax free, not subject to a means test and received yearly for as long as it normally takes to complete the medical degree.
  
  
• Students agree to practice in rural or remote areas of Australia for six continuous years upon completion of basic medical and vocational training as a specialist (including general practice).
  
  
• The scholarship is formalised in a contract between successful applicants and the Commonwealth. There are penalties for breaking the contract.
  
  
• To receive the scholarship, students first need to apply to study medicine through the usual medical schools admissions process.
  
  
• Universities manage the application and selection process of the scholarship by providing students with an expression of interest form.

The need for more doctors in rural and remote Australia is widely recognised, and many communities have identified having a local doctor as high on their list of health priorities. Those awarded a scholarship will be making a real contribution towards meeting these rural health needs.

For further information phone:

Freecall: 1800 248 720 or

Email: MRBscholarships@health.gov.au

Post:
MRBS Scheme (MDP 149)
Department of Health and Ageing
GPO Box 9848
Canberra ACT 2601

Page last reviewed: 17 February 2009