The NSW Health Department has advised that for 2010 and beyond, all Australian citizen and permanent resident medical graduates from NSW universities, or from interstate universities if they have completed Year 12 in NSW, will be guaranteed an internship. This includes both Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and Domestic Full Fee (DFF) medical graduates.

The DFF group comprises students studying at public universities in places that will be phased out by the Australian Government (last graduate expected in 2014) and those studying at one private university in NSW, University of Notre Dame (whose graduates enter the system in 2012). The inclusion of DFF positions only extends to those students in currently approved DFF pipeline positions in public and private universities. 

Please click on the links for a summary of the eligibility and process for allocating intern positions in 2010 and 2011.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Allocation of Medical Graduates to Internships in NSW Hospitals 2010 and Beyond

This FAQ is developed for medical students who will be seeking internships in NSW for the years 2010, 2011 and beyond.

What changes are being made to the allocation of medical graduates to internship positions?

NSW has successfully accommodated an increase in intern numbers of over 24% between 2007 and 2009.  The number of commencing interns has been greater than the total number of graduates from NSW universities.

Prior to the 2010 clinical year, all eligible internship applicants (including medical graduates and Australian Medical Council (AMC) graduates) were granted an internship in NSW hospitals.

Under the new arrangements, the total number of interns who will be allocated to the system will be a combination of the number of guaranteed positions and Area Health Service (AHS) workforce requirements. 

What has changed for internship applicants for 2010?

If you are seeking an internship in NSW for 2010, you will apply to the NSW Institute of Medical Education and Training (IMET) for an internship position in the same way as in previous years.

Should the number of applicants exceed the number of positions available, a priority listing will be invoked.

Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and existing domestic full fee (DFF) medical graduates who either, graduated from a NSW university or who completed year 12 studies in NSW are guaranteed a position in 2010.

Refer to Chart A

If I decline my first round offer, will I get another offer in the second or subsequent rounds?

No. If an applicant declines the position offered, no further positions will be offered during that allocation intake. 

What are my options if I did not get an allocation in first round?

If there are positions available after the first round of offers, NSW IMET will conduct a second round of offers for applicants who have not yet recieved an offer, as per the priority listing, to fill remaining positions.

Refer to Chart A 

If I get an offer in the second round will I be able to swap if I am not happy with my allocation?

No. There is no swap process for the second or any subsequent rounds of offers.

Will there be a third round of offers and if so when will these be made?

Due to positions still being available in some networks NSW IMET is now opening a third round of offers. The opening date is Wednesday, 19 August 2009 and applicants will have until Friday, 21 August 2009 to accept or decline their offer. These offers will be made as per the priority list.

Refer to Chart A

What has changed for internship applicants for 2011 and subsequent years?

If you are seeking an internship in NSW for 2011, you will apply to the NSW Institute of Medical Education and Training (IMET) for an internship position in the same way as in previous years.

Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and existing domestic full fee (DFF) medical graduates who either, graduated from a NSW university or who completed year 12 studies in NSW are guaranteed a position in 2011 and in subsequent years.

Should the number of internship positions available be greater than the number of guaranteed graduates, the remaining positions will be filled through a merit ranking process for which all other eligible applicants are welcome to apply.

Refer to Chart B

How will the merit ranking system work?

NSW IMET is currently determining how the merit ranking system will operate and will be seeking input from relevant stakeholders. Further information will be advised prior to the commencement of the application process. 

The NSW Health Recruitment Selection Policy will apply. This policy outlines the requirement for Australian and New Zealand citizens and permanent residents to be given preference over non-citizens.

There is a plan to test the merit ranking system once developed with medical student volunteers. If you are interested to participate as a student, please contact NSW IMET on (02) 9844 6546.

I am a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) medical graduate who is currently studying in interstate however I completed Year 12 (HSC) in NSW. Am I guaranteed an allocation?

Yes, please refer to Chart B

I am a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) medical graduate who is currently studying in interstate, however I have not completed Year 12 (HSC) in NSW. Am I guaranteed an allocation?

No, please refer to Chart B. You are able to apply for a placement through merit selection.

I am a domestic full fee medical graduate who is currently studying interstate and I completed Year 12 (HSC) in NSW. Am I guaranteed an allocation?

Yes please refer to Chart B

I am a domestic full fee medical graduate who is currently studying in NSW. Am I guaranteed an allocation?

Yes please refer to Chart B

I am a New Zealand citizen who is in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) or a domestic full fee place in a NSW university. Will I be allocated to an internship?

Yes. The Australian Government recognises New Zealand citizens living in Australia as equivalent to permanent residents through the Special Category visa (sub class 444).

All Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and domestic full fee medical graduates from NSW universities will be guaranteed an internship.

Will I be notified about more details on the allocation process for 2011 and beyond?

The allocation process is undertaken in the year prior to the internship intake. NSW IMET publishes the details of each allocation within enough time each year for applicants to apply.  NSW IMET will run information sessions on the allocation process at NSW universities and publish details on NSW IMET’s website.

How many intern positions will be available for 2011 and beyond?

The number of intern positions available is determined each year for the following year allocation. The total number of positions is based on workforce needs of the health services.

Does NSW IMET allocate interns to work in ACT hospitals?

NSW IMET allocates to 14 prevocational training networks in NSW.

NSW IMET does not allocate to Network 15 which includes facilities in ACT.

Applicants wishing to work in ACT should contact ACT Health.