Emerald

A female medical worker dressed in scrubs and wearing a stethoscope standing outside a sign for Emerald Hospital.

Located 270 km west of Rockhampton, 620km southwest of Townsville and 878km northwest of Brisbane, JCU Emerald is home to the JCU Central Queensland Centre for Rural and Remote Health. Surrounded by the world’s largest sapphire gemfields to the west, and the Carnarvon Ranges to the south, Emerald is a rapidly expanding centre for rural health, regional business and agriculture.

Four adults and two children sit having a picnic in the tray of a ute.

Through the JCU Central Queensland Centre for Rural and Remote Health, students undertaking courses in allied health, nursing, medicine and dentistry can gain experience in a variety of industry-relevant settings through the rural placements on offer. Benefit from invaluable hands-on learning opportunities in private and public settings, as well as 'Service Leaning’ clinics. This dedicated regional focus encourages students to embrace regional healthcare, forge lasting connections with local communities and make a difference in facilitating access to key services.

Students completing a recognised course in one of the above health areas, who hold a Commonwealth-supported Place (CSP), can access fully subsidised accommodation for the duration of their time in Emerald.