Rural Access Scheme
We understand students living in rural or remote areas can face many barriers when it comes to accessing tertiary education.
Applicants from rural and remote backgrounds may be considered for one of the places reserved for Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science in the QTAC Rural Access Scheme.
Important dates
Applications for Rural Access Scheme places in the 2027 intake at JCU will open in August 2026.
| Activity | Dates |
|---|---|
| QTAC and JCU applications open for Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science | 4 August 2026 |
| Rural Access Scheme applications open | 4 August 2026 |
| Rural Access Scheme applications close | 29 September 2026 |
| QTAC and JCU applications close for Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science | 30 September 2026 |
Eligible JCU courses
JCU reserves a small number of Rural Access Scheme places to study:
- Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery
- Bachelor of Dental Surgery
- Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours)
Rural or remote areas
You must have lived in designated rural or remote areas of Australia for at least five consecutive years (60 months) or ten years cumulatively (120 months). You don’t have to be living there at the time you apply.
Location status check
- Visit the Health Workforce Locator
- Choose the 'Modified Monash Model'
- Select '2023' as the year
- Enter your full address.
Rural or remote locations are in categories two to seven, denoted as MM 2 - 7.
Students who live away from their rural or remote home during school terms may still be eligible. Please use your rural or remote home address as your residential address.
Applications
Steps to apply
- Download and complete a cover sheet
- Gather your supporting documents
- Upload your cover sheet and documents to your QTAC application.
Forms and other information about the Rural Access Scheme are available on the QTAC website.
Supporting documents
These documents are evidence that you lived in rural or remote Australia for the period required. These could include utility bills, bank statements, notices of assessment, tax returns, Centrelink correspondence or rental agreements.
All applicants for Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science degrees at JCU will be automatically invited to apply for a place under the scheme. However, please note the deadline for uploading your cover letter and supporting documents to QTAC is prior to the closing date for your course applications through QTAC and JCU.
Regional Preference Scheme for other JCU courses
If you live in regional or remote Australia and want to apply for a different course at JCU, you may qualify for the Regional Preference Scheme.
This scheme is not available for entry to Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Science degrees, postgraduate degrees or graduate entry programs.
Eligible applicants will receive an adjustment of your ATAR by two ranks at the time you are assessed. This means you don’t need to apply for this scheme, we do it for you.