You are here: Home / Northern Clinical School / Electives / FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the application process work?

First you must read and agree to all information and conditions on this web site relating to electives. Once you have done this and compiled the required documentation, submit your application to the Electives Coordinator.
Applications received less than 3 months prior to the requested commencement date will be rejected.
No places will be held for you until the following completed paperwork is received by fax or email:

  • NCS Application form
  • NCS Payment form
  • USyd CCE enrolment form
  • Prohibited Employment Declaration form
  • Vaccination Declaration form
  • Written proof from your university or other appropriate body (in English or with a certified translation) that you are covered by insurance for public and professional liability (including medical malpractice) while doing your elective in Australia.
  • A letter of good standing from a senior Faculty member of your school (in English or with a certified translation)

ALL above documentation must be submitted for your application to be considered, do not send anything until you have compiled everything. Once copies (in the first instance) of the above are received, places will be held on your behalf. You then have 2 weeks to send either the originals or certified copies to keep these places. Standard copies do not suffice.
When we have these, we will contact the departments and once they agree, the payment will then be processed.
At this stage, if you have already sent your Criminal Record Check (again, original or certified copy), your elective will be officially confirmed.
Any paperwork that is not in English, MUST be accompanied by a certified English translation.
If you have not yet sent your Criminal Record Check, the elective will be unofficially confirmed on the condition that the CRC is received as soon as is possible but at the very latest, 3 months before the elective commences.

Back to Top

What is a certified copy?

A certified copy is a copy that has been certified, usually by either a Solicitor, Justice of the Peace or a Notary Public. It must carry the statement: "I certify that this is a true copy of the original document shown to me" along with the name and signature of the person who certified it and the date. A family member cannot certify documents for you but we will accept documents certified by a senior member of your Faculty as long as it also states their position and carries the
University’s stamp/seal. If a document is more than one page, each page must be certified and this must be done on the actual copy, not on the back of it.
Be sure your copy is certified correctly or it will be rejected.

Back to Top

Who can translate a document?

All translations must be certified translations. This means that the person who does the translation must be suitably qualified to do so. This depends on the country you come from so you will need to check with the appropriate authorities.

Back to Top

What kind of visa will I need?

In relation to visas, you need to contact the Australian Mission where you intend to lodge your application. Explain to them exactly what you're coming for and what you'll be doing and they will decide which visa is most appropriate. We are not permitted to advise you on visa requirements as these can differ from place to place. Also, your nationality can be relevant to what is required. You are advised to actually go into the Mission and speak to an immigration officer as it's often difficult to get correct information by other means such as phone or internet.

Back to Top

Same rights and duties statements

We are unable to sign off on "same rights and duties" for a number of reasons such as:

  1. Our students have access to the Graduate Medical Program web site which contains a lot of their learning materials. Elective students do not have access to this site as the content is very specific to our program so is not necessary for Elective students.
  2. Our Medical program is a 4 year Graduate program so does not always correspond to that of an Elective student from another University. Clinically, Elective students are granted the same rights and duties as our own students and while welcome to attend large group lectures, are not included in the smaller group learning sessions.
  3. Our students are covered by the University of Sydney’s insurance policies whereas Elective students are not.

For German students in particular, the following statements on your forms will be amended as follows:

“The student was not enrolled in the university above, but had the same clinical rights and responsibilities as students from our university.”
“_____ has been on a par clinically with the medical students concerned during his/her stay at the…..”
“She/He has had the same clinical rights, duties and responsibilities as medical students of the…..”


Back to Top

If I already have my elective confirmed, can I change my dates or specialties?

We will always try to accommodate changes providing enough notice is given. Once you have started your placement, changes can only be made in exceptional circumstances.

Back to Top

My University states that I must do a 30 day elective. If I do 4 weeks, is this enough?

No. You need to check with your University how flexible they are on this ruling. Electives are measured in weeks so you could do 4 weeks (28 days) or 5 weeks (35 days). Should you decide to do only 4 weeks, we will not, under any circumstances, sign your elective off as 30 days.

Back to Top

What if I am sick and have to have time off?

If you are away sick for 2 or more days, you will be required to show a Doctor’s certificate.
German students who are not allowed any absent days by their own authorities must get a doctor’s certificate even if it’s only one day.

Back to Top

Where should I report on my first day?

All students will be emailed reporting instructions the week prior to the start of the elective period.

For electives at other hospitals – You will be contacted the week before you are due to start with this information.

Please do not be late. Unless prior arrangements have been made with the Electives Coordinator, late starters may be turned away and their electives may be cancelled all together.

Back to Top

Can I get student concession on public transport?

No. The NSW State Government policy states that only students who are registered full-time in NSW are eligible for a concession on public transport. Inspectors do regularly check tickets and will give on-the-spot fines. They do not often let people off with a warning. You should have an International Student ID Card for other things such as entry to places etc. as your student ID from home may not be accepted everywhere.

Back to Top

What should I wear during my elective?

As a medical student you will be involved in day-to-day interactions with patients, members of the public and medical staff, including the discussion of sensitive issues and the performance of a range of clinical duties. Thus, while attending the ward, clinics or general practice, your dress and general appearance should be appropriate.

As an overall guideline, a medical student must appear well groomed and professional. Your official hospital ID badge must be displayed prominently at all times so that your status as a student is clear to all. For males, trousers and a shirt and tie is expected. Females should dress modestly, avoid wearing tops that are low-cut or bare the midriff or short skirts etc. Trainers and jeans are not acceptable items of clothing. Sandals or open-toed shoes are inappropriate for clinical areas as sharp objects such as dropped needles may pierce the foot.
Theatre scrubs can only be worn within designated areas and are provided by the hospital.

For students doing an Emergency attachment, scrubs are not provided and students are advised to dress as per the above guidelines or bring their own scrubs.
For all other attachments, students should dress as per the usual guidelines. A white coat is not necessary.

While Australia is not a very formal place, you need to remember that our society is a very multicultural one and what could be offensive to others should be taken into consideration.

Back to Top

Can I get a refund or postpone my elective?

The fees are non-refundable unless you can provide a very good reason for cancelling. Should this be the case, you will need to provide written proof and a full or partial refund is decided on a case-by-case basis.

If you wish to postpone your elective, this may be possible (depending on availability) as long as you provide at least 3 months notice and as long as the new commencement date is within 6 months of the previously confirmed commencement date.

Back to Top

How can I find accommodation?

See the “Accommodation” page in the Electives section of our web site.

Back to Top