Frequently Asked Questions
RURAL AND REMOTE ACCOMMODATION
What kind of accommodation options do I have?
Flinders Rural and Remote Health manages a range of accommmodation options in rural South Australia and the Northern Territory. These range from freestanding houses, to units and apartments. All accommodation offered by Flinders is designed to provide a positive experience whilst you are on your placement, giving you a space to live and learn while you are 'going rural'.
What is the accommodation like?
Accommodation is in the form of shared houses or units/apartments, depending on your location, with single room accommodation for each resident. Kitchen, living areas, bathrooms etc are all shared spaces for the use of all residents within the property.
Can I request to stay in a particular property?
All property requests are managed and approved by our Accommodation Services staff. You are welcome to make a request during the booking process, but we cannot guarantee that we will be able to meet your request.
My friend and I are both going to the same location for our placement. Can we stay together?
Available rooms are shown during the booking process. You are welcome to request the same location as your friend, but we cannot guarantee that we will be able to meet your request.
Can I bring my pet/s with me on placement?
No. Pets are not allowed in any Flinders Rural and Remote Health accommodation. If you are found to have a pet on the premises, you and all of your house mates will be charged a minimum cleaning fee of $200 in order to clean the property, and you will be asked to remove the pet immediately.
My partner and/or my children would like to come and stay with me during my placement. Is that OK?
No. Partners, children and other family members or friends are not accommodated in Flinders Rural and Remote accommodation. They are welcome to visit you for the day, but they cannot stay on the property. Please see the terms and conditions provided during your offer for details about visitors to the accommodation.
What will I need to bring to my accommodation?
All personal belongings, such as your toiletries, clothes and shoes, etc, will need to be brought with you, as well as your own food stuffs. In many properties you will also need to bring your own linen (the specific type/size will be outlined once you have accepted your booking) - this will be outlined in your offer letters and correspondence. All Flinders properties are furnished with the basics, including a full working kitchen and study space, and you will have your own bedroom. Please note bathrooms in the facilities are usually shared. We strongly suggest that you leave valuables at home, as we cannot guarantee the safety of your belongings whilst in our accommodation.
When do I check in/out of the property and collect my keys? Check in is generally the Sunday before your placement starts, with check out the Saturday after your placement ends. If you wish to negotiate times around this you will need to discuss this with the Accommodation Officers (please note it during your application). There is no guarantee that we will be able to assist you if you wish to change these check in/out times. Keys are generally held either in locked boxes at the property or in a safe location nearby - full details will be provided closer to your check in date.
When does the cleaner come? I need my washing done.
There are no cleaning services offered during your stay. You and your house mates (if applicable) will be required to keep the property in good condition during your placement, and basic cleaning materials will be provided in most properties. Failure to keep the property clean and tidy may result in you being charged cleaning fees upon your check out. Any damage will need to be reported immediately via this portal, and will be assessed on a case by case basis (charges may apply). Further details of house maintenance (for eg, when the bins need to go out) will be provided within the property when you arrive.
Please note that our staff conduct regular inspections of Flinders property to ensure that it is being kept clean and tidy.
Something in my property has stopped working or is damaged. What should I do?
If the issue is urgent (for example, your hot water system has stopped working or a tap is leaking), you can contact our staff directly via the emergency contact details provided within your accommodation. These are generally found either on or near your refrigerator, or on a notice board within one of the common rooms.
All other maintenance that is not urgent should be reported via the Maintenance tab on this portal. The tab will become visible after you have checked into your property. You will need to enter as much detail as possible so we can assess and fix the problem as required and as soon as is practicable.
APPLICATION PROCESS
How does the application process work?
Once you have registered, you will be taken to the booking portal to enter your details and, if applicable, choose your accommodation option. Please note that we cannot guarantee that your choice of accommodation will be the same as the location in which you may be offered assistance. You will also be asked to enter your placement details.
Once we receive your application it will be assessed by our staff and you will receive an email informing you of the outcome. If we offer you accommodation assistance you will then need to return to this portal via the link provided and accept or decline your offer.
How long will it take to receive my offer?
Please allow several days for your application to be assessed by our staff. We will contact you with the outcome as soon as possible.
I have been placed on a waiting list. What does this mean?
Due to the high demand for accommodation assistance, Flinders Rural and Remote Health employs a priority system in order to allocate accommodation options. To manage our properties, we utilise a waiting list, where we can determine whether options are available during your placement time on a case by case basis. If you have chosen to join a waiting list, we now have your details on file, and will contact you with any available options in your location as soon as they become available. Please note that being on the waiting list does not guarantee that we can assist you with accommodation during your placement, and it is suggested that you make alternate arrangements should assistance not be available from Flinders Rural and Remote Health.
I don't like what I have been offered. Can I ask for something else?
No. All offers by our staff are final, and based on current availability and best fit for your upcoming placement.
How long do I have to respond to my offer once I receive it?
You have 48 hours from the date your offer was made to reply and make your initial security deposit payment. Failure to respond during this time frame may result in your offer being cancelled and your accommodation being offered to another student.
I am an international student. The website will not allow me to book accommodation, why is that?
At present, Flinders University Rural and Remote Health is not able to offer accommodation solutions to international full fee paying (IFFP) students, as our funding parameters specifically require us to assist domestic students in the first instance. On rare occasions we may have vacancies in properties when domestic students are unable to take a place, and in this case we may, at our discretion, offer a solution to IFFP students before a placement. Please register on this site and fill in your placement details, so if there is a vacancy we can contact you, but please do not rely on this possibility to secure accommodation during your placement.
NOTE: International Full Fee Paying students who falsify their status in order to book accommodation as a domestic student will be reported to their faculty and barred from any future accommodation assistance. Students already in accommodation who are found to have falsified their application will be evicted and no fees or payments made to secure/pay for accommodation will be refunded.
My application in Rural SA took me to information about Hospital accommodation options. What does this mean?
In some regions, hospitals are able to offer some students access to discount or free accommodation on or near hospital grounds that is managed by the hospital. In this case you will be offered the opportunity to receive information about this accommodation, and if you are interested we can send this through to you. Please note that, in these cases, it is your responsibility to make contact with the hospital and organise your accommodation with them directly. Flinders will not do this on your behalf. Note that this accommodation often fills quickly on a first come, first served basis, so you are encouraged to contact the hospital at your earliest convenience.
FEES AND CHARGES
How much does Flinders accommodation cost?
Our accommodation ranges from being fully subsidised, to charges of $150 per week, depending on the applicant status. Full details regarding fees and charges will be outlined at the start of the application process, and within your terms and conditions once you have been offered accommodation assistance.
All applicants offered accommodation are expected to pay a security deposit of $200 to secure their accommodation booking. This deposit will be refunded at the end of your stay subject to meeting your terms and conditions.
I am being charged for my accommodation. Can I get some kind of reimbursement?
Some institutions assist students with accommodation and/or transport costs during placement. Please contact your faculty/institution directly for advice and assistance.
How do I make payments for my accommodation?
All payments are made via this online portal, via credit card. Once you have registered and your offer is made you will be able to make payments by visiting the 'Accounts' section.
Payment for your security deposit is made during the offer/acceptance process, not via 'Accounts'. Please access your offer in order to pay your security deposit and accept your accommodation assistance. (see below)
Do I have to pay for my accommodation up front?
All offers require the applicant to make a $200 security deposit in order to reserve their accommodation, with payment expected within 48 hours of the offer being made. Full details will be outlined at the beginning of the booking process.
I am having problems paying for my accommodation. What should I do?
We always encourage students to contact us as soon as possible if they are experiencing financial difficulty. We are here to help you and want to ensure your stay is as enjoyable as possible, so if you are experiencing financial hardship, please contact your faculty/institution directly, or you can speak to our staff via email at the addresses below (either Rural SA or NT depending on your accommodation location).
Please note that students with overdue fees may be subject to university sanctions, including blocks on graduation and on University Library access, which is why it is so important to talk to staff if you are experiencing problems with fee payment. (Please see the Accommodation Terms and Conditions for more information about sanctions for non-payment).
GENERAL
I do not have a drivers licence or access to a vehicle. Can I still apply for accommodation?
Flinders Rural and Remote Health requires all students on placement to have a valid Australian Drivers Licence in order to apply for accommodation. If you do not have a valid licence you may be refused accommodation assistance. Please contact our staff via email if you wish to discuss this further.
Will the property have internet access? What about the power and water bills?
Where possible, all Flinders Rural and Remote properties will provide internet access to students for educational purposes only. In some circumstances, however, this will not be possible, but we will inform you of this before you undertake your placement.
All utilities are covered during your placement, providing you keep your usage to acceptable levels. Please see the terms and conditions provided during the offer process for important information regarding utilities and internet usage.
I am concerned about staying with other students who may not understand my cultural/medical/dietary needs. Can I request special consideration for my booking?
If you would like to make a special request, please do so via the 'Additional Comments' section when you are making your booking. This may include cultural, medical, dietary etc. concerns. Whilst we cannot guarantee that we will be able to meet your request, we will certainly take it into consideration when finalising your offer.
***I have never lived away from home before, and never lived in a regional area. I am a bit apprehensive... ***
Leaving home for the first time might seem like a scary prospect, but you will likely be sharing accommodation with other students who could very well be in the same position as you. You are also encouraged to reach out to your placement coordinator, and your faculty, while you are on your rural placement if you are experiencing difficulties or challenges. The staff at Flinders Rural and Remote Health are all here to help too, so please contact us if you would like to chat or you have any concerns.
Please rest assured that many students come from the city on rural placements, and the vast majority thoroughly enjoy their experience, with some deciding to 'go rural' in their future career as a result! You may find it challenging at times, but that rural placement can not only be incredibly rewarding, but can also put you on the path to meeting new friends, sharing new experiences, and learning more about yourself along the way!