Working in a rural, remote and isolated healthcare setting is different to working in a metropolitan area. Because of this, it’s vital that our staff are equipped with the specific skills and knowledge needed to provide world-class care in all health environments.

We focus on supporting both clinical and non-clinical rural and remote healthcare staff to succeed and build positive learning experiences.

There are education and training programs that aim to provide innovative and context-specific programs to meet the needs of rural and remote communities. These include:

  • a diverse range of digital courses offered through the Rural and Remote Digital Education program
  • virtual and in-person courses available through the Cunningham Centre, a Queensland Health registered training organisation
  • training opportunities through national programs, and external professional and industry bodies.

Rural and Remote Digital Education program

The Rural and Remote Digital Education program provides Queensland Health and external clinicians across all streams and disciplines with pre-employment orientation and ongoing training. The training is designed specifically for people working in rural, remote and isolated practice settings. It enhances their skills and understanding of how to provide primary health care that is appropriate and accessible to the community, and help clinicians understand why it is important.

Program areas include:

  • rural and remote clinical support
  • maternity and neonatal care
  • orientation and professional development.

Read more about Rural and Remote Digital Education program (formally PARROT).

Cunningham Centre

The Cunningham Centre is part of Darling Downs Health and is a registered training organisation. They deliver a wide range of programs in areas such as allied health, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, nursing and sterilisation services.

Read more about the Cunningham Centre.

Support for Rural Specialists in Australia

Support for Rural Specialists in Australia is an Australian Government initiative to support health care professionals in rural and remote Australia. It provides medical, nursing and allied health professionals with access to e-Learning modules for continuing professional development.

Read more about Support for Rural Specialists in Australia.

Queensland Rural Generalist Pathway

The Queensland Rural Generalist Pathway provides education, training and support to medical professionals interested in pursuing a rural medical career.

Read more about Queensland Rural Generalist Pathway.

Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM)

The ACRRM is a peak professional association for rural medical education and training in Australia. The ACRRM offers professional development to rural doctors through their Professional Development Program that includes Rural and Remote Medical Education Online.

Read more about Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine.

Services for Rural and Remote Allied Health (SARRAH)

SARRAH provides professional development services to allied health professionals working in rural and remote locations across Australia.

Read more about SARRAH.

Allied Health Rural Generalist Pathway

The Queensland Health Allied Health Rural Generalist Pathway supports hospital and health services to implement comprehensive service development, workforce/employment and training programs in rural and remote allied health teams.

Read more about the Allied Health Rural Generalist Pathway.