Allocation process

All Australian states and territories commence intern allocation on the same day to create uniformity for applicants who have applied in multiple states. See important dates for allocation dates.

The South Australian intern allocation process is undertaken in order of applicant categories. Within the relevant category groups applicants are allocated to their highest possible preference via an electronic, randomisation algorithm. The process runs as follows:

• Category 1.1, first preferences:  Applicants are randomly selected and allocated to their first preference as long as positions remain available. If there are no longer positions available in an applicant’s first preference, they will not receive an offer in the first round.  When positions become full or all applicants’ first preferences are exhausted, notifications will be sent to applicants and responses collected within a required time period before proceeding with second preference allocations.*

*For category 1.1 only – If applicants decline their first preference offer, the position will be made available to applicants in this category who have not yet received an offer for their first preference prior to allocation of second preference offers. Once you have received an offer, you will not be offered any further positions.

• Category 1.1 other preferences: The allocation algorithm is run on remaining unmatched group 1.1 applicants for second preferences. Unmatched applicants are again selected randomly and if a position in the applicant’s second preference network is available they will be allocated to this network. If all positions are full, the algorithm will skip this applicant and move on to the next randomly selected applicant’s second preference. When all applicants’ second preferences are exhausted, the system will commence third preference allocations and then fourth preference allocations. When positions are filled, successful applicants are sent a notification email and given a time period in which to accept or decline the offer.
• Other Category Groups: The allocation algorithm is run according to the above sequence through each category group in respective order until all positions have been filled or all applicants have been offered a position.

Allocation is an ongoing process and the timing of offers is dependent on positions being available. As positions become available due to applicants declining offers, further allocation rounds will be run according to the above sequence. Due to large numbers of applications received, positions become full quickly as the allocation process continues, however positions are regularly made available again as declines are received.

You will be advised of your allocation via email and will be given a specified time-frame in which to respond. You may also check the status of your application at any time after submission by logging in. Your ACCEPT or DECLINE response must be received on-line via your application log-in. If a response is not received within the specified timeframe, your offer of an intern position in SA will automatically be declined.

If you accept a position, you will be required to complete preferential ranking of the rotations available in your allocated network via your on-line application. Your name and all information will be provided to the network and they will provide you with an employment contract. Typically contracts will not be issued until later in the year.  Please refer any queries regarding contracts to the Local Health Networks directly.

Applicants will be allocated to a maximum of one intern position via SA’s intern allocation process. You are not able to swap or negotiate to obtain an alternate position.

You may withdraw your application at any stage by logging in after you have submitted your application.

If you have applied to other states and territories for an intern position you are strongly urged to only accept one position in order to ensure that your colleagues are also offered a position.  The National Audit of Intern acceptances monitors applicants who have accepted multiple positions regularly throughout the allocation process and requires timely decisions to be made.

To limit multiple acceptances across the states, you are required to withdraw your application with SA IMET if you have accepted an intern position elsewhere.  SA IMET reserves the right to withdraw offers from applicants who have accepted and are holding multiple positions in different states/territories.