Intern application FAQ's
Commonly asked questions
When will applications for 2014 intern positions open?
See important dates.
Am I likely to be offered an intern position for 2014?
SA MET is not able to determine the likelihood of any applicant being offered an intern position for 2014. Once the allocation process has commenced, updates on the progress will be posted regularly on the SA MET website.
Is SA MET still accepting applications to commence a medical internship in 2013?
No. SA MET only accepts applications from applicants who can begin work on the January start date. For employment outside of this time frame please contact the hospitals directly.
Does SA MET provide positions for applicants who graduate mid-year?
No, applicants must be able to begin working on the January start date and fulfil the minimum 12 month contract. For employment outside of this time frame please contact the hospitals directly.
Can I defer my internship?
If you are offered an intern position in South Australia you must be able to commence work on the January start date. Internships cannot be deferred. If you wish to take a year off before undertaking your internship you will need to apply again the following year.
You should also note that the Medical Board of Australia has specific requirements for registration that limit the time that an individual may defer undertaking their internship in order to obtain registration. Longer periods may require written permission from the MBA and may involve the individual attending retraining in the final year of the undergraduate course.
Can I complete my internship on a part-time basis?
Part–time intern appointments may be considered by some health networks, however part-time positions are not guaranteed. Part-time internships may only be available if there is another applicant who is willing to job share.
Applicants wishing to apply for internship on a part-time basis must meet the relevant eligibility criteria. During the allocation process, part–time applications will be discussed with the relevant health network and each case considered on an individual basis.
Which graduates are guaranteed a position in SA for 2014?
An intern place is currently guaranteed in SA for category group 1.1 applicants under the 2006 COAG commitment.
I am a South Australian graduate who does not hold permanent residence in Australia. Am I likely to get a position in SA?
You will be in category 3.1 so positions will be offered to applicants in categories 1.1, 1.2, 2.1 and 2.2 before you will be offered a position. In previous years, all South Australian graduates have been offered an intern position in South Australia however this may not continue to be case.
I am a South Australian graduate who does not hold permanent residence in Australia, will my category group change if I get my permanent residence after the application closing date?
If your residency status changes after the application closing date and prior to the first round of allocations, you may provide evidence to SA MET and your category group will be reassessed. Any changes after the allocation has commenced will not be considered.
I am a medical graduate from overseas, can I apply for an internship position in SA?
No, International Medical Graduates (IMG) are not eligible to apply through SA MET’s process. IMGs can register for employment via the SA Health Careers website.
Does any of the supporting documentation need to be certified?
No, supporting documentation do not need to be certified.
Why do you need my passport or citizenship certificate?
In order to apply for an internship in South Australia you will need to provide proof of your citizenship status, the most common way to provide proof of citizenship is a passport or citizenship certificate.
Why do you need my CV if the allocation process is random?
After the allocation has occurred, hospitals wish to familiarise themselves with the education and skills of the interns that have been allocated to them and CVs are the best means for this.
Where can I find an example of a CV?
A CV template is provided in the resources section of this website. This example is not compulsory to use and is provided as a guide only. Referees are not required for the intern application.
Do I need to nominate referees in my application and/or CV?
No, applicants are not required to nominate referees for this application as allocation is randomised and is not merit based.
What is the salary of an intern in South Australia?
Refer to SA Industrial Relations - search under South Australian Medical Officers Award
What training health networks are in South Australia and where are they located?
Central Adelaide Local Health Network
- Royal Adelaide Hospital - North Terrace, ADELAIDE SA 5000 – 1.5km from Adelaide CBD
- The Queen Elizabeth Hospital - 28 Woodville Road, WOODVILLE SA 5011 - 8.9km west of Adelaide CBD
Northern Adelaide Local Health Network
- Lyell McEwin Hospital - Haydown Road, ELIZABETH VALE SA 5112 - 24km north of Adelaide CBD
- Modbury Hospital - Smart Road, MODBURY SA 5092 - 15.4km North East of Adelaide CBD
Southern Adelaide Local Health Network
- Flinders Medical Centre - Flinders Drive, BEDFORD PARK SA 5042 – 12.4km south of Adelaide CBD
- Noarlunga Health Service - Alexander Kelly Drive, NOARLUNGA CENTRE, SA 5168 – 31.4km south of Adelaide CBD
- Repatriation General Hospital - 216 Daws Rd, DAW PARK SA 5041 – 8.7km south of Adelaide CBD
Country Health SA Local Health Network
- Mount Gambier & Districts Health Service - 276-300 Wehl Street North MOUNT GAMBIER SA 5290 – 430km south east of Adelaide
Technical and site problems
What are the technical requirements to use this application system?
In order to use this application system you need:
- An internet connection.
- A valid and unique email address. This is used as your user identification and to communicate with you.
Can I access this application form on my mobile phone?
This site has been designed for use on standard desktop computers, laptops and on mobile devices such as smartphones (eg iPhone, BlackBerry) and tablets (eg iPad). You may find however that some functions of the application process will not work on mobile devices such as the uploading of supporting documentation. This step will need to be completed using a standard desktop, laptop or notebook computer.
Why can’t I access the program or some of its functions?
If you are having trouble accessing this program you should ensure that you:
- Use a standard desktop, notebook or laptop computer. This site may not function correctly or completely from smartphones (eg iPhone, BlackBerry etc) or tablets (eg iPad).
- Have internet access and ensure it is working correctly.
- Type the web address correctly. You can click on it from here.
- Enter your email address correctly
- Enter your password correctly. If you cannot remember your password, you can reset it on the login screen.
If all of above have been checked then please contact the SA MET office for assistance.
Why does it take so long to load?
This site uses commonly available web-based technology to deliver the application system. If pages are taking a long time to load you should:
- Check your internet connection and ensure that it is working correctly.
- Try accessing the page at a different time.
- Use it at a site with a faster internet connection speed. This may be your workplace or another location.
If all of above have been checked then please contact the SA MET office for assistance.
My attachments are bigger than 2MB and I can’t upload them
Uploaded documents must be less than 2Mb in size. You can reduce the file size of your documents by:
- Removing images from the document.
- Reducing the size or resolution of an image.
- Converting the file to a 'pdf' format.
- Scanning documents at low resolution (eg 100 dpi rather than 300 dpi), as a document (not an image or photo) and scan in black and white.
What do I do if I experience problems with the application system?
In the first instance, save your application, close your internet browser and then log in again. Try using another internet browser, for example Mozilla Firefox instead of Internet Explorer.
If an error message is produced, please take a screen dump (Alt + Print Screen) of the message and paste it into an email to SA MET with an explanation of what you were doing at the time.
For all other queries, please contact SA MET on (08) 8226 7231
Registration and logging in
What if I don't have an email address?
Every user requires an individual email address in order to use this website. This is used as your user identification and to communicate with you. There are a number of options for email addresses. These include:
- Use of a personal hospital/health service email address.
- Use of a personal or private email address.
- If you do not have either of the above you could obtain a personal or private email address by signing up for one with your internet service provider, or from one of the web based email providers such as Google, Hotmail, Yahoo or a range of other providers.
- Utilising an email address that belongs to a family member or friend (eg husband, wife, son, daughter, sister, brother etc). You do need to remember however that you will need to obtain copies of all communications and that you will need to enter a security code that is emailed to this address before you can complete you application.
- Many internet service providers allow multiple email addresses and a family member may be able to utilise this facility for you.
Why do I need to input a security code?
For security reasons you are required to validate your account.
Once you have registered to apply you will receive a confirmation email containing a unique security code, you will need to enter this code into your application before you are able to complete and submit it.
When should I receive the email with my security code?
This should be received within a few minutes of commencing your application. If you have not received one you should:
- Check your junk mail folder
- Check your email address and ensure you have typed it correctly
- Contact SA MET to regenerate your security code
Can I log out and come back in another time?
You can log in as many times as you like if you are unable to complete your application in one sitting.
Application dates and process
How do I apply for an internship commencing in 2014?
Eligible applicants can apply online, please refer to important dates for application opening and closing dates.
When do I need to provide my supporting documents?
You will need to upload all of the required documentation in your on-line application by the closing date.
I am not able to complete my application by the closing date
Application closing dates are agreed to be all Australian states and territories and apply to all applicants applying for an intern position in Australia. In order to be considered for a position, you must complete your application by the closing date of applications. Late applications will not be accepted.
Will SA MET contact me after the application closing date if I have provided insufficient information in my application?
Yes, you will receive an automated email asking you to check the status of your application. If we require further information from you it is your responsibility to provide the information within the required timeframe. Failure to provide required documentation means your application will not be included in the allocation process.
How are applicants categorised in South Australia?
Please see categories
How does the allocation process work in South Australia?
Please see SA MET allocation process
What documentation do I need to complete my application?
Please see supporting documentation
How will I find out if I have got a position?
SA MET will send correspondence to you via email. You may only have a short time to respond so please monitor your email regularly. Alternatively you may log in to the system to check the status of your application.
What do I do if I do not get matched to a position?
If you have not been matched to a position at the end of the process, your name will be provided for the National Vacancy Support System. Please do not contact SA MET to get an update on the progress of your application during the allocation rounds. The status of your application can be checked on-line.
What happens if I don’t respond by the due date?
If you fail to accept or decline an offer, your offer will automatically be declined and you will not be offered a further position in SA.
Can I move into another hospital position (ie preferred position) that becomes available when someone else withdraws after my initial acceptance?
The allocation system and SA MET are not able to accommodate swaps or reallocations. Once you have been matched to a position, your only options are to accept or decline the offered position. SA MET will only match you to one position.
Am I able to swap my allocation with another person?
No, swapping is not allowed.
What happens if I am offered a position in SA but am waiting on an offer from interstate?
You can initially accept an offer in SA and wait to receive an offer from interstate. However as soon as you accept an offer from interstate you are required to notify SA MET that you are withdrawing your offer from SA. It is not acceptable to hold two or more offers from various states for a period of more than 72 hours.
The National Audit of Intern Acceptances works to reduce the number of duplicate acceptances across all states. You will be contacted if you continue to hold more than one position for an extended period of time.
SA MET reserves the right to withdraw offers from applicants who are holding onto two or more intern positions across Australia.
How do I withdraw my application from the allocation process?
Once you have submitted your application you may withdraw at any time. Simply log in to your application using your existing login details and press the withdraw button.
SA MET requests that you withdraw your application in SA if you have accepted a position in an interstate hospital.
Can my partner and I apply as a couple?
You may not apply for special consideration purely on the basis of a relationship however graduates in a couple relationship who can demonstrate “exceptional circumstances” to undertake their intern position in a particular region may apply for special consideration.
Criteria that may be considered as exceptional circumstances include
- Major health problems requiring frequent and ongoing highly specialised treatment only available in certain locations;
- Responsibility for dependants who are unable to relocate to regional SA with the applicant;
In SA, three of the four training networks are located in the metropolitan region. As a result, special consideration requests based on transport issues will not be considered.
Updating my details
I need to change my email address but I don’t seem to be able to do it on-line.
It is important that your email address is entered correctly as this is used for all communications with you. If you have entered it incorrectly you will need to contact the SA MET office and provide the new details.
I want to update my CV or other details. How can I do this?
You may change any details in your application with the exception of your email address up until you submit your application. You may change your email address by contacting the SA MET office.
Once you have submitted your application and after the application closing date you can only:
- Change your contact details
- Withdraw your application
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