NT General Practice Education
Home / Undergraduate / TE RUSC / Preparation
 
HOME | FEEDBACK 
Top End RUSC Preparing for your placement:
Appropriate Clothing
Personals and Incidentals
Food
Alcohol
Passenger Luggage Restrictions
Reimbursements

Appropriate Clothing:
The weather in the Top End is usually warm/hot and sunny so bring cool, casual clothes. Perhaps bring a light jacket if the nights are cool (av min. 15°C May-Sept). Smart but casual would be good for work clothes, with closed in shoes (for sharps protection). No ties needed!
Please note that if you get the chance to visit Aboriginal communities it is recommended to wear MODEST clothing, which will cover thighs, tops of arms and midriff. Remember that you are a guest on Aboriginal land and it is important to dress appropriately in a way which will not offend. In Aboriginal culture (and in many NT Aboriginal communities), the exposure of thighs and upper arms may be considered erotic or offensive.

PLEASE DO WEAR:
This section includes both genders so just take note of those items which pertain to your gender.
• For example it should be okay to wear LOOSE-FITTING and LONG styles (just above or below the knee) of the following : shorts, skirts, pants, trousers or dresses.
• Wear LOOSE shirts with sleeves (to the elbow will be OK).
• Bring a hat.
• If you are invited swimming you may swim with your clothes on, or T-shirt and shorts covering your swimming costume.
• You may be invited to sit on the ground, so wear clothes that will not cause embarrassment or discomfort in such a situation.

PLEASE DO NOT WEAR:
• Tight figure-hugging clothing eg. DO NOT WEAR tight jeans, hipsters, skirts
• Clothing that exposes too much - ie. NO boob tubes, bikinis, speedos, tight rugby shorts, immodest singlets (ie. With low cleavage and large armholes), halter necks, high side-splits, low cleavage-exposing tops, miniskirts.

Personals and Incidentals:
It is recommended to take a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, goggles for swimming and any medication that you require.
If you take a camera, always remember to obtain permission before taking photographs of places or people in indigenous communities.

Food:
Most placement locations have a store where you can purchase groceries. Understandably, some of the smaller community stores may not have the range and quality of produce as that found in larger supermarkets.
Therefore, it is recommended to take some food items with you. Arrangements can also be made to open an account with Woolworth's (Nightcliff) to make Bush Orders. There are set times and days that orders have to be submitted for the next despatch. You will also have to arrange, separately, account details with an appropriate freight company. Apply to open accounts about 3 weeks in advance of your placement dates.

Alcohol:
Please check before taking alcohol with you, as some communities are ‘dry’ and do not allow alcohol consumption, while other communities may have a ‘club’ where alcohol is sold but must be consumed on the premises only. Other communities may have a token system allowing a certain quota of alcohol per person to be brought into the community in a specified time. Luggage may be checked to see if it contains alcohol.

It is recommended to refrain from taking alcohol with you.

Passenger Luggage Restrictions:
Please note that the airlines to many placement locations employ small aircraft and there are different luggage restrictions for each airline. You are responsible for any excess freight charges which you may incur. Excess luggage may be placed on standby for the next possible flight.
Some of the smaller airlines only allow 13 to 15 kg's per passenger.
There may be excess freight charges on flights to the following locations : Borroloola, Galiwinku, Gapuwiyak, Groote Eylandt, Lajamanu, Maningrida, Nguiu. Excess charge rates may vary from $1 to $3.50 per kilo.

Travel in the Top End is mainly by light aircraft

Reimbursements:
You may be eligible (excluding JFSS scholars) to receive reimbursement from your :

1. Accommodation Bond (if relevant) and/or
2. Taxi / Shuttle / Bus fares (for between the airport, bus transit centre, your NT accommodation and / or the NTGPE office).
Please keep all tax invoices from taxi / bus travel in order to claim reimbursement

• NTGPE does not reimburse (fully or partially) expenses for:

hire car
parking meters
fuel purchases
or use of own car

• NTGPE does not reimburse for cost of excess luggage.
  Excess luggage is fully the responsibility of the student.
• Reimbursements will not occur without presentation of the appropriate paperwork ie. your bank details and tax invoices
• NTGPE will process financial transactions (reimbursements) via electronic transfer into your bank account. This account CANNOT be a credit account. Please quote the account number from your statement (NOT from your plastic card).

Back to TE RUSC contents >>>

About Us | GP Training | Students | Research | Board | News | Information Technology | Resources | Publications