AOA Rural and Remote ASM Bursary Program

AOA is pleased to offer the Rural and Remote ASM Bursary Program in 2026.  

The bursary aims to engage with rural and remote members, recognising the accessibility issues faced by these members.

The bursaries available by state and territory are detailed below:

  • VIC: one bursary available for an associate (trainee) or fellow.
  • TAS: one bursary available for an associate (trainee) or fellow. 
  • WA: one bursary available for an associate (trainee) or fellow, including fly-in fly-out (FIFO) consultants who visit remote locations on regular rotations to provide orthopaedic care and services. 
  • QLD: two bursaries available with priority given to associates (trainees), younger fellows or fellows contributing to the ASM program. 
  • NSW: two bursaries available, one for an associate (trainee) and one fellow.
  • SA/NT: one bursary available for an associate (trainee) or fellow.  Excludes FIFO consultants who visit remote locations.

The 86th AOA Annual Scientific Meeting, with the theme ‘Celebrating 90 Years of Clinical Excellence and Global Engagement’, will take place at the Cairns Convention Centre from 11–15 October 2026.

What's included?

Successful applicants will have the opportunity to attend:

What's covered?

  • Full costs of the conference registration, including the social functions.
  • Return economy fights to Cairns from place of residence (excluding Cairns-based applicants).
  • Up to four nights’ accommodation at a premium hotel in Cairns close to the conference.

Eligibility criteria

  • Applicants must be an AOA trainee (associate) member or fellow in part-time or full-time employment. Members on parental leave are eligible to apply. 
  • Applicants must not have received any other AOA bursaries or prizes in the last two years.
  • Applicants must be a financial member of AOA and of the relevant state/territory branch in which they reside.
  • SA/NT applicants must work and live in a rural/remote area. FIFO surgeons are excluded from applying for this bursary. 
  • SA/NT trainee applicants must be located at their rural/remote post at the time of the AOA ASM to be eligible. For example, if you are posted in Alice Springs, you must be located in Alice Springs and travel to/from the ASM from Alice Springs.

To determine if you currently practice in an identified rural or remote area, use the Modified Monash Model M3-M7 category or Rural, Remote and Metro Area classification. The Health Workforce Locator can also be used to help determine a rural or remote classification.

Applicants are asked to provide brief supporting detail on their interest in the ASM and how their attendance will benefit their career and practice. This supporting detail will be used in the assessment process.

Members who meet all of the eligibility criteria are welcome to apply.

Application and selection

Applications open 29 May and should be submitted via the online form below by 30 June 2026.

Blue Button Example

Allocation of bursaries will be undertaken by a conference bursary panel which may include representatives of the Rural and Remote Orthopaedic Services Committee, AOA head office allocated staff representative, state branch chair, and regional managers. 

Applications will be judged on the following key factors:

  • eligibility criteria.
  • offering support to members from as many rural and remote geographical regions as possible.
  • increasing rural and remote representation at the ASM.

Applicants are advised to discuss their attendance at the conference with their relevant employers and supervisors (if applicable).

Timing

The proposed timing is set as follows:

  • Bursary applications open 29 May 2026. 
  • Bursary applications close 30 June 2026.

The successful applicant will be notified by the 31 July 2026. 

It is not possible to provide feedback on applications, and no correspondence regarding decisions on applications will be entered into.

If you have any questions, please contact Membership and Engagement Manager Susie Obeid via susie.obeid@aoa.org.au