The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital (Eye and Ear) offers supervised observational placements in ophthalmology and ear, nose and throat services for suitably qualified doctors.
The program is intended for medical specialists, trainees nearing completion of specialist training, and other qualified doctors with a legitimate educational or professional purpose aligned with Eye and Ear services. Applicants must hold an MBBS or equivalent medical qualification.
Medical Clinical Observer placements are separate from:
the Medical Student Elective Program
GP Clinical Observerships
fellowships or honorary medical appointments that involve participation in patient care.
Medical Clinical Observers are granted supervised observation rights only.
Observers must not:
assess, examine or treat patients
participate in clinical decision-making
undertake or assist with procedures
prescribe or provide clinical advice
document in a patient’s medical record
access clinical systems or patient records
be left alone with patients
attend a clinical area without an assigned supervisor or delegate.
Observation in an operating theatre may be permitted, but observers cannot scrub or participate in procedures.
The treating team must ensure that patients understand the observer’s status and consent to the observer being present. A patient may decline without any adverse consequence to their care.
Any observer who participates in clinical activity, attends without appropriate supervision or breaches the conditions of their placement may have their approval immediately withdrawn and be required to leave the Hospital.
Medical Clinical Observer placements may be considered for:
medical specialists
trainees nearing completion of specialist training
qualified doctors with a defined educational or professional purpose relevant to Eye and Ear services.
A specific English-language test is not required. However, applicants must have sufficient English proficiency to participate safely in orientation, emergency responses and professional activities.
Medical Clinical Observer placements are by invitation only.
The applicant must be invited by a current member of the Eye and Ear Senior Medical Staff who is willing to act as the observer’s supervisor. The placement must be endorsed by the relevant Head of Clinic or Head of Unit and formally approved by the hospital.
Prospective observers should not directly approach multiple Hospital departments or clinicians seeking a placement. Requests without an Eye and Ear clinician willing to host and supervise the observer cannot be progressed.
Once the proposed supervisor and Head of Unit have supported the placement, the Medical Workforce Unit will provide or coordinate the required nomination and compliance documentation.
Medical Clinical Observer placements may be approved for between one working day and eight weeks.
Placements longer than eight weeks may be considered only in limited circumstances, generally where the observer is supported by an affiliated or sponsoring organisation. These arrangements require additional Hospital approval and remain subject to operational requirements.
The number of observers accepted by each clinic or unit is determined by the relevant Head of Unit, taking into account service capacity and available supervision.
Applicants will generally be required to provide:
a completed Clinical Observer Nomination Form
a current curriculum vitae, including current or most recent clinical employment
a certified copy of their basic medical qualification
a covering letter outlining:
the purpose of the observership
the clinical area or areas requested
proposed dates
activities to be observed
a proposed timetable, where relevant
the required criminal history documentation
evidence of compliance with current healthcare-worker immunisation requirements
a signed confidentiality and privacy undertaking
a signed acknowledgement of the observer conditions
passport or other photographic identification for overseas applicants.
The hospital may request further information depending on the proposed activities and duration of the placement.
An observer cannot commence until:
the placement has been formally approved
all required documentation has been accepted
the applicable fee has been paid
the Hospital has issued the formal Letter of Agreement.
The following fees apply to Medical Clinical Observer placements:
Placement duration
Fee
Up to 5 working days
AUD $200
6–14 calendar days
AUD $600
15–28 calendar days
AUD $1,200
29–56 calendar days
AUD $1,800
The fee contributes to administration and onboarding, including document review, placement coordination and identification badge issuance.
Payment is required after the placement has been approved and before the Hospital issues the Letter of Agreement.
Fee waivers or reductions may be considered in exceptional circumstances, such as a formal partnership or strategic institutional collaboration. Any waiver or reduction requires specific Hospital approval.
cancellation more than 20 business days before commencement: full refund, less any non-refundable third-party charges
cancellation 10–20 business days before commencement: 50 per cent refund
cancellation fewer than 10 business days before commencement, or failure to attend: no refund
cancellation by the Eye and Ear for operational reasons: full refund.
Observers must:
remain under direct supervision in clinical areas
wear their Hospital-issued observer identification and lanyard at all times
comply with the Eye and Ear Code of Conduct
comply with infection prevention and control requirements
follow emergency procedures and local instructions
protect patient privacy and confidentiality
refrain from photography, video or audio recording unless separately authorised.
Medical Clinical Observers are visitors, not employees. They are not issued staff access cards and are not provided with access to clinical information systems.
Observers are not covered by Eye and Ear professional indemnity arrangements for clinical activity. They are responsible for arranging their own travel, health and personal liability insurance where relevant.
An Eminent Medical Visitor is a visiting professor or other eminent clinician invited to undertake a short observational visit or agreed non-clinical activities, such as teaching or meetings.
Visits may be approved for between one and seven working days. Requests should preferably be submitted at least one month before the proposed visit.
The hosting department must nominate a current member of the Eye and Ear Senior Medical Staff as the visitor’s host. The visitor must provide:
a curriculum vitae
proposed dates
the clinical areas to be visited
details of the proposed activities
a proposed timetable, where relevant.
Identification, confidentiality, vaccination or other compliance requirements may apply depending on the nature and duration of the visit.
Eminent Medical Visitors are not charged an observer fee.
International observers and visitors are responsible for obtaining an appropriate visa for the full duration of their visit.
The Eye and Ear:
does not sponsor visa applications for Medical Clinical Observers
cannot provide individual immigration or visa advice
does not arrange accommodation
does not cover travel, food, transport, parking, medical insurance or other living expenses.
Please note that contacting the Hospital does not constitute an application or guarantee a placement. A Medical Clinical Observer placement requires an invitation from an Eye and Ear Senior Medical Staff member and approval through the formal nomination process.
