Flinders University has officially broken ground on a transformative expansion of its Mount Gambier campus, marking a pivotal moment for higher education and rural healthcare in South Australia. The ceremony, held today on May 14, 2026, at the campus located adjacent to Mount Gambier Hospital, signals the start of construction on new facilities designed to double the number of medical students training in the region. This development underscores Flinders' long-standing commitment to addressing the critical shortage of doctors in rural areas through innovative, place-based medical education.

The expansion comes at a time when regional communities like Mount Gambier, with its population of around 27,000, continue to grapple with limited access to healthcare professionals. By embedding medical training directly within these communities, Flinders aims to cultivate a new generation of doctors who understand and are committed to rural practice. Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Stirling emphasized the significance, noting that students trained regionally are far more likely to return and serve those same areas long-term.

Mount Gambier, often called South Australia's 'big small town,' offers an ideal setting for such immersive learning. Nestled amid lush forests and crystal-clear sinkholes, the city provides a vibrant yet affordable lifestyle that appeals to students seeking hands-on experience outside metropolitan hubs. Flinders' presence here builds on decades of regional engagement, enhancing local economies through student spending, faculty hires, and partnerships with health services.

Flinders University's Regional Footprint in South Australia

Flinders University has been a pioneer in rural and remote health education for over 50 years. Its network of regional campuses spans key South Australian locations, including Mount Gambier, Renmark, Nuriootpa, Murray Bridge, and Victor Harbor. These sites deliver inter-professional training in medicine, nursing, allied health, and more, with more than 300 students undertaking work-integrated learning placements annually in the Limestone Coast region alone.

The Mount Gambier campus at 24 Vivienne Avenue serves as a hub for the Greater Green Triangle training region. Current facilities include video-conference rooms, simulation labs, lecture theatres, a student learning centre with 24/7 swipe-card access computers, and on-site parking. Student support is robust, featuring local staff, counselling services, and access to Flinders' extensive online library resources. Accommodation assistance is available for domestic health students on extended rural placements, fostering a supportive environment that mirrors real-world rural practice.

This expansion aligns with Flinders' strategic plan to impact 10 million lives by 2035, prioritizing regional health workforce development. By decentralizing education, Flinders not only trains professionals but also revitalizes regional higher education landscapes, where universities play a central role in community sustainability.

The South Australian Rural Medical Program: A Game-Changer

Central to the expansion is the South Australia Rural Medical (SARM) Program, Flinders' graduate-entry Doctor of Medicine (MD) course launched in 2025. SARM is South Australia's first fully rural, end-to-end medical degree, allowing students to complete all four years outside metropolitan Adelaide. Years one and two focus on foundational biomedical sciences, clinical skills, and professionalism at home campuses in Mount Gambier or the Riverland. Students engage in lectures, workshops, practicals, and community projects while living locally—no relocation support needed for these years.

Years three and four shift to clinical rotations across rural networks like the Greater Green Triangle, Riverland, Hills Mallee Fleurieu, or Barossa Valley. These include six-week placements in general practices, hospitals, Aboriginal health services, and community agencies, plus intern shadowing. The curriculum emphasizes rural medicine's unique challenges, such as resource limitations and diverse patient needs, preparing graduates for internships and specialties.

Initial intake was 60 students, split between sites. Evidence from Flinders' Rural Clinical School (RCS) shows strong outcomes: 34.7% of graduates work rurally post-PGY6-11, far exceeding metropolitan peers. Retention in South Australia stands at 50.9% for RCS alumni, bolstering the state's doctor pipeline. For more on SARM, visit the official program page.

Expansion Details: New Facilities and Capacity Boost

The $13 million project features a new 750-square-metre building plus refurbishments to existing spaces. Key additions include:

• Updated clinical teaching and anatomy laboratories for hands-on simulations.
• Two new flexible learning spaces for small-group tutorials and projects.
• Dedicated student study areas and contemporary staff offices.
• Meeting rooms for inter-professional collaboration.
• Expanded carparking to support increased footfall.

Capacity will double from 60 to 120 medical students annually, enabling larger SARM cohorts. Construction begins with civil works, progressing to structural phases later in 2026, with full completion targeted for 2027. This state-of-the-art centre, in partnership with Mount Gambier Hospital, will integrate teaching seamlessly with clinical practice.

Such infrastructure investments are vital for regional universities, where modern facilities attract top talent and enhance learning outcomes. Comparable expansions at other Australian regional campuses have shown 20-30% improvements in student satisfaction and retention.

Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Funding Partnership and Government Backing

The initiative reflects a collaborative effort between Flinders University and the South Australian Government. The $13 million state investment builds on prior federal support, including $19.7 million for 40 Commonwealth Supported Places in SARM. Minister for Health and Wellbeing Blair Boyer MP highlighted its role in long-term regional strengthening: “By building training, education, and career opportunities locally, we’re supporting regional jobs, attracting skilled professionals, and strengthening the local economy.”

This funding model—blending state, federal, and university resources—is increasingly common in Australian higher education to tackle maldistributed workforces. The Productivity Commission's 2026 Report on Government Services notes SA's GP supply at 110.2 FTE per 100,000 nationally, but rural disparities persist, with 35% more future GPs training in 2026 (154 total).

Stakeholder Perspectives and Ceremony Highlights

Professor Colin Stirling, Flinders Vice-Chancellor, celebrated the milestone: “This investment will significantly expand our Mount Gambier campus to accommodate 120 students in purpose-built spaces, delivering a major boost to South Australia’s regional doctors pipeline.” Attendees included Department for Health and Wellbeing's Sinéad O’Brien and College of Medicine & Public Health Dean Professor Jonathan Craig.

Local leaders praised the project for its economic ripple effects. Mount Gambier's economy, driven by forestry, manufacturing, and tourism, benefits from university-driven growth. Construction will create short-term jobs, while expanded programs promise ongoing faculty recruitment—Flinders maintains a casual register for rural sites, with roles in teaching, research, and admin.

Student voices echo enthusiasm. First-year SARM participant Nick Carrodus, who relocated from Victoria, called it “transformative,” immersing him in rural life from day one. For full ceremony details, see Flinders' news release.

Tackling Australia's Rural Doctor Shortage

South Australia mirrors national trends: rural areas have ~30% fewer GPs per capita than urban centers, with 60% of rural populations lacking specialist access. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports persistent gaps despite overall oversupply projections by 2030. Regional training pipelines like SARM are proven solutions—rural-origin students show 3-4x higher retention rates.

Flinders' RCS data: 70% of parallel program graduates choose rural practice vs. 18% metropolitan peers. In 2026, SA trains 21 Rural Generalists and 74 on rural pathways, up significantly. Expansions like Mount Gambier directly contribute, potentially adding dozens of rural GPs annually post-graduation.

Student Life and Opportunities in Mount Gambier

Mount Gambier blends urban amenities with natural beauty—sinkholes, Blue Lake, and beaches nearby. Affordable housing (~$400/week median rent) and vibrant social scenes attract millennials, with 70% interstate movers citing jobs and lifestyle. Flinders students access clubs via Flinders University Student Association (FUSA), sports, and cultural events.

The campus fosters community: simulation labs mimic hospital settings, while placements build networks. Graduates enter high-demand roles; Flinders postgrads boast 97% full-time employment. Explore career advice for rural health paths.

Photo by Leon Wu on Unsplash

Economic Impacts and Job Creation

Beyond education, the expansion stimulates Mount Gambier's economy. Construction jobs, plus 7 new academics already hired for SARM, signal growth. Ongoing needs: lecturers, clinical supervisors, admin—check Flinders' careers portal. Student influx boosts local businesses; universities contribute ~$1B annually to regional SA GDP.

• Short-term: Construction workforce (est. 50-100 jobs).
• Medium-term: Faculty/staff hires (teaching, research).
• Long-term: Alumni retention as practicing doctors.

Future Outlook and Broader Implications

Completion in 2027 will position Mount Gambier as a rural medical education beacon, inspiring similar models nationwide. Flinders eyes further growth, aligning with national priorities for distributed training. For educators eyeing regional roles, opportunities abound—faculty positions in rural health are rising.

This project exemplifies how targeted higher education investments yield multifaceted returns: skilled workforces, healthier communities, thriving economies. As Australia navigates workforce challenges, initiatives like Flinders' set a benchmark for regional university excellence.