1. 1 School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney

2. 2 Susan Fletcher Deborah Schofield, Jeffrey Fuller, Hudson Birden, Sue Page NRUDRH, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, Lismore 02 6620 7570; susie.fletcher@ncahs.health.nsw.gov.au Where do students want to work? The Careers in Rural Health Tracking Study 2nd AAAH Conference Health Workforce for Rural Health and Primary Care Beijing, China 12-14 October 2007

3. 3 Careers in Rural Health Tracking Study Medical, nursing and allied health Longitudinal First year - 121 students Aged 18-56, average 26 64% female

4. 4 Town size preferences

5. 5 Rural vs urban Australia 17% 29% 8% 9% 7% 17% 9% Brisbane 62% Sydney 42% Melbourne 58% Hobart 32% Adelaide 36% Perth 49% Darwin 30% Canberra 30%

6. 6 Different types of rural 11% 15% 45% 58% 60% 36% 42% 30% 26% 9% 11% 19%

7. 7 Encouraging rural practice Encourage Career opportunities Type of work Living close to friends Challenge Availability and cost of accommodation Discourage Lack of public transport Access to children Lack of career opportunities Distance to friends Distance to family

8. 8 END