Congratulations, you’ve made it to internship! Somewhere between celebrating and panicking, you’ve probably started your internship essentials shopping list. And it keeps growing. Here’s the good news: you need far less than you think. A few quality items will carry you through the year, and the rest can wait until your first pay lands.
We’ve rounded up what’s worth buying, what you can happily skip, and the sneaky costs nobody warns you about.
Worth buying
These are the hardworking heroes of intern year. They’ll earn their keep on every single shift.
- Comfy, supportive shoes. Ward rounds will clock up more kilometres than you’d believe. Your feet deserve one really good pair you can wear for 12 hours. Wear them in before day one, though, because blisters and a new job are not a fun combo.
- A reliable mid range stethoscope. Good news for your wallet: interns don’t need a fancy cardiology model. A solid general purpose one does the job, and the one from med school might still be perfect.
- A pen torch. You’ll use it for pupils, throats and hunting for things in dim rooms at 3am. Small but mighty.
- A stack of good pens. Pens disappear on the wards like socks in a washing machine. Buy a box and make peace with it.
- A water bottle and lunch box. Long shifts leave little time to grab food, and the hospital cafe always seems to close right before your break. Packing your own saves time and money.
- Comfy, easy care work clothes. A few outfits you can rotate through the week will do the trick. Machine washable beats dry clean only, every time.
- A pocket notebook. It’s the perfect home for your jobs list, phone extensions and handover notes. Future you will thank present you.
Skip for now
Step away from the checkout. These purchases can wait until you know what you actually need.
- A top of the range specialty stethoscope. It’s tempting, we know. Save it as a treat for when you pick a specialty that needs one.
- Scrubs. Many hospitals supply them in theatres and emergency. Check with your health service before you fill your cart.
- Big, heavy textbooks. Your hospital gives you access to online guidelines and references. Your back (and your bookshelf) will thank you.
- A new car on finance. We get it, the new car smell is strong. But a big loan before your first pay adds pressure you just don’t need. Give yourself a few months of income first.
- Shiny new gadgets. Your phone already handles most clinical apps and references. The latest tablet can wait.
Costs that catch new interns off guard
Shoes and pens are the easy part. These are the costs that sneak up on almost every new grad, so here’s your heads up.
Ahpra registration. You’ll need provisional registration before you start, and Ahpra recommends applying four to six weeks before you finish your course. In 2026 to 2027, graduates pay a $332 application fee and a $543 registration fee. Here’s some welcome news: under a new pilot, graduates who apply between 9 October 2026 and 4 January 2027 can defer the $543 until 31 March 2027. You’ll still pay the $332 upfront.
The wait for your first pay. Your first salary might not land until a week or two after you start. Keep enough tucked away for rent, transport and plenty of coffee until then.
Medical indemnity. You’ll need professional indemnity cover as an intern. The good news? Many medical defence organisations offer free or discounted cover for new grads, so shop around before you sign up.
Moving costs. Is your internship taking you to a new city or a regional hospital? Exciting! Just remember to budget for bond, removalists and all the little things a new home needs.
Set up your finances from day one
Your first pay slip is a big moment. It’s also the perfect time to build a few good habits that may pay off for your whole career.
- Ask about salary packaging. Public hospital doctors can often package part of their salary as tax free benefits. It’s one of the best perks of the job, so ask your hospital about it in your first week.
- Keep your receipts. Some work costs, like registration and work-related expenses, may be tax deductible. A single folder (or a phone album) from day one makes tax time so much easier.
- Get to know your HELP debt. Compulsory repayments kick in once your income passes the threshold, and your new salary will likely pass it. Better to know now than be surprised later.
- Check your super. Make sure your employer pays into the fund you want, so you don’t end up with a handful of tiny accounts.
We’ve been looking after medical students and junior doctors for years. We know your income situation, your progression from student to early career, the specific deductions that apply to your work.
Book a free initial consultation with us and we’ll walk you through exactly what applies to your situation. No obligation, just clarity.
Win $100 for your intern kit or your holiday
Fancy $100 towards those comfy shoes, or your post exam holiday? We’re giving away five $100 digital Visa gift cards you can spend anywhere, including overseas.
To enter, Just click the banner below or fill out this quick form with an email address that isn’t your uni one and submit your entry. Uni emails (ending in edu.au) expire after graduation, and we’d hate for you to miss out on future prize draws and resources from us.
*Entries close on 22 November 2026. Five lucky winners will be drawn randomly on 23 November 2026. T&Cs apply.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is general in nature and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on this information, you should carefully consider whether it is appropriate for your circumstances and seek professional advice.
