Students enrolled in healthcare degrees in NSW can now apply for up to $12,000 in subsidies to support them in their studies.
It’s envisaged the initiative will create a future pipeline of health workers with up to 850 nursing students, 400 medical students and 150 midwifery students expected to enter the subsidy program each year.
“In recent years, we’ve seen hardworking NSW healthcare workers leave for other states, and the competition for graduates is just as tough,” said NSW Premier, Chris Minns.
“We are fulfilling our election commitment to recruit the next generation of health workers for the people of NSW, who rely on our public hospitals.
“We are determined to ensure the nurses, paramedics, allied health workers and doctors are there for patients when they need.”
Subsidies are also available for students of paramedicine, Aboriginal health, dentistry and oral health therapy, psychology, pharmacy, physiotherapy and medical physics.
It is estimated the subsidies will support around one third of health worker graduates over the next three years.
Students successful in their application and beginning their degrees will receive subsidies of $4,000 per year over three years. Existing students will receive one-off payments of $8,000 after acceptance of employment for a position within NSW Health.
“Up to 4000 subsidies are now on offer for this year for health degrees including nursing, midwifery, medicine, paramedicine, allied health and health science,” said Minister for Health, Ryan Park.
“By supporting students’ health studies and transition into the NSW Health workforce, this program is one of the many initiatives this government is rolling out to support staff and increase the workforce across the public health system.
“We are committed to building a more engaged, capable and supported workforce.”
There are a limited number of subsidies available, and applications will remain open until all subsidies are awarded, the Minister said.
Students must be willing to make a 5-year commitment to working in the NSW public health system.
The NSW Government has committed to investing $121.9 million over five years in the Tertiary Health Study Subsidy Program.
See the full list of eligible workforce groups and locations on the NSW Health study subsidy webpage.
