LISMORE MP Janelle Saffin has welcomed the Minns Labor Government’s introduction of study subsidies to boost the NSW health workforce over the coming years.
“This initiative is fundamental to building a strong public health system, particularly in regional and rural areas of our state,” Ms Saffin says.
From today (Monday, 15 January 2024), students enrolled in healthcare degrees in New South Wales can apply for up to $12,000 in subsidies to support them in their studies.
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.
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.
There are a limited number of subsidies available, and applications will remain open until all subsidies are awarded.
Students must be willing to make a five-year commitment to working in the NSW public health system.
The NSW Government is investing $121.9 million over five years in the Tertiary Health Study Subsidy Program.
The full list of eligible workforce groups and locations are available on the NSW Health study subsidy web page: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/careers/Pages/health-study-subsidies.aspx
