Key healthcare workers in regional NSW will be given the opportunity to enter the workforce or upskill, thanks to the NSW Government's $5 million Rural and Regional Health Career Scholarships program.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the program is a key part of the NSW Government's commitment to attract and retain healthcare workers in rural and regional NSW.
"Our Government recognises that working in healthcare in the regions is completely different to working in the city," Mr Toole said.
"That's why this program has been specifically designed for rural and regional health workers. We want our health workforce to feel supported and provide them with the opportunity to upskill or retrain while staying connected to our communities.
"This program is also targeting new workers, with scholarships to cover the cost of travel and accommodation, childcare, technology and training fees- aimed at making it easier for students to choose to move away from the city."
Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said the program will not only attract new staff to the regions but support existing healthcare workers.
"From Bourke to Bega, I've heard loud and clear that our health workers want to be provided with the opportunities to advance their careers without having to leave their families, their workplace and their communities," Mrs Taylor said.
"These scholarships are flexible to individuals needs and are available across a range of health professions including allied health, nursing and midwifery and Aboriginal healthcare.
"This is about growing and empowering our regional health workforce and builds on the NSW Government's $883 million regional health workforce incentive scheme, announced as part of the 2022-23 NSW Budget."
The Rural and Regional Health Scholarships form part of Our Vision for Regional Communities and Action Plan 2023-2025, a NSW Government initiative outlining immediate priorities and long-term strategies to make regional NSW an even better place to call home.
Get more information about Our Vision for Regional Communities and Action Plan 2023-2025.
Key facts:
- The NSW Government is investing $4.5 billion over the next four years to deliver 10,148 full-time equivalent staff to hospitals and health services across NSW - the biggest ever boost to the health workforce in the nation's history.
- About 3,800 of those positions will go to rural and regional areas.
- The NSW Government is investing a further $883 million will over the next four years to attract and retain staff in rural and regional NSW by transforming the way health clinicians are incentivised to work in the bush and building the future workforce pipeline.
