The Allan Labor Government is continuing to strengthen and grow Victoria's mental health and alcohol and other drugs (AOD) workforce - with 300 scholarships and grants now open to grow and develop their careers.
Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt today announced the latest round of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Workforce Scholarship Program - available to registered nurses wanting to specialise in mental health, as well as mental health nurses, allied health professionals, AOD practitioners and lived and living experience workers.
Recipients will receive up to $13,000 in financial support for postgraduate studies in allied health, AOD, and lived and living experience courses.
Nurses are eligible for full-fee coverage of their postgraduate mental health nursing studies, or up to $3,000 towards postgraduate education.
The program supports workforce retention and career progression, helping more Victorians gain the skills they need to deliver safe, high-quality, evidence-based care across the state's mental health and AOD services.
Since 2021, more than 1,700 workers have benefitted from the program, which is a key initiative under Victoria's Mental Health and Wellbeing Workforce Strategy 2021-2024 and delivers on the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System.
Since the Royal Commission, the Allan Labor Government has invested more than $600 million in workforce initiatives - helping Victoria's public mental health workforce grow by 25 per cent in just three years.
Complementing the Mental Health and Wellbeing Workforce Scholarship Program, the Graduate and Early Career Program is also building a strong pipeline of new workers - giving recent graduates hands-on experience across Victoria's Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals.
Together, these initiatives are ensuring Victoria has the skilled and supported workforce needed to deliver reform across every level of care.
Scholarship applications for eligible allied health, AOD and nursing students as well as lived and living experience workers are now open.
For information on eligibility requirements and how to apply, visit: health.vic.gov.au/mental-health-workforce/mental-health-and-wellbeing-workforce-scholarship-program.
As stated by Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt
"We're backing our dedicated mental health and AOD workforce with the support, training and opportunities they need to keep delivering the best care for Victorians."
"These scholarships - alongside our Graduate and Early Career Program - are helping build a strong pipeline of skilled, compassionate workers right across the state, so more Victorians can get the care they need, close to home."
