- McGowan Government supporting WA's regional healthcare workforce with new attraction and retention initiatives funded in 2023-24 State Budget
- HECS-HELP grants of up to $12,000 over three years for newly qualified nurses and midwives at Kalgoorlie Hospital, Kalgoorlie Mental Health Unit, Esperance Hospital and the Goldfields Community Health Centre
- Additional commitments part of McGowan Government's plan to build a skilled and sustainable workforce for the future
Newly qualified nurses and midwives who go to work at priority remote and regional public hospitals in 2023-24 will be eligible for up to $12,000 over three years to pay off their HECS-HELP debt.
The new HECS-HELP fee grants are among $28.5 million in new attraction and retention measures funded in the McGowan Government's 2023-24 State Budget to bolster Western Australia's valued healthcare workforce.
The HECS-HELP fee grants will be available to newly qualified nurses and midwives who take up positions at Kalgoorlie Hospital, Kalgoorlie Mental Health Unit, Esperance Hospital and the Goldfields Community Health Centre in 2023-24.
The $4.2 million initiative will incentivise up to 350 new graduates who have recently qualified in nursing and midwifery to commence work in remote and regional WA in 2023-24.
The State Government will also invest $1 million in 2023-24 to extend the Belong domestic and international advertising and recruitment campaign, which will help to further grow the number of healthcare workers in the WA health system, including for regional WA.
The Government will also spend $24.4 million on the WA Country Health Service's Mental Health Emergency Telehealth to help people living in regional WA who need mental health assistance.
As stated by Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
"These new initiatives will help to encourage new nurses and midwives to take up the exciting challenge of working in some of the most in-demand locations across our vast State.
"WA's healthcare workforce is the backbone of our public health system, and we are investing in a range of measures to continue to bolster its numbers, particularly in regional areas like the Goldfields.
"HECS-HELP debts can be a significant burden on people at the start of their careers and we hope this initiative will also help our nurses and midwives."
As stated by Kalgoorlie MLA Ali Kent:
"We want our nurses and midwives to be attracted to working in the Goldfields, and then fall in love with the region and make it their home.
"This new initiative will boost our midwifery and nursing staff in the Goldfields and ensure WA is well positioned to build a skilled workforce for the future - particularly for our regions."
