Monash University is strengthening the rural health workforce across the Gippsland and Sunraysia-Mallee regions, with a purpose-built course to train allied health professionals who will stay on in the region.
The Bachelor of Allied Health will launch in Bairnsdale, Wonthaggi and Mildura in 2027 with discipline pathways for local students to become occupational therapists, physiotherapists and podiatrists.
The latest data from the Rural Workforce Agency Victoria highlights a sustained high need for more occupational therapists, podiatrists and physiotherapists across the Gippsland and Sunraysia-Mallee regions.
Professor Terry Haines AM, Head of Monash School of Primary and Allied Health Care, said the graduates would fill much needed positions in hospitals, rehabilitation centres, private practice, community health centres, schools, social services, aged care, government agencies and disability services.
"The national shortage of allied health professionals is felt most acutely in rural and regional communities," Professor Haines said.
"By bringing this degree to regional sites, we will create opportunities for local people who will stay in these communities after graduation.
"We are also hoping to attract new people to the region, who will come to study, embed themselves in the community, and stay on long term."
Students in the Bachelor of Allied Health will study on site at School of Rural Health sites in Mildura, Wonthaggi and Bairnsdale, in addition to clinical placements at health services across the community.
The degree has been co‑designed with local industry partners, Mildura Base Public Hospital (MBPH) to ensure graduates are prepared to work confidently across a wide range of healthcare settings.
MBPH Interim Chief Executive Matthew Jukes welcomed the partnership.
"Our Allied Health team is an integral part of our care delivery, we are excited to partner with Monash to help ensure graduates are well prepared to work and build their careers locally," he said.
"Growing a sustainable allied health workforce will also support our ability to build services and provide more care closer to home for our communities across Mallee."
Bayside Health Allied Health Clinical Educator Michelle Barnes said the health service welcomed the opportunity to support more Monash University students to undertake clinical placements in regional communities."This workforce will be drawn on connections to Gippsland, and offer opportunities for place-based learning in an innovative manner," Barnes said.
"Research shows that opportunity to grow and develop a rural workforce is evidence based to enable an allied health professional pipeline throughout Gippsland.
"We look forward to working with the future graduates of these programs."
Professor Shane Bullock, Head of the Monash School of Rural Health, said the course is a signal of the University's continuing commitment to improving the health outcomes of rural and regional communities.
"The goal here is more than just education, we are working to drive long-term changes in health across the whole community," Professor Bullock said.
"With more than 20 years as a part of the Mildura community and more than 30 years as part of the Gippsland community, we understand the unique needs of the local health system and we have a demonstrated track record of working hard alongside hospitals and other health service partners to meet those needs.
"In coming years, as these students graduate and enter the workforce, we expect that it is going to be a game-changer for the entire region."
