From today, students enrolled in healthcare degrees in NSW 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 3 years.
Students successful in their application and beginning their degrees will receive subsidies of $4000 per year over 3 years. Existing students will receive one-off payments of $8000 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 5-year commitment to working in the NSW public health system.
The NSW Government is investing $121.9 million over 5 years in the Tertiary Health Study Subsidy Program.
See the full list of eligible workforce groups and locations on the NSW Health study subsidy webpage.
Premier of NSW Chris Minns said:
"In recent years, we've seen hardworking NSW healthcare workers leave for other states, and the competition for graduates is just as tough.
"We are fulfilling our election commitment to recruit the next generation of health workers for the people of NSW, who rely on our public hospitals.
"We are determined to ensure the nurses, paramedics, allied health workers and doctors are there for patients when they need.
"Our government is working hard so people get the care they need, when they need it.
"We are coming from a long way behind after 12 years of neglect of our healthcare system and essential workers.
"There's a long way to go rebuilding our healthcare system, but we're committed and we are making progress."
Minister for Health Ryan Park said:
"Up to 4000 subsidies are now on offer for this year for health degrees including nursing, midwifery, medicine, paramedicine, allied health and health science.
"By supporting students' health studies and transition into the NSW Health workforce, this program is one of the many initiatives this government is rolling out to support staff and increase the workforce across the public health system.
"We are committed to building a more engaged, capable and supported workforce."
Member for Leppington Nathan Hagart said:
"The study subsidies will help lower the barrier for many here in southwestern Sydney to pursue their dream career in healthcare.
"The southwestern Sydney region is a growing area and there will always be a large demand for healthcare services, so these subsidies are an important measure to ensure our workforce of the future can meet these growing needs."
