The ACT Government is inviting health professionals to apply for the 2025 Maternity in Focus Workforce Scholarship Scheme, with $50,000 in funding available to support professional development across Canberra's maternity care sector.
These scholarships provide an exciting opportunity for midwives, doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, and other eligible health professionals working in maternity care in the ACT to enhance their skills through further study or professional development.
Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said the scholarship scheme is part of the ACT Government's Maternity in Focus program, a system-wide approach to making maternity care more person-centred while supporting the development of frontline healthcare workers.
"The ACT Government is investing in our maternity workforce to deliver better health outcomes for families accessing public maternity care," Minister Stephen-Smith said.
"We know that investing in the skills and wellbeing of our maternity workforce is key to retaining experienced professionals, attracting new talent and building a sustainable, woman and person-centred maternity workforce that meets future demand.
"The Maternity in Focus Workforce Scholarship Scheme is one of many initiatives we are delivering to support our dedicated health workforce who provide exceptional care every day."
Applicants must:
- Be a midwife, nurse, doctor or other eligible health professionals involved in maternity care in the ACT.
- Be employed by Canberra Health Services, an ACT Government Directorate, Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services, an Aboriginal community controlled organisation or Tresillian Queen Elizabeth II Family Centre.
- General practitioners providing shared maternity care in the ACT are also eligible to apply.
Individual scholarships of up to $6,750 per person are available to support professional development in priority areas identified in the Maternity in Focus: First Action Plan 2022-2025.
These areas are central to maternity system reform and include breastfeeding education, perinatal loss and bereavement care, perinatal mental health, culturally appropriate and trauma-informed care, and postgraduate courses to become an endorsed midwife. Other relevant postgraduate study, short courses, workshops and conferences may be supported if they align with the Action Plan or address a specific workforce need.
