The NSW government is offering $12,000 worth of subsidies to healthcare students in NSW in an effort to rebuild an overworked and understaffed system.
Starting this week, the Tertiary Health Study Subsidy Program will offer students enrolling in nursing, medicine, midwifery, Aboriginal health and several other tertiary education courses the opportunity to apply for the subsidy.
With the government investing $121.9 million over the next five years into the program, new students selected in the program will receive $4,000 per year over three years. Existing students can receive a one-off $8,000 payment after accepting a position within NSW Health.
By accepting the subsidies, the successful students in the program must make a five-year commitment to work in the state’s public health system.
The program is expected to create a pipeline of 850 nursing students, 400 medical students and 150 midwifery students each year. Students in paramedicine, Aboriginal health, dentistry, oral health therapy, psychology, pharmacy, physiotherapy and medical physics are also eligible for the subsidy.
If we want to rebuild our healthcare system, we need to invest in our healthcare workers.
— Chris Minns (@ChrisMinnsMP) January 15, 2024
Which is why students enrolled in healthcare degrees can apply up to $12,000 in subsidies to support them in their studies.
And that starts today. pic.twitter.com/meEptSbMsj
Premier of NSW Chris Minns said the subsidy program will secure a better healthcare system in the future for the state.
“In recent years, we’ve seen hard working NSW healthcare workers leave for other states, and the competition for graduates is just as tough,” the Premier said. “We are determined to ensure the nurses, paramedics, allied health workers and doctors are there for patients when they need.”
The Premier said the healthcare system in NSW has been neglected for at least the last twelve years, but his government is committed to fulfilling their election promise to create a strong and sustainable industry in the state.
“There’s a long way to go rebuilding our healthcare system, but we’re committed and we are making progress,” Minns said.
There are up to 4,000 subsidies available for students enrolling in healthcare degrees, and the NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park said the program is just one part of the government’s plan to improve healthcare workplaces in NSW.
“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,” Minister Park said.
“We are committed to building a more engaged, capable and supported workforce.”
As the representative for a rapidly growing area of NSW, Member for Leppington Nathan Hagarty said the Tertiary Health Study Subsidy Program will benefit southwestern NSW greatly.
“The study subsidies will help lower the barrier for many here in southwestern Sydney to pursue their dream career in healthcare,” Hagarty said.
“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.”
Applications for the program opened on Monday and will remain open until all subsidies have been awarded.
The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on healthcare systems around the world, as hospitals were overcrowded and staff were under-resourced and overworked.
In 2021-2022, NSW Health lost around 12.6 per cent of its nursing staff in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Several strikes led by the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association were held in the last two years, calling on government action to improve working conditions for healthcare workers.