As the academic year begins the State Government is boosting Victoria’s pipeline of future nurses and teachers with free degrees delivering significant increases in applications for courses.
The degree scholarships are part of a $270 million boost to the health system and a $229.8 million package to grow the workforce.
Member for Yan Yean Lauren Kathage said infrastructure being built in the area provided ample opportunity for students completing these courses.
“In my electorate we are building a new school in Wallan East and a new community hospital in Mernda. So incentives like these scholarships are more relevant and important than ever and will make a big difference in our ability to recruit staff for both,” Ms Kathage said.
All new domestic students enrolled in a professional-entry nursing or midwifery course in 2024 will receive a scholarship of up to $16,500 to cover course costs – $9000 while they study and the remaining $7500 if they go on to work in Victorian public health services for two years.
Scholarships are also available for thousands more experienced nurses who complete postgraduate studies in areas of need including intensive care, cancer care, paediatrics, and nurse practitioner specialities – or for enrolled nurses who want to upskill and become registered nurses.
Already the program – which ran for nursing and midwifery degrees throughout 2023 and will continue this year – has delivered more than 2500 fire payments to future nurses and midwives.
The scholarship for teaching students is in its first year in 2024, but has already seen a nine per cent increase in university offers made for teaching degrees compared to last year, with more than 3285 teaching students completing an expression of interest for a scholarship.
For more information about nursing scholarships, visit health.vic.gov.au/nursing-and-midwifery/free-nursing-andmidwifery-study.