Health Workforce Scholarship Program for rural practitioners starting soon
Health Workforce Scholarship Program (HWSP) is a new $11 million scholarship program that is set to better target financial support to health professionals working in communities most in need. This program is a consolidation of previous scholarship programs.
The program will be delivered by a consortium of Rural Workforce Agencies which led by Health Workforce Queensland.
The Rural Workforce Agencies consortium includes:
- Health Workforce Queensland
- NSW Rural Doctors Network
- Rural Workforce Agency Victoria
- HR+ Tasmania
- Rural Doctors Workforce Agency of South Australia
- Rural Health West
- Northern Territory Primary Health Network
The Rural Workforce Agencies will ensure that the Scholarship Program is been implemented to increase access to health services in rural and remote areas experiencing skill shortages to increase the skills, capacity and/or scope of practice of health professionals (including doctors, nurses and the allied health professionals) committed to rural service. A rural return of service obligation of one year will be attached to some higher value scholarships.
The agencies will be working closely with Primary Health Networks, local and state governments and other workforce planning groups to determine what skills are needed in various locations.
The Department of Health website has more information on these scholarships.
For inquiries about the scholarship program, please contact enquiries@health.gov.au or visit Health Workforce Queensland.