The Allan Labor Government is continuing to back our next generation of nurses and midwives.

Applications for the third round of the Undergraduate (entry to practice) scholarship program are now open, delivering free education for new domestic students enrolling in a professional-entry level nursing or midwifery course in 2023 and 2024.

The scholarship is part of the Labor Government’s $270 million Making It Free to Study Nursing and Midwifery initiative, which is boosting the state’s healthcare workforce by providing scholarships worth up to $16,500 to more than 10,000 nursing and midwifery students.

The initiative also includes:

• Scholarships for postgraduate nurses to complete studies in specialty areas such as intensive care, emergency, paediatrics and cancer care – worth an average of $10,000
• $11,000 scholarships for enrolled nurses to become registered nurses, covering course costs and boosting the number of registered nurses
• $12,000 scholarships to support training and employment of 100 new Nurse Practitioners in both acute and community settings
• More than $20 million to provide more support to the growing numbers of graduates and postgraduates as they transition to working in our hospitals – ensuring they have access to the clinical educators, preceptors and study time they need.

As part of the Labor Government’s work to strengthen Victoria’s nursing and midwifery workforce, a sign-on bonus of $5,000 is also available to nursing and midwifery graduates who graduate in 2022, 2023 or 2024 and start their career in a Victorian public health service.

So far, more than 5600 graduate nurses and midwives have received the first half of their bonus, and more than 3600 new graduate nurses and midwives have chosen to start their careers this year in our public health system.

The program recognises that the cost of study is a financial burden for prospective and existing nurses and helps our health services maximise the recruitment of new nurses and midwives in key areas of need. 

Since coming to Government, we've recruited more than 32,000 healthcare workers - growing our hospital workforce by 40 per cent.

The Labor Government also delivered a massive 28 per cent pay increase for our hardworking nurses and midwives.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas

“We’re investing in our hardworking nurses and midwives, because we know how important they are in making sure every Victorian gets the best care.”

“These scholarships are providing financial support to our aspiring nurses and midwives so they can jump straight into the important work they do and not worry about the cost of a degree.” 

Quote attributable to Member for Melton Steve McGhie

“We know how important nurses and midwives are in the community, that’s why we’re investing in our workforce in Melton and surrounds.”

“It’s great to see more than 3600 new graduate nurses and midwives working in our hospitals both locally in Melton and across Victoria.”