Due to the high demand on the program, from now on priority will be given to new applicants and applicants in MMM 5 and beyond; applications by existing recipients will be assessed and approved only if sufficient funds are available.
The Health Workforce Scholarship Program (HWSP) is for health professionals looking to extend their skills and services in rural and remote communities. The HWSP offers you and your team members the opportunity to attend accredited and non-accredited:
For a scholarship you can receive up to $10,000 per year for up to two years while completing full-time studies. A 12 month return of service is required for any scholarship over the value of $5,000. One-off bursary payments are also available up to the value of $5,000 with no return of service, to cover:
Every application is different and scholarship funding is subject to the HWSP eligibility guidelines for scholarship applicants.
All scholarship or bursary agreements must be entered into and funds allocated prior to 30 June 2027. All professional development activities supported by a scholarship or bursary will need to be completed by 31 December 2027.
Read the Program Guidelines document before applying.
New Applicant
Existing Applicant
Scholarships are available for:
The HWSP has been very helpful in providing funding for training and professional development. As an Allied Health Professional, I personally had a very positive experience with HR+ from the scholarship application to reimbursement. I have been to 2 Occupational Therapy training last year 2018 with the help of the Health Workforce Scholarship Program (HWSP). The training was able to help me with my assessment, treatment planning and program implementations. Through the knowledge that I have acquired from the training, I was able to help not only the students of Giant Steps Tasmania but also the other professionals like the speech therapist and other OTs, as well as the teachers and parents of our school.
Siaren Lacangan
Occupational Therapist - Giant Steps Tasmania
The HWSP is an initiative of the Australian Government Department of Health. The program is designed to improve access to services needed in rural and remote areas across Australia by supporting an increase in skills, capacity and/or scope of practice.
There are two types of funding under this program:
The type of funding offered will depend on the type of study undertaken.
Payments made to health professionals must be directly related to training and up-skilling health professionals who will provide services to rural and remote areas and be justifiable against the perceived workforce benefit of the training.
The following professions are eligible for the program:
The Modified Monash Model (MMM) is a geographical classification system which better categorises metropolitan, regional, rural and remote areas according to both geographical remoteness and town size.
The HWSP is available to health professionals located in or providing services to areas categorised as MMM 3-7.
You can find the classification of your location via the following link: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/apps-and-tools/health-workforce-locator/health-workforce-locator
Please click on 'Search a location', click the checkbox for Modified Monash Model, and select 2019 from the ‘Select a year’ drop-down menu.
You can make more than one application, to the total value of $10,000 per financial year. However, where the scholarship program is oversubscribed only one application will be considered.
If you are working in both sectors, you may be eligible to apply for the HWSP. Health professionals solely employed by the Tasmanian Department of Health or the Tasmanian Health Service are not eligible for the HWSP.
For scholarship or bursary amounts awarded over $5,000, recipients of the HWSP scholarship will be required to commit to providing the health service in the MMM 3-7 area for up to 12 months post course completion. This helps ensure rural communities receive the benefit of the additional training and development sponsored through the HWSP.
A memorandum of understanding will be put in place prior to the receipt of any funding and will outline any return of service obligations.
If you have any questions or wish to discuss your eligibility, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We also have a comprehensive FAQ section above.