02 Health Workforce Scholarship Program
Admin
The Health Workforce Scholarship Program (HWSP) provides scholarships and bursaries to help health professionals in remote, rural and regional Australia retain and enhance their skills, capacity and scope of practise.
The Health Workforce Scholarship Program (HWSP) provides scholarships and bursaries to help health professionals in remote, rural and regional Australia retain and enhance their skills, capacity and scope of practise.
The program is an initiative of the Australian Government Department of Health, administered in NSW by NSW
Rural Doctors Network (RDN).
The HWSP is available to medical, nursing, midwifery, allied health, dental and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals providing primary health care in the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs) sector, non-government organisations and private practice.
This program is designed to address skill shortages in rural and remote communities across Australia.
Doctors independently working toward Fellowship may also access the HWSP for pre-exam preparation support.
The HWSP offers two types of funding:
- Scholarships
A payment up to $10,000 per year, for up to two years, toward the cost of completing a postgraduate course leading to a postgraduate qualification. - Bursaries
Payment up to $10,000 (maximum of $10,000 in total in one year) for professional development and upskilling course fees and associated accommodation and travel-related expenses.
Please note, funding may vary based on availability at the time of application.
The allocation of program funds is based on RDN’s annual Health Workforce Needs Assessment (HWNA). The HWNA identifies specific upskilling and training areas as a priority for NSW.
For further information visit the Health Workforce Scholarship Program website.
RDN is a not-for-profit organisation. Its services are delivered in partnership and with support from the Australian Government Department of Health (DoH), the NSW Ministry of Health (MoH) and various community organisations. Recruitment support services are funded and subsequently provided free of charge. Some additional services may attract a fee where necessary.
Information correct as at January 2020.
For more information please contact our recruitment team
This service may benefit
Related Information
03 Workforce Grants
Admin
NSW Rural Doctors Network (RDN) provides financial grants to support the provision of a highly skilled health workforce in remote, rural and regional NSW and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs).
NSW Rural Doctors Network (RDN) provides financial grants to support the provision of a highly skilled health workforce in remote, rural and regional NSW and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs).
RDN offers eligible* applicants access to grants to help offset costs when moving to, and working in, rural communities.
Grants available include:
Site visits
Up to $3,000 is available to primary health care professionals for a site visit to practices in rural NSW locations where there is a mutual interest in a placement.
Relocation
Up to $5,000 is available to primary health care professionals relocating to rural NSW locations. Successful applicants must commit to a minimum of 12 months at the new location.
Practitioner health and wellbeing
In exceptional circumstances, RDN can assist in facilitating tailored support for a practitioner and their family. Please contact us to discuss.
Practice sustainability
The sustainability of rural general and allied health practice is dependent on a well trained administration and support staff. Through targeted initiatives, RDN can provide support to enhance the sustainability of the primary health care practice. To find out more about upcoming initiatives to support and enhance practices, sign up to receive the Practice Made Perfect newsletter.
Please note, funding may vary based on fund availability at the time of application.
* Eligibility criteria applies to each grant and should be reviewed prior to submitting an application. Information about eligibility is available by contacting the RDN Workforce Development team.
RDN is a not-for-profit organisation. Its services are delivered in partnership and with support from the Australian Government Department of Health (DoH), the NSW Ministry of Health (MoH) and various community organisations. Recruitment support services are funded and subsequently provided free of charge. Some additional services may attract a fee where necessary.
Information correct as at January 2020.
For more information please contact our recruitment team
This service may benefit
Related Information
05A Recruitment support for General Practitioners
Admin
NSW Rural Doctors Network (RDN) provides tailored recruitment support to doctors working, or seeking work, as General Practitioners (GPs) in remote, rural and regional locations and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs) in NSW.
NSW Rural Doctors Network (RDN) provides tailored recruitment support to doctors working, or seeking work, as General Practitioners (GPs) in remote, rural and regional locations and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs) in NSW.
Our support is free of charge and includes:
- access to the largest database of current GP vacancies in rural NSW
- an assessment of your eligibility, skills, experience and goals to connect you to the practice that best suits you
- access to workforce programs administered by RDN including the More Doctors for Rural Australia Program (MDRAP) and the Five Year Overseas Trained Doctors Scheme, which can reduce the ten-year moratorium to as little as three years
- access to grants for site visits, relocation, education and training and RDN annual conferences for eligible applicants
- guidance on the registration process for International Medical Graduates (IMGs)
- advice and guidance on relevant workforce programs and legislation
- facilitation of provider numbers for eligible doctors
- face-to-face education for doctors new to general practice, through the ‘New Rural GP Orientation Program’
- access to GP Locum vacancies and support for short-term placements
- welcome kits upon starting a new role, connecting you with information, services and networks
- ongoing post-placement support for you and your family.
RDN is a not-for-profit organisation. Its services are delivered in partnership and with support from the Australian Government Department of Health (DoH), the NSW Ministry of Health (MoH) and various community organisations. Recruitment support services are funded and subsequently provided free of charge. Some additional services may attract a fee where necessary.
Information correct as at January 2020.
For more information please contact our recruitment team
This service may benefit
Related Information
05B general practice recruitment support
Admin
NSW Rural Doctors Network (RDN) provides tailored recruitment support to remote, rural and regional practices and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs) in NSW.
NSW Rural Doctors Network (RDN) provides tailored recruitment support to remote, rural and regional practices and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs) in NSW.
Our support includes:
- a dedicated recruitment team that sources suitable doctors for your permanent and locum GP vacancies
- advertisement of your GP vacancies free of charge on RDN’s website to promote direct placements and eliminate agency fees
- advertising your vacancies and assisting with the development and placement of tailored advertisements
- supporting you to assess an applicant’s CV for suitability and eligibility for registration
- placing advertisements on national job boards at reduced rates for you, screening and shortlisting applicants
- registration guidance for International Medical Graduates (IMGs)
- access to relevant workforce programs administered by RDN including the More Doctors for Rural Australia Program (MDRAP) and the Five Year Overseas Trained Doctors Scheme, which can reduce the ten-year moratorium to as little as three years. RDN also facilitates provider numbers for eligible non-vocationally registered doctors
- access to grants for site visits, relocation, education and training and RDN annual conferences for eligible applicants
- access to the quarterly Practice Made Perfect newsletter, which provides current information and updates for practice managers/owners
- face-to-face education for doctors new to general practice, via the ‘New Rural GP Orientation Program’.
RDN is a not-for-profit organisation. Its services are delivered in partnership and with support from the Australian Government Department of Health (DoH), the NSW Ministry of Health (MoH) and various community organisations. Recruitment support services are funded and subsequently provided free of charge. Some additional services may attract a fee where necessary.
Information correct as at January 2020.
For more information please contact our recruitment team
This service may benefit
Related Information
06A Nursing, midwifery and allied health recruitment support
Admin
NSW Rural Doctors Network (RDN) provides tailored nursing, midwifery and allied health recruitment support to primary health care providers and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs) across remote, rural and regional NSW.
NSW Rural Doctors Network (RDN) provides tailored nursing, midwifery and allied health recruitment support to primary health care providers and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs) across remote, rural and regional NSW.
Our support includes:
- sourcing suitable nursing and allied health professionals for your specific needs
- promoting your nursing and allied health vacancies free of charge on RDN’s website
- assisting with the development and placement of tailored advertisements
- placing advertisements on national job boards at reduced rates for you, screening and shortlisting applicants
- supporting you to assess an applicant’s CV for suitability and registration purposes
- guidance around the registration process for overseas graduates
- access to grants for site visits, relocation, education and training and RDN annual conferences for eligible applicants
- access to the quarterly Practice Made Perfect newsletter, which provides current information and updates for practice managers
and owners.
*Health professionals employed solely or primarily by the NSW Government
are ineligible to access recruitment support.
RDN is a not-for-profit organisation. Its services are delivered in partnership and with support from the Australian Government Department of Health (DoH), the NSW Ministry of Health (MoH) and various community organisations. Recruitment support services are funded and subsequently provided free of charge. Some additional services may attract a fee where necessary.
Information correct as at January 2020.
For more information please contact our recruitment team
This service may benefit
Related Information
06B Opportunities and support for nurses, midwives and allied health professionals
Admin
NSW Rural Doctors Network (RDN) provides individual support to nurses, midwives and allied health professionals working, or seeking work, in remote, rural and regional primary health care including Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs) in NSW.
NSW Rural Doctors Network (RDN) provides individual support to nurses, midwives and allied health professionals working, or seeking work, in remote, rural and regional primary health care including Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs) in NSW.
Our support includes:
- access to RDN current nursing and allied health vacancies
- support preparing for an interview, including CV and interview advice
- support for overseas graduates, including registration guidance and settling into rural NSW
- connecting you to the employer that best suits your professional and personal needs
- access to grants for site visits, relocation, education and training.
- providing you with a welcome kit upon starting a new role, to connect you to information, services and networks
- ongoing post-placement support.
RDN is a not-for-profit organisation. Its services are delivered in partnership and with support from the Australian Government Department of Health (DoH), the NSW Ministry of Health (MoH) and various community organisations. Recruitment support services are funded and subsequently provided free of charge. Some additional services may attract a fee where necessary.
Information correct as at January 2020.
For more information please contact our recruitment team
This service may benefit
Related Information
08 New General Practitioner (GP) orientation
Admin
NSW Rural Doctors Network (RDN) supports doctors new to general practice in remote, rural and regional locations, and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs), to deliver high quality medical services.
NSW Rural Doctors Network (RDN) supports doctors new to general practice in remote, rural and regional locations, and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs), to deliver high quality medical services.
Support includes access to a two-day ‘New GP Orientation Program’ and a ‘New Rural GP Orientation’ online learning module.
The program includes*:
- Professional orientation
- an overview of general practice in rural NSW
- an introduction to the NSW Ministry of Health (MoH)
- navigating Medicare
- the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
- cultural awareness
- accessing GP support
- pathways to Fellowship and exam preparation
- professional and ethical responsibilities
- Clinical orientation
- emergency medicine
- introduction to sexual health and family planning
- introduction to mental health
- introduction to Indigenous health to identify and work with Aboriginal people in a culturally safe and appropriate way
- managing workplace illness and injury cases
- Social orientation
- achieving work/life balance.
*Program may vary
Contact RDN’s conference and events team to find out more about upcoming New GP Orientation Program dates.
RDN is a not-for-profit organisation. Its services are delivered in partnership and with support from the Australian Government Department of Health (DoH), the NSW Ministry of Health (MoH) and various community organisations. Recruitment support services are funded and subsequently provided free of charge. Some additional services may attract a fee where necessary.
Information correct as at January 2020.
For more information please contact our recruitment team
This service may benefit
Related Information
09 Community Engagement
Admin
NSW Rural Doctors Network (RDN) offers a range of toolkits and resources to assist communities and general practices with succession planning and to help address local health workforce issues.
NSW Rural Doctors Network (RDN) offers a range of toolkits and resources to assist communities and general practices with succession planning and to help address local health workforce issues.
RDN operates five General Practitioner (GP) Succession Planning Groups within the Hunter New England Central Coast, Western NSW and Murrumbidgee Primary Health Networks (PHNs).
These groups monitor the GP workforce issues facing towns in each region in conjunction with PHNs, Local Health Districts (LHDs), GP Synergy and other stakeholders.
RDN works at a community level in towns identified and prioritised through its Health Workforce Needs Assessment (HWNA) to:
- identify local workforce issues
- work collaboratively with local stakeholders to develop solutions tailored to that community
- assist with local community-based workforce planning.
RDN is a not-for-profit organisation. Its services are delivered in partnership and with support from the Australian Government Department of Health (DoH), the NSW Ministry of Health (MoH) and various community organisations. Recruitment support services are funded and subsequently provided free of charge. Some additional services may attract a fee where necessary.
Information correct as at January 2020.
For more information please contact our recruitment team
This service may benefit
Related Information
10 Practitioner health and wellbeing
Admin
NSW Rural Doctors Network (RDN) understands health and wellbeing is integral to a healthcare professionals ability to deliver high quality health care, and we provide resources to support the practise of self-care.
NSW Rural Doctors Network (RDN) understands health and wellbeing is integral to a healthcare professionals ability to deliver high quality health care, and we provide resources to support the practise of self-care.
Self-care influences a person’s state of wellbeing and can positively contribute to the way they deliver services to keep themselves and their rural communities healthy.
In exceptional circumstances, RDN can assist in facilitating tailored support for a practitioner and their family. Please contact us to discuss.
#RuralHealthTogether is an RDN initiative that aims to aggregate self-care support information for rural health professionals.
Visit ruralhealthtogether.info to find out more!
RDN is a not-for-profit organisation. Its services are delivered in partnership and with support from the Australian Government Department of Health (DoH), the NSW Ministry of Health (MoH) and various community organisations. Recruitment support services are funded and subsequently provided free of charge. Some additional services may attract a fee where necessary.
Information correct as at January 2020.
For more information please contact our recruitment team
This service may benefit
Related Information
11 Supporting our Medical Rural Bonded Students and Doctors
Admin
The Australian Government’s Bonded Programs aim to provide more Australian trained doctors in areas of workforce shortage, particularly in rural and remote Australia.
The Australian Government’s Bonded Programs aim to provide more Australian trained doctors in areas of workforce shortage, particularly in rural and remote Australia.
The Department of Health is reforming the Bonded Programs to provide greater support for bonded students and doctors.
Bonded doctors play an essential and valued role in helping remote and rural communities access health care services and the NSW Rural Doctors Network (RDN) is committed to providing tailored services to bonded students and doctors, including:
- opportunities to experience living and working in a rural area, including hands-on clinical workshops and social events
- career planning advice for students with a return of service commitment with the Department
- connecting Bonded Program participants to vacancies that will meet their contractual requirements at the end of their training
- relocation grants (for eligible specialties) and other supports to help bonded doctors enjoy their work when they commence.
RDN’s support for bonded doctors who have achieved fellowship and have a return of service obligation in rural NSW (RA2-5), includes:
- working to assess a doctor’s individual needs and identifying strategies to support transition to general practice in rural NSW
- access to the largest database of current GP and GP locum vacancies in NSW
- introducing doctors to the practice that best suits their professional and personal needs
- access to grants for site visits, relocation, Continuing Professional Development and RDN annual conferences for eligible doctors
- a welcome kit when commencing a new role, to connect doctors with information, services and networks
- access to RDN’s Health Workforce Scholarship Program for upskilling.