Initiatives & Incentives
If you are thinking of 'Going Rural', did you know that there are a variety of initiatives that are available for eligible employees? See what is on offer for you:
Whether you are a considering an undergraduate degree or planning further education, it is well worth reviewing the scholarships page too.
General Initiatives
Remote Areas Attraction and Retention Pilot
This Pilot is already underway in the Greater Western Area Health Service in the remote communities of Bourke, Brewarrina, Walgett and Wilcannia. There are two main components that may be available to eligible applicants:
- An attraction package that includes provision for up to $5,000 cash bonuses per annum, housing assistance, a computer and more...
- A retention package that offers professional development, travel allowances, a computer and cash bonus for completion.
More information and eligibility criteria is available on the website of the Premier's Department.
NSW Rural Locum Clinician Program
$3.5 million is provided annually towards innovative projects that support the provision of locum services for medical, nurses and Allied Health practitioners.
Doctors
HECS Reimbursement Scheme
Participants in the Scheme, who undertake training or provide medical services in designated rural and remote areas of Australia, will have one fifth of their HECS medical fees reimbursed for each year of service. The Scheme applies to Australian medical graduates who choose to undertake postgraduate training, or provide medical services in designated rural and remote areas.
Eligibility criteria, guidelines and application forms are available on the website of the Department of Health and Ageing.
Specialist Obstetrician Locum Scheme
This scheme provides affordable, quality locum relief to rural obstetricians and is available to individual specialist obstetricians, obstetric practices or hospitals in the public/and or private sector. It aims to ease time constraints obstetricians face, and encourages them either to maintain or to begin a career in rural areas.
For more information on the program and application details refer to the website of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
Area of Need
The Area of Need Program (AON) is administered by the NSW Department of Health. The Program supports the recruitment of suitably qualified International Medical Graduates into declared Area of Need positions. AON positions include specialist, hospital non-specialist and General Practitioners. Specialist and hospital non-specialist positions are found across a range of medical specialties. More information is available from the following websites:
- AON Program - eligibility and current vacancies
- NSW Medical Board - AON registration requirements
Rural Locum Relief Program
The Rural Doctors Network administers the Rural Locum Relief Program (RLRP). The Program allows those doctors with appropriate clinical experience, but who do not have access to a provider number, to work as a General Practitioner locum in rural areas. More information and contact details for the program are available from the website of the Rural Doctors Network.
Five-Year Rural Incentives Scheme
This scheme is available to International Medical Graduates (IMG) with suitable skills and experience to work as a General Practitioner. IMGs selected into the Program must undertake and be eligible to obtain Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and undertake to work for a minimum of five consecutive years in an eligible rural location.
After completing the Program IMGs are eligible to apply for permanent residency and have access to an unrestricted Medicare provider number (i.e. a reduction in the 10 year moratorium on Medicare provider numbers for IMGs).
More information and a list of approved locations is available from website of the Rural Doctors Network.
Nurses and Midwives
Nursing Re-Connect
Nursing Re-Connect is not a course, but rather a clinically focused, supported employment re-entry plan that pays you while you refresh your skills. It is available to registered nurses, registered midwifes or enrolled nurses interested in re-entering the workforce in the NSW public health system.
For more information on salary provisions, eligibility criteria, availability and contact details refer to the website of the Nursing and Midwifery Office.
Clinical Locum Program
Funded by NSW Health through the Greater Western Area Health Service (GWAHS) this is a partnership between GWAHS and South Sydney Western Area Health Service (SSWAHS) that aims to improve the clinical skills of Registered Nurses (RN) working in country NSW. GWAHS RNs from rural and remote locations rotate through a base hospital for further professional development. SSWAHS RNs backfill the vacant positions in the rural and remote Health Services and have the opportunity to experience living and working in a new and challenging environment.
Where appropriate funding will be provided for salary, travel and accommodation costs. More information is available on the website of the Greater Western Area Health Service.
Oral Health
New Graduate Rural Incentive Package - Dental Officers
Eligible dental officers and oral health therapists may be offered a package consisting of $10,000 of financial support as well as professional support.
Professional support includes an orientation program and ongoing professional development and mentoring during the first year of practice. The Graduate Rural Incentive Scheme only covers the first year of employment in the public sector and does not extend beyond that time.
Guidleines are available here. For more information on eligibility criteria and specific conditions contact staff at the relevant Area Health Service.
Dental Officer Rural Incentive Scheme
Payment
An incentive may be offered to country dental officers in areas of work force shortage. The incentive is an amount up to an additional $20,000 per annum over and above the salary of the position advertised. Package details are negotiated between the dental officer and the GM/CEO of the Area Health Service.
The incentive package may be taken by the dental officer as an allowance on top of cash salary payment, or as another benefit such as:
- A vehicle for private and public usage
- The payment of school fees or rental accommodation
- A travel savings account
- Mortgage payments
- Any other benefit acceptable to the General Manager/Chief Executive Officer, the prospective employee and the Department
As part of the package, Area Health Services are encouraged to facilitate funding accommodation for the prospective employee and family and/or employment for partners if required.
Private Practice
As a component of the incentive package and dependent on eligibility, the recipient may be able to exercise limited rights of private practice.
During the recruitment and application process more information will be available from human resources staff at the relevant Area Health Service.
Allied Health
Rights of Private Practice
As an Allied Health professional working in the public sector may be eligible to access rights of private practice. The right of private practice scheme provides a framework within which allied health professionals can be approved to operate a private allied health practice in public health facilities as an adjunct to public health services. This is targeted specifically at country areas.
For more information speak to Area Health Service staff when you apply for a position.
Other Rural Initiatives - General Practitioners
General Practice Procedural Training Program
This NSW Health initiative specifically targets GPs and GP Registrars. It provides for the salary costs for up to 12 months full-time to undertake training in rural locations in five specialities; Anaesthetics, Emergency Medicine, Obstetrics, Surgery and Mental Health. A list of Regional Training Providers is available from the website of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.
NSW Rural Doctors Network Programs
The RDN administers a number of programs providing incentives for general practitioners in country areas. These include the Rural and Remote General Practice Program that provides relocation, training and associate grants to eligible country GPs and the Rural Retention Program which provides retention incentives. For more information on these programs and more see the website of the NSW Rural Doctors Network.
Registrars Rural Incentive Payments Scheme
The Registrars Rural Incentive Payments Scheme provides financial incentives to eligible general practice registrars. These are registrars who undertake the majority of their general practice training in Rural, Remote and Metropolitan Areas (RRMA) 4-7 locations. GP Registrars can receive payments of up to $60,000 over three years of general practice training.
RRMA classifications, guidelines and contact details are available from the website of the Department of Health and Ageing.
Medicare Australia
Medicare Australia is an Australian government agency that plays an integral role in the Australian health sector. The organisation is responsible for administering payments and information for a number of programs including the Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS).
For more information on rural specific initiatives please refer to the Medicare website's Training for Rural and Remote Procedural GPs Program and the Practice Incentives Program.