NSW Health Aboriginal postgraduate scholarships

​​​Acknowledgement of Country

The NSW Nursing and Midwifery Office acknowledges the people of the many traditional countries and language groups of New South Wales. It acknowledges the wisdom of Elders both past and present and pays respect to Aboriginal communities of today.

If you’re an Aboriginal person currently working as a registered nurse or registered midwife employed in a NSW Health facility, a postgraduate scholarship of up to $10,000 is available to support your postgraduate study and help with educational expenses.

Postgraduate study is a chance to expand your knowledge into impact the health of your mob.

Postgraduate scholarships provide career development opportunities that will support cultural safety within NSW Health.

Can I apply for a NSW Health Aboriginal post graduate scholarship?

To apply, you must be:

• of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent
• known and accepted in the community that you live or have lived
• a resident of NSW
• currently employed as a registered nurse or midwife in a NSW health facility
• currently studyingg or about to study a postraduate nursing or midwifery deggree at university
• willing to participate in an evaluation or telephone survey about the Aboriginal scholarships program

Preparing your application

The application process opens each year in December. As part of the application process, applicants must complete an online application form and provide:

• corroboration of Aboriginality (for a guide on what you need to confirm your Aboriginality visit Stepping Up - Aboriginality)
• official confirmation of enrolment in an Australian postgraduate nursing or midwifery course that is accredited under the NSW Higher Education Act (2001). This document must include:
  • your name
  • the name of the course
  • the year of study
  • a list of the subjects you have enrolled in
  
  ​If your enrolment confirmation is unavailable at the time of application, please provide your application to University or your letter of offer and forward your enrolment confirmation as soon as possible so that your application can be progressed.
• resume
• a letter from your employer on their official letterhead, dated and signed including:
  • your name
  • title of your position
  • employment status (full-time, part-time or casual)
  • how long you've been employed in this position
  
  If you're doing postgraduate study which will lead to registration as a midwife, you must show proof of your employment at the same time in a recognised student midwifery position in a maternity service.
• an essay of no more than 250 words describing:
• a statement of your connection to your Aboriginal community
• how your studies will make a positive contribution to your current role and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

More information

For more information, please see the frequently asked questions. If you have any further queries, please email MOH-AboriginalNursing@health.nsw.gov.au or call us on 1800 155 325.