Tertiary Health Study Subsidies

The Tertiary Health Study Subsidy Program (THSSP) provides financial support to students studying an eligible health qualification. These payments can help with fees, technology, travel, or other study-related costs. Recipients must commit to being part of the NSW Health workforce, the largest health system in Australia, offering a variety of roles and locations across NSW.

NSW Health offers two types of subsidies:

• Students commencing study can receive up to $12,000 paid over three years ($4,000/year), if they are studying an eligible health qualification and intend to work for NSW Health for at least 5 years after they finish their course.
• Students graduating study can receive a one-off $8,000 payment if they have completed an eligible health qualification, have an offer of employment with NSW Health in a role that requires that qualification, and are committed to working for NSW Health for at least 5 years.

On this page

1. 2026 eligibility
2. 2026 eligible qualifications
3. How to apply
4. Payment of subsidies
5. For more information

2026 eligibility

In 2026, the THSSP is open to applicants who:

• are Australian citizens, or Australian permanent residents, or New Zealand citizens, and
• are studying or studied an eligible tertiary health qualification at a recognised educational provider, and
• are committed to working for NSW Health for at least 5 years in a profession resulting from their study, and
• have not previously received a Tertiary Health Study Subsidy.

Commencing study

Applicants must commence study towards a qualification for an eligible health profession at a tertiary educational provider in 2026. Only first-year students are eligible for this program.

Graduating study

Applicants must have successfully completed their qualification in 2025 and commenced work with NSW Health from October 2025 in an eligible health profession that requires that qualification.

2026 eligible health qualifications

Aboriginal Health Practitioner
Dentist
Dietitian
Enrolled Nurse
Exercise Physiologist
Genetic Counsellor
Medical Officer
Medical Physicist
Midwife
Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Occupational Therapist
Oral Health Therapist
Orthotist
Orthoptist
Paramedic
Pharmacist
Physiotherapist
Podiatrist
Prosthetist
Psychologist (Master's level study program leading to registration)
Radiographer
Radiation Therapist
Registered Nurse
Scientist (Pathology)
Social Worker
Sonographer
Speech Pathologist
Technical Officer (Pathology)

If you have received another scholarship or subsidy

Applicants who are receiving other NSW Health scholarships or grants may be ineligible for these subsidies. Applicants are responsible for checking the conditions of any other scholarships or grants that they have applied for or are receiving, to ensure there are no conflicts.

How to apply

Applications for the 2026 awarding round open on Wednesday, 28 January 2026.

Register to be notified when applications open

The application process, including applying and accepting a subsidy, is through myHETIconnect.

Applications will be screened for their eligibility for the program. Offers will only be made to eligible applicants until all available subsidies have been awarded. You will need to provide evidence of your study or employment before a payment can be made.

Payment of subsidies

For successful applicants commencing study

As part of accepting a subsidy, you understand that:

• if you do not remain employed by NSW Health for 5 years after completing your tertiary health qualification, you agree that you will reimburse the subsidy paid to you
• NSW Health reserves the right to deny payment or require the reimbursement of the subsidy in the event of disciplinary proceedings or misconduct.

Payments will be made after you provide proof that you remained enrolled after your university's census date.

Second and third-year payments will be made after you provide proof of continued enrolment and evidence that you have passed the subjects in the previous year.

Payments will be made as a deposit to the bank account nominated by the successful applicant. Payments may take up to six weeks to process from the date evidence is approved.

Applicants are able to track the status of their evidence and payments through myHETIconnect.

For successful applicants graduating study

As part of accepting a subsidy, you understand that:

• if you do not remain employed by NSW Health for 5 years from the date of commencing in the relevant position, you agree that you will reimburse the subsidy paid to you
• NSW Health reserves the right to deny payment or require the reimbursement of the subsidy in the event of disciplinary proceedings or misconduct.

A one-off payment will be made via NSW Health payroll after your StaffLink number is verified, to confirm that you are working with NSW Health in a position that requires the qualification you gained as a result of your study.

These payments are treated as taxable income. They are processed through NSW Health payroll when you commence employment, with PAYG tax withheld in line with your ordinary pay.

As a one-off payment, the 'average tax' method will be used. This averages the payment over the current financial year and applies this to your average total earnings to date. The PAYG withholding in respect of the payment is limited to a maximum of 47% of the payment. A detailed explanation of the calculation can be found on Australian Taxation Office | Working out the withholding amount.

Other financial advice

Subsidies may affect Centrelink payment entitlements. All applicants are strongly advised to follow the required Centrelink payment processes and seek independent financial advice regarding their individual circumstances.

For more information

For further enquiries or information about the Tertiary Health Study Subsidies, please email: MOH-THSSP@health.nsw.gov.au.​