Until 30 June 2026, NSW Health is offering an increased incentive package of up to $20,000 for health workers relocating and commencing work in new positions at rural and remote locations. You can find out more information below.
From 30 September 2024 to 30 September 2025, midwives relocating from metro NSW or interstate to rural and remote NSW will receive a $20,000 sign-on bonus. Working in rural NSW offers many personal and professional benefits. Find out more information about the midwifery sign-on bonus.
Regional and rural life in NSW has so much to offer. And these communities need health workers now more than ever.
The Rural Health Workforce Incentive Scheme (RHWIS) aims to attract, recruit, and retain health workers in eligible positions at health services across rural and remote NSW.
The incentive scheme applies to health workers in eligible positions in NSW. So, whether you’re a nurse, midwife, paramedicine, medicine, allied health, administration, or in support and shared services, you could have an incentivised job at a public hospital or health facility.
While almost anyone can apply for an advertised job, to receive an incentive package under the RHWIS, you must be a health worker employed by the NSW Health Service and engaged under the Health Services Act.
We recommend you read the RHWIS fact sheet, which provides important information about the scheme and what you need to consider when considering working in rural and regional NSW.
Anyone who is not directly employed by NSW Health (for example, a locum, agency nurse, Visiting Medical Officer, or a contingent worker not paid through NSW Health payroll) is not entitled to incentives. We encourage you to apply for an incentivised position as a NSW Health employee.
In addition to standard employment entitlements, an incentive package of up to $20,000 in value depending on the location and the position.
An incentive package may include financial and non-financial incentives such as:
If you apply for and are offered an incentivised job under the RHWIS, you will discuss the details of your package with your new employer.
Your new employer will discuss what specific incentives and benefits you can receive as part of your incentive package. The MM classification of a location determines what incentives and benefits can be offered.
Health workers who commence in an position at a MM6 or MM7 facility, can choose to negotiate a prioritised transfer at the end of 3-year continuous service.
Two transfer options are available, to positions commensurate to their grade and experience before taking up the incentivised position:
NSW Health uses the Commonwealth Modified Monash Model (MMM) to determine a location's rurality. Locations classified as MM3 to MM7 inclusive are eligible to access the scheme. Total incentive package values are scaled according to a location’s classification.
Not all rural and remote health locations and jobs will be incentivised under this scheme – the recruiting LHD will make this decision.
If a job is incentivised, this information will appear in either the job posting title, or in the position description. If in doubt, please contact the advertised hiring manager or local recruitment office.
The NSW Health agency contact listed in the position description will be happy to discuss general details about the role and the incentives scheme at any stage of the recruitment process.
If you are offered the job, you will then be able to discuss the specific incentives available to you with your hiring manager or recruitment officer.
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We strongly recommend that you discuss any incentives you might receive or are already receiving with a financial advisor. NSW Health does not provide financial and tax advice.
The incentive package made available to individual employees is valued at its gross value. Any fringe benefit tax liability is not counted as part of the value of the package and the employing health agency is responsible for payment of any fringe benefit tax incurred.
Visit Why we live and work in rural NSW for stories and insights from NSW Health staff who already live and work in regional, rural and remote NSW.
Our RHWIS fact sheet answers some frequently asked questions about the scheme.
If you have a general question about the scheme please email NSWH‑RHWIS@health.nsw.gov.au
Visit Recruitment initiatives for information about other current NSW Health recruitment schemes.
