Eligibility for GradStart

Am I eligible to apply in 2026 for the GradStart program to commence employment with NSW Health in 2027?

You must be able to answer “yes” to these questions:

Are you completing your nursing or midwifery degree between 1 June 2026 and 31 May 2027?
Completion means final result received that leads to initial registration as a registered nurse or midwife.
Will you meet all the requirements to be registered as a nurse or midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia prior to the agreed date of your employment commencing?
Are you an Australian Citizen or hold a visa that allows ongoing full-time employment in Australia?

Important points

If you have completed your nursing or midwifery degree prior to 1 June 2026 you are not eligible to apply.
If you are completing your degree after 31 May 2027 you are not eligible for 2027 GradStart and should apply for 2028 GradStart.
If you are unsure if you will finish before 31 May 2027, apply for the current GradStart program. You can withdraw your application if your studies are delayed. You will not be eligible to apply next year if you have finished early (before 1 June 2027).
Priority is given to Australian Citizens, Australian Permanent Residents and New Zealand Citizens.
Students completing postgraduate studies in midwifery are not eligible to apply to GradStart.

Meeting English language requirements

The English language skills registration standard (2019) applies to all nurses and midwives applying for initial registration, regardless of whether you qualified in Australia or overseas.

Make sure you know what documents Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) need you to give them before you apply for initial registration as a nurse and/or midwife by visiting Ahpra - Supporting Documentation for Graduate Applications.

Check that you meet English language requirements for registration by visiting NMBA - English language skills.

Don't delay

If you are required to undertake an English language test to gain registration, you should complete this as soon as possible. Delays in employment will occur if your registration cannot be processed.