Access to an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Midwife can significantly improve the health outcomes of Aboriginal mothers and families.

One NSW Health Rhodanthe Lipsett Midwifery Postgraduate scholarship, to the value of $15,000, is offered to an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander registered midwife employed by NSW Health. Full registration to the 2022 Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives conference (CATSINaM) is also included.

The scholarship will support your postgraduate studies and develop the skills most relevant to your midwifery area of practice.

Eligibility

To apply you must be:

• of Aboriginal 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 midwife within a NSW Health facility and working in a midwifery role
• enrolled in an Australian postgraduate course in 2022 that is accredited under the NSW Higher Education Act (2001)
• willing to participate in an evaluation or telephone survey about the Aboriginal scholarships program

Application requirements

Please attach these documents to your online application:

• a copy of your confirmation 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 course in 2022. This document must include:
• your name
• the name of the course
• the year of study
• a list of the subjects you have enrolled in for 2022
• a current copy of your resume
• a letter from your employer including:
• your employer's official letterhead
• date and signature (within the last three months)
• your name
• the title of your position
• your employment status (full-time, part-time or casual)
• how long you have been employed in this position
• an essay of no more than 250 words detailing how your studies will contribute to the aims and goals of the Rhodanthe Lipsett Trust.

Read the frequently asked questions before completing an application.

About Rodanthe Lipsett

Rhodanthe Lipsett OAM was an Australian midwife and author. She was a passionate advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and strongly committed to increasing the Aboriginal midwifery workforce.

The scholarship is offered by NSW Health in partnership with the Rhodanthe Lipsett Indigenous Midwifery Trust and the Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives.