HECS-HELP Initiative for GradConnect Newly Qualified Nurses and Midwives

Initiated on 01 July 2023, The WA Health HECS-HELP initiative (250KB) was developed to grow regional nursing and midwifery workforce in Western Australia (WA).

What does the HECS-HELP initiative provide?

The HECS-HELP initiative provides grants of up to $12,000 over 3 years for newly qualified registered nurses and midwives (NQNMs) who accept work in WA Country Health Service (WACHS) rural, remote, and regional public hospitals through GradConnect.

Am I eligible for the HECS-HELP initiative?

Eligibility for this initiative requires NQNMs to be recruited through the GradConnect process for a graduate program within WACHS (external site).

GradConnect is the centralised recruitment process for NQNMs to apply and access a wide range of employment opportunities within WA public health services.

Other eligibility criteria

  1. Applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent visa holders who meet the HECS-HELP (external site) loan eligibility
  2. Newly qualified registered nurses and midwives commence employment to a position through GradConnect with WACHS on or after 1 July 2023.
  3. Only applicable to permanent or fixed term contracts of 12 months or longer.
  4. Casual contracts or fixed term contracts less than 12 months are ineligible.
How do I access the HECS-HELP?

Conditions

  • If the NQNM has previously received a CNMO scholarship to cover tuition fees during their undergraduate degree that is equal to, or exceeds, $12,000 the grant will be proportionate to the difference of the scholarship amount and the $12,000.
  • Applicants must provide evidence of their current HECS-HELP loan balance. To access your HECS-HELP loan balance, please contact the Australian Taxation Office. Any non-HECS-HELP costs incurred by the employee are not covered by this scheme.
  • Applicants can be seconded to different hospitals across WACHS and remain eligible.
  • Moving from a WACHS site to a metro site renders employees ineligible for payment.

Application process

  • There is no formal application to complete. , The Chief Nursing and Midwifery Office and WACHS collaborate to ensure GradConnect NQNM meeting the eligibility criteria are contacted directly to access funding.
  • GradConnect applicants starting on or after 1 July 2023, will be contacted after having completed 12months of continuous service with WACHS.

Payment schedule

 

First incentive payment

12 months*

Second incentive payment 2 years*

Third incentive payment

3 years*

Payment amount

$4,000

$4,000

$4,000

Cumulative amount

$4,000

$8,000

$12,000

*Continuous service

  • Employees must work for a minimum of 12 months continuous service with WACHS before they are eligible to claim the first incentive payment.
  • Employees must work for a minimum of 2 years continuous service with WACHS before they are eligible to claim the second incentive payment.
  • Employees must work for a minimum of 3 years continuous service with WACHS before they are eligible to claim the third incentive payment.
  • Casual contracts and fixed term contracts less than 12 months are ineligible.

More information

Applications for HECS-HELP are centrally coordinated by the WA Chief Nursing and Midwifery Office.

Email: nmo.scholarships@health.wa.gov.au

Last reviewed: 19-04-2024