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Vic Premier Daniel Andrews . Photo : David Crosling
Debt reduction
Free degrees for 10,000 nurses and midwives .
Nursing groups have welcomed Victoria ’ s proposal to pay off university debts for nursing and midwifery students but warn that a nationwide strategy is needed to tackle sector wide shortages and burnout .
The Victorian government recently announced it would spend $ 270 million to recruit and train thousands of new nurses and midwives .
Under the five-year program , new domestic students enrolling in a professional-entry nursing and midwifery course over the next two years would receive a scholarship to cover course costs .
Students will receive $ 9000 over the first three years of study and the remaining $ 7500 would be paid off if they work in the Victorian public health services for two years .
“ If you ’ re in Year 12 and you ’ ve been thinking about studying nursing or midwifery – go for it . We ’ ve got your HECS fees covered ,” Premier Daniel Andrews said .
During a recent health workforce roundtable nurses unions raised the idea of a one-off nationwide HECS waiver to abolish university debt for nurses working across all sectors .
Australian College of Nursing acting chief Yvonne Mckinlay said Victoria ’ s plan was a “ crucial ” first step but needed to be expanded into other states and territories .
“ A multi-faceted approach is needed to establish a sustainable nursing workforce that shapes the health of all Australians for generations to come ,” she said .
Following the announcement , NSW nurses urged the state government to follow in Victoria ’ s footsteps .
NSW Nurses and Midwives ’ Association general secretary Shaye Candish said thousands of NSW nurses were flocking to other states , including Victoria and Queensland , in search of better working conditions and nurse-to-patient ratios .
“ The Victorian government ’ s announcement is exactly the type of forward-thinking we have been championing in NSW to address some of the workforce concerns we can already see coming down the line here ,” she said . ■
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