As the academic year begins, free degrees for students throughout Victoria, including Hume and Whittlesea, are set to deliver significant increases in applications for courses, the state government said.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Skills and TAFE Minister Gayle Tierney visited Swinburne University of Technology to encourage interested students to apply for the scholarships.
The state government said the scholarship will relieve cost-of-living pressures for students and set them on the path for a lifelong career in healthcare or education.
“We’re building schools and hospitals, and we’re investing in teachers and nurses, because the education and health of Victorians is our priority,” Ms Allan said.
All new domestic students enrolled in a professional-entry nursing or midwifery course in 2024 will receive a scholarship of up to $16,500 to cover course costs.
They will receive $9000 while they study and the remaining $7500 if they go on to work in Victorian public health services for two years.
Scholarships are also available for thousands more experienced nurses who complete postgraduate studies in areas including intensive care, cancer care, paediatrics, and nurse practitioner specialities.
This is extended to enrolled nurses who want to upskill and become registered nurses.
Students who complete their teaching degrees and then choose to work in government secondary schools for two years will receive a scholarship to the value of their HELP loans.
This equals $18,000 for a four-year undergraduate program or $9000 for two years of postgraduate study.
The scholarship for teaching students is in its first year in 2024 but has already seen a nine per cent increase in university offers made for teaching degrees compared to last year.
Details: health.vic.gov.au/nursing-and-midwifery/free-nursing-and-midwifery-study or vic.gov.au/scholarships-secondary-teaching-degrees.
