There’s good news for aspiring nursing and midwifery students in Victoria, with the State Government offering free degrees – but there’s also a catch that could be bad news for aged care.
Under the $270 million scheme, 17,000 nursing and midwifery students starting in 2023 or 2024 – including 10,000 undergraduates – will receive up to $16,500 for course costs.
“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,” said Premier Dan Andrews.
“Every health system in the country is under enormous pressure due to the pandemic. The best thing we can do to support our hardworking staff is give them more support on the ground – that’s why this package will train and hire more nurses than ever before.”
What’s the catch?
Unfortunately, to get the full amount graduating students will need to spend two years working in Victorian public health services, otherwise they’ll only receive $9,000.
Sonya Smart, CEO of Not For Profit provider VMCH, points out that while this is a “desperately needed” move for the state’s health system, aged care nurses are also desperately needed – and this may well divert graduates away from aged care.
“While we await long-term solutions under Federal Government reforms, including wages increases and improved training, there is no short-term solution to support the aged care workforce.
“This move by the State Government continues to place aged care in competition for workforce in terms of workforce education and salaries.
“From the beginning we have been advocating for a whole of healthcare solution – this is just another wedge, placing aged care at the bottom of the health care system,” she said.
Aged care and public health shouldn’t have to compete with each other – so here’s hoping the Victorian Government reconsiders its conditions for the full scholarship.
