More than 11,390 students across New South Wales have received financial support through the Minns Government’s tertiary study subsidies, with the $121.9 million initiative designed to strengthen the state’s future healthcare workforce. Since its launch in 2024, the program has provided assistance to students entering health-related courses while also supporting graduates moving into NSW Health employment.
The scheme offers eligible students up to $12,000 during their studies, which can be used towards expenses including course fees, technology, travel and other costs associated with tertiary education. Graduates who complete an approved qualification and secure an employment offer from NSW Health can also receive a one-off $8,000 payment.
In return for the support, recipients are required to commit to working within the NSW public health system for five years. The arrangement is intended to create a longer-term workforce pipeline by encouraging students to pursue healthcare careers while providing an incentive for qualified graduates to remain within the public system.
The initiative has attracted participants from metropolitan, regional, rural and remote parts of NSW. More than 5,600 beneficiaries have been first-year students, while more than 5,770 graduates supported through the program have subsequently commenced employment within NSW Health. The figures indicate that the scheme is supporting both students at the beginning of their training and the transition into the workforce.
During 2026 so far, assistance has reached 778 medical students, 1,542 nursing students, 203 midwifery students, 544 allied health students and 318 paramedicine students. The previous year’s figures included 890 medical students, 1,754 nursing students, 166 midwifery students, 675 allied health students and 434 paramedicine students.
The government says the subsidy program forms part of a wider strategy aimed at improving access to healthcare outside major metropolitan centres. Several measures are being pursued alongside the tertiary assistance, including a $200.1 million accommodation program providing furnished housing for health workers in rural and remote communities and incentives of up to $20,000 for difficult-to-fill positions.
Training opportunities are also being expanded. The Rural Generalist Single Employer Pathway has so far supported 74 doctors undertaking rural generalist training across NSW, while an $83 million investment is being directed towards strengthening maternity services in regional areas. The government says the maternity initiative includes funding for an additional 53 full-time-equivalent midwives.
Regional paramedic capacity is another area receiving attention, with the government planning to add 500 paramedics across regional NSW. Together with the education subsidies, accommodation assistance and workforce incentives, these measures are intended to address longstanding recruitment and retention challenges affecting healthcare services outside metropolitan areas.
NSW Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park said the number of students benefiting from the program demonstrated the government’s focus on developing the state’s health workforce. He said attracting doctors, nurses, paramedics and allied health professionals to regional communities remained a longstanding challenge and that rebuilding workforce capacity was essential to ensuring people could access healthcare regardless of where they lived.
The latest figures also underline the government’s broader approach of linking education assistance with workforce needs. By supporting students through their training and encouraging graduates to enter the public health system, the program is designed to convert financial assistance into a sustained supply of qualified healthcare professionals for communities across NSW.
