Primary Care Nursing and Midwifery Scholarships

Financial support offered :

1850 scholarships are available over 3.5 years for domestic students undertaking Graduate certificates, Graduate diplomas, and Master's studies to become Nurse Practitioners or endorsed Midwives working in primary care.  The scholarships will be funded upon successful completion of study units.
 

Course	Duration	Total Scholarship Amount
Graduate Certificate	Up to one year of part-time study	Up to $15,000
Graduate Diploma	Up to two years of part-time study	Up to $15,000
Master's	Up to three years of part-time study	Up to $30,000

 

Additional Support and Scholarship program benefits:

• Membership of the Australian College of Nurse Practitioners, including associated member benefits
• Membership of another partner professional association relevant to your area of practice
• Connections through memberships to mentorship and additional resources
• Dedicated scholar support
• ACNP free advanced practice modules to support your clinical practice development
• Access to Murra Mullangari: Introduction to Cultural Safety and Cultural Humility online course with the Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses (CATSINaM), free for all scholars.

Ready to advance your career in primary care?

Here's what you need to do to apply for the scholarship program:

1. Check the Deadlines:

Applications for Round 2 are NOW OPEN

We encourage you to apply early! Application deadlines are strictly enforced, so be sure to submit your complete application package by 10 February 2025. Don't miss out on this valuable opportunity!

2. Gather Your Documents:  

To complete your application, you'll need to prepare, or have ready the following information:

• A copy of your registration with NMBA - for uploading - you can download your certificate from the NMBA website, or login and access your certificate HERE
• A copy of your course enrolment (if available/confirmed) for uploading
• A copy of your CV - to complete relevant details on the portal

3. Apply Online:

We've made applying for the scholarship program easy!  Simply click the link below to access our user-friendly online application portal (Available Now)

The application form will guide you through the process step-by-step.  NOW OPEN

We look forward to receiving your application!

Enter the Application Portal HERE to get started

Don't forget to check the Guidelines and Read the Terms and Conditions

Eligibility

Can I apply for the scholarship program?
You can apply if you're a registered nurse or midwife who:

• Is an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
• Currently works in, or plans to work in, a primary care setting.
• Holds current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).
• Enroled in, or intending to enrol in relevant postgraduate study

We especially encourage applications from:

• First Nations applicants who can serve their communities.
• Nurses and midwives seeking work in regional, rural, and remote areas.

 

What kind of programs are eligible for the scholarship?

The scholarship supports postgraduate programs that will help you advance your skills in primary care. This includes:

• Graduate Certificate/Diploma programs relevant to clinical nursing and midwifery.
• Master’s programs leading to endorsement as Nurse Practitioners or Midwives.

What kind of programs are NOT eligible for the scholarship?

Depending on the individual program, and it's applicability to the PCNMS objectives, the following types of courses are generally considered ineligible:

• Management
• Health Service Management
• Education
• Leadership

In accordance with the guidelines, all courses must be relevant to Primary Care.

 

What are some examples of who can study, and types of courses eligible under the program?

As long as you are working in, or planning to work in primary care, you can apply.  See these examples:

• A registered nurse working in a primary care clinic can do a Graduate Diploma in Midwifery
• A registered nurse or registered midwife working in Community/Primary Health can do a Graduate Certificate in Child and Family Health
• A registered nurse can enrol in an approved Master’s program to become a nurse practitioner working in primary care
• An endorsed midwife working in primary care can do a Masters in Primary Health Care
• A nurse practitioner working in a specialist area can enrol in a graduate diploma in primary care, or rural health, to transition practice to primary care
• A registered midwife can enrol in a Graduate Certificate to become an endorsed midwife.
• A credentialed mental health nurse can enrol in a Graduate Diploma or Master’s in Mental Health or Rural Health
• A registered Nurse working in Residential Aged Care can apply for a Graduate Diploma in Primary Health Care, or an approved Masters to become a nurse practitioner 

 

Application Process

When is the deadline to apply?

The application deadline for Round 2 is 10 February 2025. Don't miss out! We recommend applying early, as available scholarships may run out for Round 2 before the deadline.

Scholarship payments will not be retrospectively paid for units completed prior to the scholarship being granted.

How do I find my NMBA registration certificate?

You can download your certificate from the NMBA website or, login and access your certificate HERE

 

Scholarship Benefits

How much financial support will I receive? 

The scholarship offers full or partial support depending on your needs. It will cover 

• Tuition fees for your chosen postgraduate program, only for units underway, and future units within the course.
• Approved clinical placement expenses (receipts required), once all course fees have been funded.

The scholarship will NOT cover:

• Retrospective funding for units already completed
• Additional units or any change of study program from that specified in the scholarship application
• Any study not at an Australian University
• Living expenses

How do I receive the scholarship money?

Scholarship funds are paid directly to the scholar. The scholar is responsible for paying the institution the full amount owing as per their itemised invoice. Funds are reimbursed to the student. When a scholar has successfully completed one or more units of study, they must submit their claim for scholarship funding as soon as possible, and no later than four weeks after their study period has ended.
For approved clinical placement expenses, you'll be reimbursed after submitting receipts, once all course fees have been paid.

 

Information on Professional Experience Placement Payments (PEPP) / reimbursement for clinical placement expenses

The objective of the Primary Care Nursing and Midwifery Scholarship funding is to cover tuition for the nominated course of the scholar. The Scholarship funds have been set in alignment with the estimated and average course fees to ensure that scholars who are self-funding their studies are covered wherever possible for the full tuition amount.  While covering tuition is the main outcome there is scope in the guidelines to cover some Professional Experience Placement Payments (PEPP).

Eligibility to Claim: You will be able to claim these expenses only after you have completed all the requirements of your awarded course. This includes ensuring that all tuition fees are fully paid first by the scholarship, including repayment of any HECS/HELP debt associated with the course. Expenses will only be considered for clinical placement as required as part of your course.  Accommodation, meals, and travel are only eligible when the placement is outside of your normal place of work.

Allowable Expenses: Some of the eligible expenses include:

• Accommodation: Standard rates for accommodation during your placement – Up to $200 per day
• Meals: During placement - Up to $50 per day
• Travel: Economy airfares and other travel-related expenses, such as up to $100 per week in petrol or public transport costs.
• Required Clinical Resources: Any specific resources that are not provided by the placement’s organisation – Up to $500

Excluded Expenses: Some of the ineligible expenses include:

• Nonclinical placement related expenses
• Fees paid to 3rd party providers (e.g. agency fees to arrange placements)
• Mentoring fees
• Conferences
• Additional courses, or additional units not included within your original application 

Documentation Required: We recommend that you keep all receipts and proof of expenses throughout your course. These will need to be uploaded to the portal or submitted at the end of your course for assessment.

Reimbursement Process: Once you have completed your course, and if there are remaining scholarship funds, these expenses will be assessed against the guidelines. Please note that no payments will be made before the completion of your studies.

 

Key tips for applying

To improve your chances of acceptance for a scholarship, ensure you:

• Address the scholarship criteria, how does your chosen course assist your clinical practice in Primary Care?
• Answer all questions in full, do not leave answers blank, and ensure you address criteria
• Don't use AI, individual responses are required
• Upload a full record of your enrolment, or if you have already commenced, a transcript that reflects your study units completed or credited, units underway, and units remaining.
• Declare any other funding or scholarships

 

Can I apply more than once?

You can apply more than once, however, first priority will be given to those who have not already received a scholarship under this Program.

For example, you may be completing a Graduate Certificate in Primary Care in order to enter a Nurse Practitioner Master's Program, both within the next 3 years.  You may apply for both at the time of enrolment in each. However, if you are successful in achieving a scholarship for the Graduate Certificate, you will be less likely to be awarded a scholarship for your Masters.  This is dependent on demand, and demonstrates fairness and equity in ensuring the scholarships are distributed to as many nurses and midwives as possible.  Should there still be scholarships available, you may be lucky enough to receive a second scholarship under the Program.    

 

Academic Support

Will the program help me with my studies?

Yes! The Australian College of Nurse Practitioners (ACNP) can provide guidance and resources to support you throughout your postgraduate program. For academic support specific to your program curriculum, please refer to the program information provided by the educational institution offering your chosen postgraduate program.

 

Can I contact the Australian College of Nurse Practitioners (ACNP) for further questions?

Absolutely! The ACNP is here to help. If you have any questions about the scholarship program itself, you can contact them at:

Email: pcnmsadmin@acnp.org.au
Phone: 1300 672 083

Email: pcnmsadmin@acnp.org.au
Phone: 1300 672 083

Click the below image to access the first information session recording from 22 June 2024.

   

Click the below image to access the first information session recording from 20 July 2024.

 

Read the PCNMSP Guidelines

Read the PCNMS Terms and Conditions

By submitting your application, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to these Terms and Conditions.

Primary Care Nursing and Midwifery Scholarship Program – an Australian Government initiative’

This Program is also supported by the following organisations, who are collaborating to ensure both the success of the program, and the best outcomes for scholars within the program.

Australian College of Nurse Practitioners - Administrator

Australian College of Mental Health Nurses

Australian College of Midwives

Australian College of Nursing

Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation

Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association

Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives

Council of Deans of Nursing and Midwifery

CRANAPlus

National Rural Health Alliance