Qld offers cost-of-living bonus for nurses, midwives to train in regions

Nursing and midwifery students will be handed a lucrative $5000 cost-of-living bonus in their final year under a new multimillion-dollar state government program, but they’ll have to be prepared to make a major lifestyle decision in return.

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman this week. Picture: Liam Kidston

Nursing and midwifery students will be handed a lucrative cost-of-living bonus for doing their hands-on training in the regions, under a new multimillion-dollar state government program.

A total of $21.96m will be set aside in the upcoming state budget for the new allowance, handing $5000 to each final-year nursing and midwifery student who heads into regional, rural and remote communities for their placements.

Treasurer Cameron Dick said the cash would help student nurses and midwives pay for fuel, accommodation, and food.

It’s hoped reducing financial barriers for moving further afield will help increase the number of qualified health professionals working in communities.

Under the scheme students would need to do their placements in communities defined as regional, rural and remote under the Modified Monash Model.

This is effectively most parts of Queensland outside Brisbane, Ipswich, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.

Cities like Townsville, Cairns and Toowoomba are considered regional under the MMM so in order to qualify the student’s placement must also be 100km from their usual place of residence.

Queensland Health is set to work with relevant stakeholders including universities, TAFE and other education providers to implement the ­financial assistance program.

The $21.96m allowance program will run for four years, meaning there is enough cash for 1098 nursing and midwifery students a year.

The Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union has previously called for the state to follow in the footsteps of the Victorian government, which last year announced a $270m package to provide free training and university degrees for budding nurses and midwives.

The QNMU argued waiving fees “would likely assist with workforce growth and the retention of students and future nurses and midwives who might consider moving, studying and working interstate”.

The Queensland Greens backed in those calls and also proposed the state government put in place a $5000 retention and workforce re-entry payment to keep talent and get former nurses back in.

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman said student nurses and midwives were the future of the health system.

“They are dedicating the rest of their lives to helping us and our loved ones, which is why our government is dedicated to helping them – especially as cost-of-living pressures mount,” she said. “This $5000 allowance will help final-year students on placement in regional and rural areas deal with increasing prices, while also incentivising them to come out and live in these wonderful communities.”

The state government in May announced incentives of up to $70,000 for interstate or international health workers to move here and work in regional and remote hospitals.

Figures show there are already 786 registrations of interest.