Australia focuses on providing quality healthcare services across all it states and suburbs. This has initiated the government to introduce various scholarships and funding programmes to encourage physiotherapists and the rest of the allied health workforce to work in rural and remote areas while serving the Aboriginal community.
Medfuture provides equal opportunity to the allied health professionals in Australia, whilst ensuring successful recruitment in healthcare facilities that provide service to the indigenous community, including Aboriginal people.
Overview of the APA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Physiotherapy Scholarship
The goal of the APA (Australian Physiotherapy Association) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Physiotherapy Scholarship is to increase the number of students completing physiotherapy degrees among the indigenous communities. It awards up to four scholarships annually, with its value being a once-off payment of AU$5000.
Eligibility requirements
Applicants must fulfil the following eligibility criteria:
- Must be of Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin.
- Must be enrolled in a physiotherapy course at an Australian University.
Applications and selection
Applicants must submit the relevant completed form to the APA on or before the closing date. The scholarship will only be awarded to successful candidates on the recommendation of an APA selection board. This selection will be based on the following criteria:
A statement given by the candidates describing the motivation factors that made them become physiotherapists
A statement given by the candidates explaining how they will contribute to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health as qualified physiotherapists.
Reports from referees who are familiar with the candidate’s work and eligibility for a career in physiotherapy
Candidates must not be recipients of any other related scholarships in order to be eligible for this particular scholarship.
Other terms and conditions
Recipients with any idea to defer study must notify the APA with regard to this in writing. The APA may consider granting a deferral for up to 12 months, whilst allowing to retain the scholarship as long as it is approved by the APA.
The scholarship may be terminated or withheld if incorrect details have been provided in the form or any information is omitted.
Aboriginal Rural Allied Health University Student Scholarship
This scholarship assists students that are undertaking courses in the allied health science field and those continuing their tertiary education. The scholarship covers an amount up to AU$10,000.
Who is eligible?
- Following are the eligibility criteria for the Aboriginal Rural Allied Health University Student Scholarship:
- Should be of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent
- Should be an Australian citizen or permanent resident and permanent resident of NSW
- Should have lived in a remote or rural region in NSW
- Be enrolled in a university course at level AQF 7 in NSW in an allied health profession
- Demonstrate an interest in contributing to the future of healthcare in regional and rural NSW
Scholarships to help tackle Gippsland allied health shortages
Federation University Australia in collaboration with Gippsland Primary Health Network (PHN) are working to help fill the gaps in the shortages in this sector. The Gippsland PHN has planned to commit AU$500,000 as scholarship to support university students succeed in their education without any financial burden.
From 2024, these scholarships will financially assist Gippsland students following various allied healthcare fields, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech pathology for the entire four years.
Health Workforce Scholarship Programme
The Allied Health Rural Generalist Workforce and Education Scheme provides scholarships for non-government organisations and private practice. The Rural Health Workforce Australia (RWA) supports rural workforce agencies in every state in Australia in various activities, including recruiting and supporting medical professionals. This includes the following state and RWA scholarship:
Health Workforce Queensland
The Health Workforce Scholarship Programme (HWSP) provides scholarships to individuals in rural and remote Australia to enhance their capacity and skills. It is an initiative of the health department of the Australian government, which is administered by Health Workforce Queensland.
Scholarships are awarded for students undertaking various allied health graduate courses. The scholarship scheme is available for allied health and Aboriginal health workers providing medical services in rural regions in Queensland. It could be private practice, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHO), an Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS), or a non-profit or non-governmental organisation.
Here are the eligibility criteria:
Qualified healthcare professionals in rural areas in Queensland in a MMM 3-7 location; or
Qualified healthcare professionals providing primary healthcare employed by ACCHO and AMS in MMM 1-7 location
SA Health
Regional local health networks offer rural health scholarships for undergraduates, which Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply. There are 6 scholarships offered at each intake under the Rural Health Undergraduate Scholarships programme. Each scholarship is awarded for up to a maximum of four years with AU$5,000 paid every year, adding up to a total of AU$20,000.
Rural Workforce Agency NT
The Health Workforce Scholarships Programme (HWSP) provides uplift and support to the heath workforce in rural regions to help enhance their skills through training, development, and conferences. The scholarship provides an amount of AU$10,000 for a year for up to two years. The scholarship is provided for students following a postgraduate program such as a graduate certificate, graduate diploma or masters.
HR for the Wellbeing of Tasmanians
The Rural Generalist Pathway Scholarship is available for 5th year medical students at University of Tasmania. The scholarship supports students in the career pathway of a rural generalist or rural general practitioner up to a value of AU$15,000 for more than three years. Students have to be Australian citizens and agree to complete a rural placement during their internship year. They must also agree to a rural placement during their RMO year.
Rural Workforce Agency Victoria
The Rural Health West Future Workforce Programme works with students following tertiary education to raise awareness regarding rural health careers to uplift the healthcare status of the rural community. The Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship Scheme Indigenous Health Scholarship is for nursing and allied health students including physiotherapy students.
Jobs in health
The following organisations will be able to assist you if you are interested in a job in allied health or indigenous health:
Indigenous Allied Health Australia
Training to work in health
Following are the different training pathways to work in health:
Completing a traineeship or apprenticeship which helps you gain an accepted qualification while earning an income.
Taking Vocational and Education Training (VET) combines classroom teaching through TAFEs and dedicated training organizations that have been registered. It provides them with practical knowledge through on-the-job training.
Studying at a university for a specific allied health subject like physiotherapy or a general subject like science.
Health studies scholarships
The Australian government supports the funding of scholarships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for the following:
To motivate and support students to complete their tertiary education and join the Australian health workforce.
To assist healthcare professionals with achieving CPD (Continued Professional Development) points and postgraduate studies
Scholarships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship Scheme
This scholarship celebrates Dr Arnold Hunter’s service to indigenous health. The scholarship financially supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to study health science related subjects at a university or registered training institute.
Australian Rotary Health Indigenous Health Scholarships
These scholarships assist students with their daily expenses and financially supports them to complete tertiary education. The Rotary scholarships are funded by the following organisations:
Rotary clubs
Australia Rotary Health
Australian government
Some territory and state governments
Scholarships for rural health workforce
The Health Workforce Scholarship Programme assists students complete their postgraduate qualifications and short courses for professionals working in particular work settings. The programme provides the following:
It aims at increasing quality healthcare access and related services to people living in rural, regional, and remote Australia.
It provides scholarships to present health professionals who are already providing rural healthcare services.
It financially supports students and professionals attend vocational education and training courses, and industry conferences.
This programme is open to the following:
Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services field
Private practices
Non-government entities
There is also a Rural and Regional Enterprise Scholarships Programme that financially supports rural and remote students with the expenses related to studying in the healthcare sector.
Apply through Medfuture! We are a healthcare recruitment organisation that is dedicated to connecting qualified, skilled, and experienced healthcare professionals with reputed healthcare organisations. Medfuture ensures to give healthcare professionals access to high-paying healthcare jobs across all states and suburbs in Australia. Look through the Medfuture job board for the latest jobs in the healthcare sector.
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