As part of the Making it Free to Study Nursing and Midwifery initiative, the department offered 1,000 enrolled nurse (EN) to registered nurse (RN) transition scholarships in 2023 and 2024 (2,000 total). These allowed eligible enrolled nurses currently employed in Victorian public health services to complete a 2-year transition course from diploma to degree that leads to registration as an RN.
Health services were able to apply for funding for this scholarship over four funding rounds held in 2023 and 2024.
Funding rounds for this scholarship have now closed and further funding rounds will not be open. The below information remains applicable to ENs who have received a scholarship.
Information for scholarship recipients
Scholarship payments
The full scholarship of $11,000 is provided to eligible candidates over 4 years of both study and employment as follows:
- $2,500 a year for 2 years of study
- $3,000 a year for 2 years of employment, once study is completed and while employed in a Victorian public health service.
You must complete the course and work as a RN in a Victorian public health service for 2 years, at a minimum 0.6 FTE (full time equivalent) or pro rata equivalent. While studying, it's suggested that enrolled nurses are employed at a minimum of 0.2 FTE and a maximum of 0.6 FTE or pro rata equivalent.
You are responsible for enrolling and organising associated payments to your chosen education provider (including upfront payments or deferral by HECS-HELP loan) by the due date and for any study costs incurred beyond the value of the scholarship.
Studying part-time
Students that study part-time will be eligible to receive $2,500 each year for 2 years of study, up to a maximum of $5,000. However, if the student doesn’t obtain employment as an RN in a public health service within the 4 years of the scholarship funding period, they will not be eligible for the final $6,000 payment.
Casual employment
Enrolled nurses employed on a casual basis are eligible to receive scholarship payments while studying their transition course but are encouraged to meet the pro rata equivalent to 0.2-0.6 FTE.
On completing their transition course, enrolled nurses may be employed on a casual basis but must work as a registered nurse for 2 years at a minimum 0.6 FTE, or pro rata equivalent, to continue to receive the scholarship payments.
Deferral and withdrawal from studies
If you were successful in gaining a scholarship, you are responsible for enrolling and completing the qualification by the due date. Also, for any study costs beyond the value of the scholarship.
If you need to defer or withdraw from studies, you must notify your employer within 1 week of the change in study arrangements. If you plan to recommence study in the same year, you do not need to return the funds.
If you do not return to study in the same year, the funds will be recalled and returned to the health service.
Transferring to a new health service
If you transfer to another health service, it's up to your health service that originally received the scholarship (on your behalf) to decide whether to transfer it to your new health service.
Taxation
The department is not required to withhold tax (PAYG) from scholarships paid. You should be aware:
- you may be liable to pay tax on your scholarship. For more information, see the calculator on the Australian Taxation .
- you may be entitled to claim a tax deduction for self-education expenses. For more information, see the Australian Taxation .
The department strongly recommends that recipients seek independent tax advice for their scholarship payment.
Information for health services
Health services must report student numbers and enrolment activity to the department each year to confirm funding allocations over the four years of the scholarship. A departmental reporting template will be provided for this purpose.
Funds will be disbursed to health services through the department’s budget payment system, in line with current finance arrangements and policy. Health services must refrain from distributing funding to recipients until they have sighted evidence of continued enrolment for all recipients.
Reviewed 13 January 2025