Tertiary Health Study Subsidies

​The Tertiary Health Study Subsidy Program (THSSP) provides a financial subsidy to students studying an eligible health qualification and are committed to entering the NSW Health workforce. These payments can assist students with fees, technology, travel, or other associated costs.

NSW Health offers two subsidies. 2,000 subsidies are awarded in every year for each subsidy in 2024, 2025, and 2026.

• Students commencing study can receive up to $12,000 paid over three years ($4,000/year) if studying an eligible health qualification and are intending to work for NSW Health for at least 5 years upon completion.
• Students graduating study can receive an $8,000 payment if they have studied an eligible health qualification, commenced work with NSW Health with that qualification, and are committed to working for NSW Health for at least 5 years.

On this page

1. 2025 eligibility
2. 2025 eligible qualifications
3. Applying and accepting a subsidy
4. Payment of subsidies
5. For more information

2025 eligibility

In 2025, the THSSP is open to applicants who:

• are Australian citizens, or Australian permanent residents, or New Zealand citizens, and
• are studying or studied an eligible tertiary health qualification at a recognised educational provider, and
• are committed to working for NSW Health for at least 5 years in a profession resulting from their study, and
• have not previously received a Tertiary Health Study Subsidy.

Commencing study

Applicants must commence study for an eligible workforce group at a tertiary educational institution in 2025.

Graduating study

Applicants must have successfully completed study for an eligible health qualification and commenced work with NSW Health with that qualification from October 2024.

2025 eligible health qualifications

Aboriginal Health Practitioner
Dentist
Dietitian
Enrolled Nurse
Exercise Physiologist
Genetic Counsellor
Medical Officer
Midwife
Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Occupational Therapist
Oral Health Therapist
Orthotist
Orthoptist
Paramedic
Pharmacist
Physiotherapist
Podiatrist
Prosthetist
Psychologist
Radiographer
Radiation Therapist
Registered Nurse
Scientist (Pathology)
Social Worker
Sonographer
Speech Pathologist

If you have received another scholarship or subsidy

Applicants who are receiving other NSW Health scholarships or grants may be ineligible for these subsidies. Applicants are responsible for checking the conditions of any other scholarships or grants that they have submitted an application for or are receiving to ensure there are no conflicts.

Applying and accepting a subsidy

The application process including applying and accepting a subsidy is through the myHETIconnect portal.

Applications for the 2025 awarding will open on the 14 January 2025.

Register to be notified when 2025 applications open.

Applications will be screened for their eligibility to the program and offers will only be made to eligible applications. You will be required to provide further evidence of your study or employment to progress to payment.

Payment of subsidies

For successful applicants commencing study

As part of accepting a subsidy, you understand that:

• if you do not remain employed by NSW Health for 5 years from the date you complete your tertiary health qualification, you agree that you will reimburse the subsidy paid to you
• NSW Health reserves the right to deny payment or require the reimbursement of the subsidy in the event of disciplinary proceedings or misconduct.

First-year payments will be made after proof is provided that you remain enrolled after your university's census date.

Second and third-year payments will be made after you provide proof of continued enrolment and the passing of previous year subjects.

Payments will be made as a deposit to the bank account nominated by the successful applicant. Payments may take up to six weeks to process from the date evidence is approved.

Applicants are able to track the status of their evidence and payments through the myHETIconnect portal.

For successful applicants graduating study

As part of accepting a subsidy, you understand that:

• if you do not remain employed by NSW Health for 5 years from the date of receiving the subsidy, you agree that you will reimburse the subsidy paid to you
• NSW Health reserves the right to deny payment or require the reimbursement of the subsidy in the event of disciplinary proceedings or misconduct.

A one-off payment will be made via NSW Health payroll after your StaffLink number is verified that you are working with NSW Health in a position that required the qualification you gained resulting from study.

Payments are subject to PAYG withholding on the basis that the payment is provided to individuals when they commence their employment with NSW Health and are paid in line with ordinary pay cycles.

As a one-off payment, the 'average tax' method will be used by averaging the payment over the current financial year and applying that to the average total earnings to date. The maximum PAYG withholding in respect of the payment is limited to a maximum of 47% of the payment. A detailed explanation of the calculation can be found on the Australian Taxation Office website.

Other financial advice

Subsidies may affect Centrelink payment entitlements. All applicants are strongly advised to follow required Centrelink payment processes and seek independent financial advice regarding your individual circumstances.

For more information

For further enquiries or information about the Tertiary Health Study Subsidies please email: MOH-THSSP@health.nsw.gov.au.

Other scholarships and grants

​NSW Health scholarships and grants

We offer other scholarships and grants to support students and NSW Health staff living and working across NSW. You can find out more at:

• NSW Health Rural Scholarships
• NSW Health Scholarships and Grants

Scholarships and grants from other organisations

Many other organisations offer support and funding. These scholarships are not administered by NSW Health. Please contact the organisations you're interested in to find out more.

• The NSW Rural Doctors Network
• Health Workforce Scholarship Program
• Bush Bursaries and Country Women's Association Scholarships
• Outreach Student Placement Program
• Go Rural
• Scholarships database
• The Australia College of Nursing
• National Rural Health Alliance