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Health Workforce Scholarship Program

Funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, the Health Workforce Scholarship Program (HWSP) is administered in the Northern Territory (NT) by the NT PHN, incorporating Rural Workforce Agency Northern Territory (RWA NT).

The program provides scholarships and bursaries to eligible health professionals working in rural and remote primary healthcare settings across the NT.

Applications are assessed against workforce priorities and needs identified in the Rural Workforce Needs Assessments, using an additional review process to support fair and equitable funding decisions. Please note that funding is limited and not guaranteed.

Who is this program for?

Scholarships and bursaries are available to medical, nursing, midwifery, dental, allied health, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals who provide primary healthcare services in the Northern Territory’s remote and rural areas.

Applicants must be employed:

  • in a private practice or non-government not-for-profit primary healthcare organisation within a MM 3–7 location; or
  • by an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) within a MM 1–7 location.

Please note:
Health professionals employed in private practice or non-government not-for-profit organisations in MMM 2 locations may not be eligible for the HWSP. However, they may be eligible for alternative funding opportunities through the Professional Development Grants.

For further information regarding the program or eligibility, please contact our grants team.

  • Check your location using the Health Workforce Locator (MMM 2023 Classification).

    Eligible locations include:

    • MMM 3–7 locations for rural and remote primary healthcare providers
    • MMM 1–7 locations for health professionals employed by ACCHOs.

  • Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements to apply. Full eligibility criteria, exclusions and program requirements are available in the applicant guidelines.

    Read the guidelines

  • Bursary: payments of up to $10,000 over a 12-month period to support course fees and training-related expenses, including travel and accommodation where appropriate. Funding can be used for online or face-to-face short courses and workshops.

    Scholarship: payments of up to $10,000 per year for up to two years to support the completion of a postgraduate qualification, including a postgraduate certificate, postgraduate diploma, master’s degree or PhD.

    • Retrospective funding is not available for courses completed prior to applying.
    • Applicants currently undertaking eligible study may be considered for future course expenses only.
    • A maximum of one application per person will be considered per funding round.
    • Courses must commence on or after the relevant round opening date and within 6 months of the application submission date.
    • Grant round dates are subject to change.

    For more information, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document.

  • Q1 | 2026-27

    Applications open: 1 July 2026 – 26 July 2026
    Course commencement: on or before 26 January 2027
    Outcomes advised: on or before 12 August 2026

    Q2 | 2026-27

    Applications open: 1 October 2026 – 25 October 2026
    Course commencement: on or before 25 April 2027
    Outcomes advised: on or before 11 November 2026

    Q3 | 2026-27

    Applications open: 25 January 2027 – 21 February 2027
    Course commencement: on or before 21 August 2027
    Outcomes advised: on or before 10 March 2027

    Q4 | 2026-27

    Applications open: 12 April 2027 – 9 May 2027
    Course commencement: on or before 9 November 2027
    Outcomes advised: on or before 26 May 2027

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