Australia offers $20,000 bonus for midwives relocating to rural areas in NSW

The trial will run for six months.

The Australian government is launching a new trial in New South Wales that offers midwives relocating to rural, regional, and remote areas a $20,000 sign-on bonus, starting 30 September. 

This initiative, part of NSW government’s Rural Health Workforce Incentive Scheme, aims to strengthen the midwifery workforce in these regions and improve support for mothers, babies, and families. 

The trial will run for six months, concluding on 31 March 2025, with the bonus available to midwives taking positions in facilities classified as Modified Monash Model level three to seven.

“Midwives support the birth of almost 100,000 babies right across our state each year, regardless of where a family lives the importance of providing women, their partners and families with high quality, compassionate care cannot be underestimated,” said  Health Minister Ryan Park.

“With this innovative trial, we are looking at new ways to fill critical vacancies in our regions so we can build a stronger and more supported regional health workforce,” he added.