Better health and ageing for all Australians

Office of Aged Care Quality and Compliance (OACQC)

Aged Care Nursing Scholarships

Overview of aged care nursing scholarships

In this section:

The Supporting a Professional Aged Care Workforce Program provides scholarships to individuals intending to:

    • undertake undergraduate, postgraduate or nurse practitioner studies relating to the care of older people, at an Australian tertiary institute; or
    • undertake continuing professional development relating to the care of older people.
Over the 2010-11 to 2013-14 period, the following aged care nursing scholarships will be offered:
    • 1,580 undergraduate nursing scholarships;
    • 1,240 postgraduate scholarships; and
    • 40 nurse practitioner scholarships.
Undergraduate scholarships are available to individuals who can demonstrate a commitment to aged care, for courses leading to a qualification to practice as a registered nurse. These scholarships provide financial assistance of up to $10,000 per year to a maximum of $30,000 to assist in meeting costs incurred while studying.

Postgraduate scholarships are available for:
    • registered nurses working in the aged care sector and undertaking postgraduate certificates, diplomas, masters or honours level study. These scholarships provide financial assistance of up to $15,000 a year to a maximum of $30,000 to assist in meeting costs incurred while studying; or
    • enrolled nurses or registered nurses in the aged care sector undertaking short courses, workshops, conference attendance and nurse re-entry courses.
Postgraduate scholarships will fund courses relating to care of older people including clinical gerontology, behavioural management, dementia care, wound care, continence care, palliative care, end of life care as it relates to older people and aged care infection control. Leadership and management courses will also be considered eligible.

Nurse practitioner scholarships are available to registered nurses in the aged care sector while studying courses leading to endorsement as a nurse practitioner. These scholarships provide financial assistance of up to $15,000 a year up to a maximum of $30,000.

Further information regarding scholarships, including criteria, eligible courses, value of scholarships, application dates and application forms can be found at: www.rcna.org.au or free-call 1800 117 262.
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