Postgraduate
Nursing Scholarship
Maternal and Child Health
Applicant Guidelines for 2015
The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) administers a Postgraduate
Scholarship program under the Maternal and Child Health Service. The scholarships on offer are each valued at
$5,000* and are intended for nurses registered as both a Division 1 nurse and a midwife, currently working in
the public health sector and seeking to undertake postgraduate study in maternal and child health nursing. The
aim of the scholarships program is to assist eligible nursing professionals complete further education in their
chosen field of maternal and child health and subsequently increase the quality and capacity of Victoria’s
maternal and child health nurse workforce.
Postgraduate courses
Applicants for the Maternal and Child Health Nursing Postgraduate Scholarship program must be planning to or
currently undertaking either a:

Master of Nursing Science in Child, Family and Community

Postgraduate Diploma of Nursing Science in Child, Family and Community

Graduate Diploma in Child and Family Health Nursing
delivered by an Australian University.
Entry requirements for courses include current registration as both a Division 1 nurse and a midwife with the
Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
Eligibility
Eligible applicants must fulfil all of the following requirements.





Hold Australian citizenship/ permanent residency or New Zealand citizenship.
Hold a current Division 1 Registered Nurse registration (without restrictions) with the AHPRA.
Hold a current Midwifery registration (without restrictions) with the AHPRA.
Are able to provide evidence of 2015 enrolment in one of the above postgraduate courses delivered by an
Australian University and be able to provide proof of payment or deferment of university fees.
Intend to seek employment (or are already employed) within a Victorian Municipal Maternal and Child
Health service following completion of study.
Please note:

those who have already received a Maternal and Child Health Nursing Postgraduate Scholarship in
previous years are not eligible to receive the scholarship again in 2015 and in any forthcoming years

direct entry midwives are not eligible to apply for this scholarship

those who already hold a current award qualification in Maternal and Child Health nursing are not eligible
to apply for this scholarship.
* Scholarship funds are considered to be taxable income.
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Selection Process
Where the numbers of eligible applications received are greater than the available funding, scholarships will be
awarded based on:

industry need and government workforce priorities. For example:
o nurses from and/or living and practicing in regional, rural and remote communities in Victoria
and other geographic areas with known workforce needs (for example, local government areas
with high growth and demand)
o nurses from and/ or living and practicing in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
around Victoria
o nurses from and/ or living and practicing in culturally and linguistically diverse communities
around Victoria.
The Victorian Government is committed to ensuring that applicants for the Maternal and Child Health Nursing
Postgraduate Scholarship program accurately reflects the composition of the Victorian community. This includes
representation from men, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Victorians, Victorians of all ages, Victoria’s
culturally diverse community and Victorians living with a disability.
Scholarships will be granted at the discretion of the DEECD and the decision is final.
Incomplete and incorrect applications may not be considered. Late entries may not be accepted.
Successful applicants will be notified by mail or email and may be required to submit the following
documentation to the DEECD by the due date. These documents are not required to be submitted with the
initial scholarship application.

a signed ‘Letter of Offer’ accepting the scholarship and all scholarship conditions

evidence of Australian citizenship, permanent residency or New Zealand citizenship

a copy of current AHPRA registration showing name, registration number, and any associated
conditions or restrictions on registration

confirmation of enrolment in the accredited course in 2015

evidence of payment or deferment of fees (full fee paying students only). This may be in the form of:
a. an official university letter confirming payment
b. an official Student Tax Invoice or Statement of Account for 2015.

information provided must include:
a. course – enrolled units, subjects or courses for 2015
b. enrolment status – part-time/full-time course load
c. type of place – e.g. Commonwealth Supported Place or full-fee paying

Australian bank account details for direct deposit of funds

a completed Tax File Number Declaration form

contact details of current employer who will provide a verbal reference (where applicable).
Please note: these documents are not required to be submitted with the initial scholarship application.
Successful applicants are responsible for enrolling and paying course fees or HECS-HELP by the due date, and
are responsible for debts incurred in the course of study including FEE-HELP and HECS-HELP loans.
Commonwealth Supported Place students may be eligible for a discount if the student’s HECS-HELP
contribution is paid ahead of the census date for each semester.
For more information about FEE-HELP and HECS-HELP please visit http://studyassist.gov.au .
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Scholarship conditions
By accepting a scholarship offer, the recipient is accepting the following scholarship conditions:
Taxable income
Scholarship funds are considered to be taxable income. Scholarship funds of $5,000 will
be taxed at a tax-rate appropriate to the recipient, as determined by the Australian
Taxation Office. DEECD has an obligation to withhold tax on the scholarship payment at
a particular PAYG withholding rate. HECS-HELP liabilities may also be deducted.
Consent to share
student
information
Students will be required to sign a consent form, giving the University permission to share
student enrolment information with DEECD for the purposes of administering
scholarships.
Deferment
course
If a student is required to defer their studies for any reason they must notify DEECD
within one week of the change in study arrangements. All or part of the scholarship
money will be required to be returned to DEECD. Students may then re-apply at the time
of recommencement of the course.
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Withdrawal from
course
Students withdrawing from the course are required to notify DEECD within one week of
withdrawal. All or part of scholarship money will be required to be returned to the
Department.
Disbursement of scholarship funds
Scholarship funding for successful applicants will be paid directly to the recipient. It is expected that
scholarship recipients will utilise scholarship funds for the purpose outlined in these guidelines. Payments will
not be made to universities or directly the Australian Taxation Office on the student’s behalf.
Scholarship funds are unable to be released until DEECD receives all required documentation. Scholarships
will be reallocated to other students if the required documentation is not received by the due date.
To apply
Email completed application form to:
mch@edumail.vic.gov.au
SUBJECT: MCH Nursing Postgraduate Scholarships for 2015
Closing date for applications: Wednesday 29th October 2014, 5pm
Contact
Abi Sambasivam
Senior Policy Adviser
Nursing Services
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
GPO Box 4367
MELBOURNE VIC 3001
Ph:
03 9651 3395
Email: sambasivam.abi.a@edumail.vic.gov.au
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