Apply for a nursing and midwifery scholarship
If you are a nurse or midwife in the ACT you can apply for the following scholarships:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Enrolled Nursing Scholarships
- Nursing and Midwifery Scholarship Scheme
- Maternity in Focus Workforce Scholarship Scheme
- University of Canberra Graduate Certificate Scholarships
The ACT Government is also offering financial support for students through the Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Study Incentive Program.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Enrolled Nurse Scholarships
The Office of the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, Health and Community Services Directorate, in partnership with the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT), offers 2 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Enrolled Nurse Scholarships each year. These scholarships support students to complete a Diploma of Nursing.
This scholarship is offered under the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) National Partnership Agreement on Closing the Gap on Indigenous Health Outcomes.
Application dates
Applications are open.
More information and eligibility
More information and details about eligibility requirements are available in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Enrolled Nurse Scholarship Guidelines.
How to apply
- Prepare your supporting documents:
- Letter of offer into the Diploma of Nursing at CIT.
- Confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin (if available). Options may include a confirmation of Aboriginality Certificate, Letter of confirmation by an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation or Land Council, Letter of reference from a First Nations Elder.
- Reference/recommendation form completed by someone you have worked with or a teacher within the last 12 months. This cannot be completed by a relative.
- Follow the instructions to complete the application form.
Nursing and Midwifery Scholarship Scheme
Outcomes will be emailed to applicants between April and May 2026.
About the Scheme
This Scheme provides financial support for education and training that:
- enhances nursing and midwifery skills
- strengthens clinical practice
- addresses priority workforce needs.
Application dates
Applications are accepted once per year during the scheduled application period, which typically opens in October and closes in December.
Scholarships are awarded for eligible courses commenced and completed within the relevant scholarship year.
For example, the October–December 2026 application period will apply to study commenced and completed between 1 January 2026 and 31 December 2026.
Who can apply?
All nurses and midwives registered to practice and employed in the ACT for a least 6 months. You must be registered to practice in the ACT with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. Agency-only employment is not eligible.
What is funded?
Reimbursement towards tuition, enrolment or registration costs for eligible courses or units of study commenced and successfully completed within the relevant scholarship year (1 January - 31 December).
Funding is subject to budget availability.
More information and eligibility
More information and details about eligibility requirements are available in the Nursing and Midwifery Scholarship Scheme Guidelines.
Maternity in Focus Workforce Scholarship Scheme
This scheme supports nurses, midwives, doctors and other eligible health professionals working in maternity care in the ACT.
It provides funding for postgraduate and professional development courses as well as workshops and conferences in priority areas.
You can get reimbursement for a course you’ve completed or planned for this financial year.
For more information, visit the Maternity in Focus page.
Application dates
Applications are closed.
University of Canberra scholarships
The University of Canberra offers a scholarship to contribute to the cost of a Graduate Certificate program of study for staff employed in allied health, nursing and midwifery at the Health and Community Services Directorate or Canberra Health Services.
This program is facilitated by the Health and Community Services Directorate, Office of Professional Leadership, in partnership with the University of Canberra.
Read the University of Canberra Scholarship page for more information.
Study support
If you work for the Health and Community Services Directorate or Canberra Health Services, you must complete the ACT public service studies assistance application for approval as a student. You may be eligible for work area supported study leave.
University places subsidised by the Australian Government
Domestic students undertaking a graduate certificate program of study may have access to Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs).
Application dates
Applications are closed. Applications for scholarships to study in 2027 will open in late 2026.
More information
Contact the Office of the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Scholarships Team: N-MScholarships@act.gov.au.