From 30 September 2024 to 31 March 2025, midwives relocating from metro NSW or interstate to rural and remote NSW will receive a $20,000 sign-on bonus.

As part of the Rural Health Workforce Incentive Scheme, the midwifery sign-on bonus is offered to experienced midwives working in metro NSW or interstate who are looking to relocate to rural or remote NSW. This sign-on bonus aims to attract and recruit midwives to these locations in NSW.

Midwives who start work with NSW Health in these locations will receive a $20,000 flat-rate sign-on bonus under the NSW Rural Health Workforce Incentive Scheme (RHWIS) and help deliver outcomes that matter most to our NSW community.

The midwifery sign-on bonus is open to registered midwives starting work with NSW Health in a Commonwealth Government Modified Monash Model (MM) level 3 to level 7 location.

Inclusions and eligibility for the scheme are:

Midwives moving from work in an NSW MM1 and MM2 location to work in an NSW MM3 to MM7 location (inclusive)

Midwives moving from interstate to work in an NSW MM3 to MM7 location (inclusive)

Eligible midwife classifications include Registered Midwives Year 2 to Year 8 and thereafter, Clinical Midwife Specialists, Clinical Midwife Educators, Clinical Midwife Consultants, Midwifery Unit Manager, and Midwife Managers. Midwives who are already working in NSW MM3 to MM7 locations are not included for this scheme.

What are the terms and conditions?

In order to receive the sign-on bonus, you must relocate and start work with NSW Health in an eligible location and position according to the above criteria.

The $20,000 sign-on bonus is based on a full time equivalent health worker's hours (average of 38 hours per week across a year).

For employees who don't work full time, this amount is pro-rata'd to your contracted hours or ordinary working hours.

You must commit to working for 18 months in that position with NSW Health

If you were to leave before the 18-month commitment, then you would have to repay a percentage of the sign-on bonus relative to your time served

How is the sign-on bonus paid?

Once you start work with NSW Health as a midwife in an eligible location and position, your sign-on bonus will be paid as a lump sum through your payroll.

The sign-on bonus is paid to you because of your employment with NSW Health and is subject to PAYG withholding.

You may also be eligible for other incentives and benefits under the Rural Health Workforce Incentive Scheme after your first 12 months of service. The value of your incentive package will depend on the MM classification of your location and the vacancy classification of your position. You can find out more about incentives and benefits offered to you at Rural Health Workforce Incentive Scheme.