Grants, award and prizes

Are you undertaking post-registration/postgraduate study in nursing or midwifery in Victoria?

In 2018 the ANMF (Vic Branch) Council introduced new financial grants for members - registered and enrolled nurses and midwives - undertaking post registration/postgraduate (certificate/diploma) education. 

Grants provide up to 80 per cent of the tuition costs incurred by eligible ANMF members. Since the launch, ANMF has distributed $2.6 million in education grants to members, who met the criteria and will use the funds to undertake specialist education in areas of great clinical need.  

In 2021-22, preference will be given to applications from registered and enrolled nurse and midwife members undertaking post registration/postgraduate (cert/diploma) studies in the following specialties/areas of practice:

Graduate certificate:

1. perioperative or perianaesthesia nursing
2. palliative care nursing
3. renal nursing
4. critical care nursing
   (intensive care unit/emergency/neonatal intensive care unit)
5. addictive behaviours
6. aged care

Graduate diploma:

1. postgraduate midwifery
2. mental health nursing
3. maternal and child health

Enrolled nurses:

1. Advanced Diploma in Nursing/Mental Health
2. Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs

Applications open Monday 17 January 2022 and close Thursday 31 March 2022

Please note: due to the volume of applications received any missing information requested will not be followed up and the application will deemed incomplete.

Use of the grant
The ANMF (Vic Branch) Nursing and Midwifery Fee Grant will be considered on the basis of a shared-cost partnership agreement between the successful recipient and ANMF (Vic Branch). The Fee Grant will ordinarily be by way of a reimbursement of up to eighty per cent of the core course fee costs. The grant allocation will be limited to the cost of tuition/course fees only and will not include costs related to computers, accommodation, late enrolment fees, textbook, student services fees and other incidentals.

Eligibility criteria
Applicants must:

1. Be a financial member of the ANMF (Vic Branch) for at least 24 continuous months at the time of application*

2. Continue to be a financial member of the ANMF (Vic Branch) during the course

3. Fully complete and submit the ANMF (Vic Branch) Course Fee Application Form (including provision of the written outline about how the course will contribute to your practice)

4. Attach to the application form legible copies of:

a) allocation of a place within the course 

b) the Course Enrolment Guide (including name of the course, details of the subjects/units enrolled in during the 21-22 financial year, mode of delivery e.g. face-to-face or online, course provider information)

c) university tuition fees invoice issued from course provided for subjects undertaken between 1 July 2021 and 30 June 2022.

d) cost of course

e) Confirmation of Enrolment for each subject/unit

f) Commonwealth supported place (CSP) statement of account if you have one

g) receipt of payment/proof of payment(s)/or copy of HECS/FEE HELP statement if you have one**

h) declare all grants including the amount/s received from any sources for the study e.g. DHHS, employer or other scholarship

5. Be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA)

6. Be working in Victoria.

* Unless extraordinary circumstances can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the ANMF (Vic Branch) Council. Student membership is considered part of the 24 continuous months.

** This provision is not intended to limit applications from ANMF (Vic Branch) members who may be experiencing significant financial hardship. In such circumstances, members are encouraged to seek ‘approval in advance’ ensuring that they provide evidence of the hardship to this application for the consideration of the ANMF (Vic Branch) Council Course Fee Grant Subcommittee (CFGS).

Privacy
The ANMF (Vic Branch) is obliged by law to provide to the Registered Organisations Commission the names of any members to whom a grant is made and to publish the names of grant recipients in our Annual Report.

Taxation
The ANMF (Vic Branch) does not and will not provide advice on the tax implications, if any, on the provision of a grant to a successful recipient.

Reporting
Successful applicants must provide to the ANMF (Vic Branch) Council Course Fee Grant Subcommittee copies of unit results within two weeks of them being available from the education provider at the end of each study semester.

Notification of grants
Where the ANMF (Vic Branch) Council Course Fee Grant Subcommittee approves an application for a grant, the ANMF (Vic Branch) will advise the applicant in writing of that approval. Successful applicants will be provided a letter of approval in principle. These members will be responsible for returning a signed copy of acceptance within the stated time-frame, acknowledging and accepting terms and conditions. The ANMF (Vic Branch) Council Course Fee Grant Subcommittee decision in awarding fee grants is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

Payment of grants
Payment of approved fees to successful applicants will be by way of reimbursement on a per subject per semester basis over the financial year from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022.  

Payment will be made the week commencing 21 June 2022. 

Validation of the grant
The ANMF (Vic Branch) may terminate a grant, if in the opinion of the ANMF (Vic Branch) this is warranted. The recipient may be required to reimburse the ANMF (Vic Branch) for the grant payment where it is evidenced that:

1. The recipient does not complete and/or has no intention of completing the course for which the grant was awarded; for example the recipient withdraws or defers the course without the approval of the ANMF (Vic Branch) Course Fee Grant Subcommittee.

2. Rescinding ANMF membership or non-payment of ANMF membership fees during the period in which the postgraduate course of the studies or unit/s of study is being undertaken.

Inquiries

Please email grants@anmfvic.asn.au with inquiries with 'ANMF fee grant application' in the subject line.

The ANMF (Vic Branch) awards $1000 to an HSR elected under the OHS Act 2004 who has demonstrated an outstanding achievement and commitment to the ANMF (Vic Branch) and to the members in their workplace, such as

• protection of Nurses and midwives from workplace injuries and illness
• leadership and innovation in workplace OHS
• resolution of workplace OHS issues or disputes
• achievements in representation and consultation.

The nomination period is from Monday 3 January to Friday 27 May 2022.

The successful Job Representative will be selected by a panel comprising the ANMF (Vic Branch) President, Secretary and Assistant Secretaries. The award will be presented at the Annual Delegates Conference on Thursday 30 June and Friday 1 July 2022.

Nominations close on Friday 27 May 2022.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples can apply for sponsorship to complete either a Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety or a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, delivered by the ANMF (Vic Branch) Education Centre.

HESTA will provide funding to cover fees for two students for courses commencing in 2021. This initiative is part of HESTA’s long-standing association with the ANMF (Vic Branch).

The sponsorships recognise the need to improve opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, to reach their full potential working in the health and community sector.

Who can apply

HESTA education sponsorships are for healthcare/personal care workers who are:

• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
• Wanting to complete either a BSB41419 Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety or TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training and offered through the ANMF (Vic Branch) Education Centre (RTO # 22609)
• Meet entry requirements for the relevant course.

Sponsorship selection process

Selection will be based on the information provided in the application as determined by a selection panel. In addition to the course application information, applicants are required to complete a statement (of approximately 250 words – see below) to demonstrate commitment to applying the skills gained to benefit the health and community sector and/or for the applicant’s community.

Certificate IV in Training and Assessment enrolment statement

Provide a short statement (about 250 words) demonstrating your commitment to training in the vocational education field.  Please include any current roles, e.g. training and support within an Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander community, or anything else that you feel may strengthen your application. Apply now.

This annual $4000 ANMF (Vic Branch) Humanitarian Grant will assist overseas nurses who enter Australia as refugees to gain their registration with the NMBA (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia).

This grant was established following a request to assist a young Sudanese refugee enrolled in a Victorian undergraduate nursing program.

Further investigation revealed a number of refugees in Australia, who were also nurses, and required assistance to practice. ANMF (Vic Branch) believes it is important to support nurses who are refugees from other countries and to assist them to continue to practice nursing in Victoria and earn a living for themselves and their families.

The $4000 ANMF Humanitarian Grant will be available each year and funds will be allocated to applicants who:

• have a nursing qualification
• have received or are in the process of obtaining Australian refugee status
• undertake a pre-registration or supervised practice program in order to gain registration with the NMBA 
• provide confirmation of acceptance in education programs and details of associated costs.

Contact ANMF (Vic Branch) Professional Officer Mark Staaf at records@anmfvic.asn.au

This grant is available for Masters and PhD students.

The research proposal must be of clinical nursing significance and completed within two years of the application closing date. The proposal must already have approval by your university ethics committee and your research supervisor.

Applications closed Tuesday 31 August 2021. 

Contact ANMF (Vic Branch) Professional Officer Mark Staaf at records@anmfvic.asn.au

ANMF (Vic Branch) awards an annual prize to an outstanding final year nursing student from every Victorian university and TAFE.

Recipients of this prize display excellence in nursing theory and clinical practice and are nominated by their institution.

These awards are announced at the ANMF (Vic Branch) Annual General Meeting in December or at the individual university or TAFE's award presentation ceremony.

Contact the ANMF (Vic Branch) Graduate and Final Year Officer at records@anmfvic.asn.au

ANMF (Vic Branch) is strongly committed to nurses and midwives attending and participating in conferences relevant to their professional practice.

Full-time and part-time ANMF members, who have been a financial member for at least 12 months, are eligible to apply for financial assistance to attend a Victorian, interstate or international conference. Criteria apply.

Contact Vanessa Standfield at records@anmfvic.asn.au

This annual grant supports an ANMF (Vic Branch) Special Interest Group or member undertaking clinical nursing research or higher education study.

The clinical project or higher education study must:

1. have the endorsement of your ANMF (Victorian Branch) Special Interest Group
2. be relevant to clinical nursing practice be transferable across workplace settings.

Applications close Tuesday 31 August 2021.

Contact ANMF (Vic Branch) Professional Officer Mark Staaf at records@anmfvic.asn.au

Every year, the ANMF (Vic Branch) awards $1000 to a Hannah Sellers Job Rep of the Year.

This award is for Job Reps in Victoria who demonstrate outstanding commitment to the ANMF and to ANMF members in their workplace.

Achievements may comprise recruitment, dispute resolution or any other exceptional initiative that improves their colleagues' wages, employment conditions or ability to provide high quality care.

The nomination period is from Monday 3 January to Friday 27 May 2022.

The successful Job Representative will be selected by a panel comprising the ANMF (Vic Branch) President, Secretary and Assistant Secretaries. The award will be presented at the Annual Delegates Conference on Thursday 30 June and Friday 1 July 2022.

Nominations close on Friday 27 May 2022.

The Vi Elliott Occupational Health Nurses Trust makes up to $3000 available annually for:

1. Victorian nurses involved in or moving into the field of Occupational Health Nursing or Occupational Health and Safety to undertake professional development.
2. Victorian education institutions involved in the education of nurses in the fields of Occupational Health Nursing or Occupational Health and Safety

The grant is available for use to attend conferences, seminars, workshops, to undertake an education course or a research project in this field.

Applications closed on Friday 27 August 2021

Contact ANMF (Vic Branch) Professional Officer Mark Staaf at records@anmfvic.asn.au

Expand your specialist knowledge and professional skills in alcohol and other drugs

The Victorian Department of Health is offering scholarships valued at approximately $9000 for nurses and midwives, working in the Victorian health system, to complete a graduate certificate in addictive behaviours in 2022. 

This course is online and is facilitated by Turning Point staff in conjunction with Monash University.

The Graduate Certificate of Addictive Behaviours provides foundational knowledge and skills to recognise and respond to substance use disorders and other addictive behaviours.

The first semester unit you will explore models and theories of addiction, examine research evidence to strengthen your understanding of how this informs contemporary policy and public health responses within a harm minimisation framework.

The second semester unit, develops practice-relevant skills in identifying, screening and assessment for addictive behaviours, providing brief interventions and referrals for treatment within the context of AOD treatment systems. A particular emphasis will be placed on developing communication, client engagement, professional practice, and interpersonal skills important for all AOD, health and community service practitioners.

The scholarships cover about 80 per cent of tuition/course fees. The applicant is expected to cover students’ fees, and other course-related costs, such as computers, textbooks and other incidentals.

Expressions of interest have been extended and will close 11.59pm, Wednesday 22 December 2021.

Scholarship information

The scholarship is valued at approximately $9000 per person and will be limited to approximately 80 per cent of the cost of tuition/course fees only. The applicant will be responsible for the balance which includes student fees, any costs related to computers, late enrolment fees, textbook, student services fees and other incidentals.

The expected cost to the applicant is approximately $4000 ($2000 per semester) to complete the Graduate Certificate of Addictive Behaviours in 2022.

Enrolled students may be eligible for a FEE-HELP loan to pay the outstanding tuition fees. For more information about FEE-HELP loans, please contact Monash University directly or Fee HELP

Eligibility

Where relevant, priority will be given to those who have not previously received a scholarship from the Department of Health. Please note: this scholarship was previously advertised with some errors in the eligibility criteria - applicants do not need to work in a Department of Health funded AOD agency nor do they have to have two years experience in AOD.

Applicants must meet all of the following conditions:

1. submit a curriculum vitae and a 500-word statement of purpose outlining reasons for undertaking the course. This should include your academic and professional interests, how you’ll believe you add value to the graduate program and why you believe you should be awarded a scholarship.
   
   
2. be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident and reside in Victoria
   
   
3. intend to enroll in the Graduate Certificate of Addictive Behaviours for completion in 2022
   
   
4. be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) as a nurse or midwife and attach a copy of the registration(s)
   
   
5. must hold an Australian undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a cognate discipline* with at least a pass average
   
   
6. must be eligible and meet the criteria for enrolment into M4018 Graduate Certificate of Addictive Behaviours Course 2022.
   
   

*Cognate disciplines include medicine, psychology, nursing, health science, occupational therapy, social work, social and community welfare, science, policy, law, criminology, research, teaching, arts (multidisciplinary), and other health and social sciences.

Selection

1. A selection panel consisting of representatives from ANMF and Turning Point and an industry expert will review all expressions of interest. Selection will be based on meeting the eligibility criteria for the course as well as reviewing the statement of purpose and occupational and academic achievements.
   
   
2. The panel will ensure that the allocation of scholarships is fairly distributed across the Victorian AOD sector.
   
   
3. Priority will be given to those in a clinical role.
   
   
4. Priority will be given to those who have not previously received a scholarship from the Department of Health for this course.
   
   
5. Applicants must commit to completing the course in 2022 and paying any outstanding fee to Monash University.
   
   

Payment of scholarship

The ANMF (Vic Branch) is funded and will pay the approved scholarship amount directly to Monash University with applicants fully responsible for other fees linked to the course of study.

The ANMF (Vic Branch) may terminate a scholarship, if in the opinion of ANMF (Vic Branch) this is warranted. The recipient may be required to reimburse ANMF (Vic Branch) for the scholarship where it is evidenced that:

• The recipient does not complete and/or has no intention of completing the course, for which the scholarship was awarded, in 2022; for example, the recipient withdraws or defers the course without prior approval of ANMF (Vic Branch), which will not unreasonably be withheld.

Scholarship expression of interest

Please complete the online scholarship expression of interest form which will require you to attach your 500-word statement of purpose, curriculum vitae and registration certificate.

For further inquiries contact Katrina Densley via records@anmfvic.asn.au

Scholarship expressions of interest close 11.59pm, Wednesday 22 December 2021.