Grants, award and prizes

Apply for an ANMF course-fee grant!

ANMF provides financial assistance for eligible members studying post-registration or postgraduate nursing or midwifery education to advance their career and to improve direct clinical care.

Successful applicants will receive up to $3000 per semester. Grants are available for study undertaken in 2024 and Semester 2, 2023.

Preference will be given to the following specialities and areas of practice:

• perioperative or peri anaesthesia nursing
• palliative care nursing
• renal nursing
• critical care nursing (ICU/emergency/neonatal ICU)
• aged care
• postgraduate midwifery
• mental health nursing

Other specialities and areas of practice will also be considered.

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. be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA)
4. be working in Victoria
5. be enrolled in a post-registration or postgraduate (e.g. graduate certificate/graduate diploma/masters) nursing or midwifery course during semester 2 in 2023 and/or semester 1 and/or 2 in 2024.
   
   

Applications closed on Friday 16 August 2024. 

2024 ANMF Fee Grants frequently asked questions

ANMF (Vic Branch) course-fee grants have changed.

Since 2018 the Branch has offered financial help, via course-fee grants, to members completing  post-registration or postgraduate nursing or midwifery education. In that time, we’ve given about $4.5 million to more than 1500 members undertaking study to advance their careers.

With an increase in government scholarships for postgraduate nurses and midwives completing studies in speciality areas, the Branch has updated the way our course-fee grants are allocated – specifically the timing in which applications must be submitted.

Why have application dates changed?

We’ve moved the application dates to mid-year to align with university intake. Additionally, it allows us extra time to implement our new application management software which will help us streamline the growing volume of applications we receive.

Will I still be able to apply for my semester 2 2023 studies?

Yes. As this is our transition year, you’ll be able to apply for studies undertaken in semester 2 2023, semester 1 and 2 2024. 

From 2025 onwards, members would apply for courses enrolled within that calendar year (e.g. semester 1 and 2 2025 in the 2025 round, etc).  

Why are grants now capped at $3000?

Since the grants began, ANMF has invested $4.5 million to support members in their post-graduate/registration studies, and demand is growing. To ensure equitable fairness, ANMF Branch Council has decided to cap the grants to $3000. Therefore, members will receive up to $3000 if their application is successful.

Will Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) be included in the calculations of how much fee grant will be allocated?

Yes.

Can I apply for other nursing/midwifery courses that aren’t in the preferred studies list?

Yes. While preference will be given to members undertaking study in areas of demand, you can apply for other nursing/midwifery courses except for Bachelor of Nursing. Fee grants are for postgraduate or post-registration studies. 

How many times can I apply for a fee grant?

There are no limits. If you fulfil the criteria, you can apply every year even if you've received a grant for the same course.

Will government scholarships and other scholarships be taken into consideration when applying? 

Yes. You must declare other funding and provide documentation.

Why do I have to provide a confirmation letter from the employer regarding clinical placement?

Many university courses are now distance learning. ANMF believes that clinical placement and clinical mentoring/education is a mandatory component and therefore we require documentation from your employer confirming that your applicable placement and supports are in place.   

Can I apply for travel and accommodation costs associated with study?

No. 

Can I still apply if I’ve not been an ANMF (Vic Branch) member for two years?

No. However if you may be considered if you have evidence that you’ve been an interstate ANMF member or a member of an overseas ANMF equivalent (i.e a nursing/midwifery union).

Why do members of only two years get the same amount as long-standing members?

This is a final decision approved by Branch Council. 

When do applications open?

Applications closed Friday 16 August 2024.

When will I be notified if I’m successful?

We anticipate applicants will be notified by 30 October 2024, however if this is extended, you’ll be emailed the revised date. 

When will I receive my fee grant?

Proposed payment time is mid-November 2024 after members supply their correct bank details via our secure portal. Members will be notified if this date is extended.

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

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

Recipients of this prize display excellence in nursing and/or midwifery 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, midwives and carers attending and participating in conferences relevant to their professional practice.
These conferences may be within Victoria, interstate or international.

We ask that members read the information below prior to completing an application to ensure they meet, and are aware of, the grant guidelines.

• Full or part-time financial members for one year are eligible to apply.
• Preference will be given to application for monies to attend a conference related to the member’s area of clinical practice.
• The ANMF (Vic Branch) conference grant is a contribution towards the conference attendance and in most instances will not meet the full amount requested. 
• ANMF (Vic Branch) reserves the right to award monies outside of the application guidelines based on special circumstances that may arise from time to time.
• Each application form sent to a member will have the guidelines attached.
• No retrospective monies will be awarded.
• No monies are to be granted to a member who has received assistance within the previous two years of the current application.
• All applicants will be notified in writing regarding the Secretary’s decision.
• There is no avenue of appeal for unsuccessful applications.
• ANMF (Vic Branch) will keep a record of recipients.
• Recipients are to provide a copy of conference proceedings for ANMF (Vic Branch) Library for the benefit of all members.
• Recipients are to write a short report for possible publication in ANMJ or On The Record.

For further information contact: vstandfield@anmfvic.asn.au

How to apply: Log in with your member number and password and complete the online application form. Link below.

This grant is available for Masters and PhD students.

The $10,000 higher education and research grant is available to members undertaking university higher degree study at PhD or Masters level by research (this grant is not available to those undertaking a Masters by coursework).

Applications for this grant must include:

1. detail of the research proposal
2. the clinical significance of the research to nursing/midwifery practice.

Applicants’ proposals must already have approval by your university ethics committee and your research supervisor. Your research must also be completed within two years of the application closing date.

Applications are closed.

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

Every year, the ANMF (Vic Branch) awards $1500 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 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 27 June and Friday 28 June 2024.

Nominations have closed for 2024.

The ANMF (Vic Branch) awards $1500 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:

• representing members of their designated work group, concerning health or safety matters
• monitoring, raising, or addressing the OHS measures taken by their employer
• enquiring into risks to the health and safety of members of the DWG or others
• attempting to resolve health or safety issues.

The successful HSR will be selected by a panel comprising the ANMF (Vic Branch) Secretary and OHS Unit Co-ordinator, against the criteria provided. The award will be presented at the Annual Delegates Conference on Thursday 27 June and Friday 28 June 2024.

Nominations have closed for 2024.

The Vi Elliott Occupational Health Nurses Trust provides an annual grant up to the value of $3000 to assist the professional and career development of a nurse or midwife employed in Victoria.

This grant is available for the recipient to use to attend conferences, seminars or workshops, or to undertake an education course or a research project in the field of health and safety.

Applicants for this grant must fall into a category below:

1. a Victorian nurse or midwife involved in or transitioning their nursing or midwifery practice into the field of occupational health or occupational health and safety; or
2. a Victorian nurse or midwife undertaking nursing or midwifery education in the fields of occupational health, occupational health and safety, occupational violence and aggression – prevention and/or management, safe patient handling, or fatigue management; or
3. a Victorian education provider involved in the education of nurses in the fields of occupational health nursing, occupational health and safety.

Applications are closed.

For further information contact ANMF (Vic Branch) Professional Officer Mark Staaf at records@anmfvic.asn.au

The Victorian Department of Health is offering scholarships for Victorian nurses and midwives to undertake the Graduate Certificate of Addictive Behaviours in 2025.

As part of an ongoing ANMF (Vic Branch) and Turning Point project, the Victorian Department of Health is offering scholarships valued at approximately $10,000 for nurses and midwives, working in the Victorian health system, to complete a Graduate Certificate in Addictive Behaviours in 2025.

This online course 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.

In first semester students will explore models and theories of addiction, examine research evidence and strengthen their 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 of 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.

Expressions of interest open Wednesday 4 September and close 5pm, Friday 25 October 2024.

Scholarship information

The scholarship is valued at approximately $10,000 per person. 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 $5000 ($2500 per semester) to complete the Graduate Certificate of Addictive Behaviours in 2025.

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

Applicants must meet all the following conditions:

1. submit both 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 believe you will 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 enrol in the Graduate Certificate of Addictive Behaviours for completion in 2025
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 be eligible and meet the criteria for enrolment into M4018 Graduate Certificate of Addictive Behaviours Course 2025.

Selection

1. A selection panel consisting of representatives from ANMF, 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 who have not previously received a scholarship from the Department of Health for this course.
4. Applicants must commit to completing the course in 2025 and paying any outstanding fees 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 in 2025, for which the scholarship was awarded. 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 ANMF Industrial Professional Assistant Sue Vaswani via records@anmfvic.asn.au

Scholarship expressions of interest close 5pm, Friday 25 October 2023

Confirmation of scholarships

All applicants will be notified in writing via email and are encouraged to apply to Monash University as soon as possible, however, no later than COB Wednesday 15 January 2024. Successful applicants need to apply, be accepted and submit the following documents:

• Copy of Academic Transcript (graded) with evidence of completion
• Proof of Citizenship/Residency or ID – Australian Passport OR Birth Certificate OR Australian Citizenship Certificate OR Permanent Resident Visa Notification