Applications are now open for the latest round of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Workforce Scholarship Program for registered nurses specialising – or wanting to specialise – in the mental health or alcohol and other drugs (AOD) sector.
There are 300 scholarships and grants available, offering:
- up to $13,000 in financial support for postgraduate studies in AOD-related courses
- full-fee coverage of postgraduate mental health nursing studies
- or up to $3,000 towards postgraduate education.
The scholarships are part of the state government’s response to the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System – specifically, Recommendation 7, which outlines educational and recruitment strategies to address workforce shortages.
Since 2021, more than 1,700 workers have benefitted from the program, which is a key initiative under Victoria’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Workforce Strategy 2021–2024.
Scholarships available include:
AOD postgraduate scholarship
Twenty scholarships are available to support eligible AOD practitioners to undertake postgraduate studies in semester 2, 2025 and semester 1, 2026.
The scholarships, worth up to $13,000, support AOD workers to better provide integrated treatment, care and support to people living with mental health challenges and/or substance use.
Recipients can use the scholarship for any postgraduate qualification level (including graduate certificate, graduate diploma, master or doctorate) and courses that support the development of their mental health or AOD practice.
Applications close 4pm, 19 November 2025
Full course fee postgraduate mental health nurse scholarship
There are 140 full course-fee postgraduate mental health nurse scholarships available to RNs employed (or commencing employment) in Victorian public mental health services.
This round of scholarships is offered for students enrolled in eligible programs (either a graduate diploma or a master of mental health nursing) in Semester 2, 2025 and Semester 1, 2026.
Applications close 4pm, 17 December 2025.
$3000 postgraduate mental health nurse scholarship
The Department of Health funds 117 annual postgraduate mental health nursing scholarships to support nurses employed (or commencing employment) in Victorian public mental health services with postgraduate study. Each scholarship is worth up to $3,000.
These scholarships can contribute towards the cost of undertaking postgraduate studies including:
- tuition fees, student contributions
- study loans (including HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP)
- books and equipment
- travel required to attend lectures and clinical placements
- childcare
- other related study costs.
This round of scholarships is offered for students enrolled in eligible programs in Semester 2, 2025 and Semester 1, 2026.
Applications close 4pm, 17 December 2025.
