The Rural Allied Health Educator Pilot Program, a joint venture between NSW Health and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), is building a pipeline of allied health clinicians in rural, regional and remote communities, by boosting the number of student placements in Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD).
A cohort of 50 university students and early career clinicians have been supported since the introduction of the Rural Allied Health Educator Pilot Program in HNELHD.
Allied health educators have also established a Year 10 Rural Allied Health Work Experience initiative, providing local high school students with hands-on exposure to careers in allied health. So far, 89 students from the New England region have participated.
The program is enticing allied health students to stay and take up full time roles in rural, regional and remote locations.
A survey of participating university students found before commencing placement, only 56.2 per cent were interested in working for NSW Health in a rural area as a graduate.
Following completion of placement, 85 per cent were more interested in working for NSW Health in a rural area as an allied health graduate and 95 per cent of students were satisfied with their placement experience and would recommend a rural placement to other students.
Allied health clinical placements typically take 4-6 weeks and give students experience across various clinical areas relevant to their profession.
Allied health educators supervise students directly and work with universities to coordinate placements.
Omara De Carlos completed her final adult clinical placement at Tamworth Hospital in September 2024, where she gained valuable experience in speech pathology and rural practice, prompting her to apply for a permanent role in HNELHD.
In February 2025, Omara started at Gunnedah Community Health as a generalist speech pathologist; a position which had been vacant for more than two years. Omara, along with other speech pathology and occupational therapy early career clinicians, will continue to be supported by the district’s rural allied health educators as they progress their careers.
The $1 million Rural Allied Health Educator Pilot Program is a joint venture between NSW Health and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, operating across Hunter New England, Western NSW, Far West, Murrumbidgee, and Southern NSW Local Health Districts.
DPIRD has invested $1 million per year over three years into the Rural Allied Health Educator Pilot Program.
Quotes attributable to Regional Health Minister Ryan Park:
“Staffing is one of the most critical issues we face in the healthcare system, and in regional, rural and remote locations that problem is amplified.
“I am really proud a program like this is having great results at encouraging students to take up a rewarding role in the bush.
“The Minns Labor Government is committed to boosting our allied health workforce by increasing training and education pathways for students in rural and regional NSW.”
Media Release: Minister for the Hunter, Minister for Regional Health, Minister for Regional NSW Ryan Park
