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.
For further information visit: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/workforce/alliedhealth/Pages/professions.aspx
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."
Quotes attributable to Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley:
"The Hunter is a fantastic place to work and live and it's great to see this program is having a real impact on encouraging more healthcare workers and young people to consider a career here.
"Everyone deserves accessible, quality healthcare and only the NSW Labor Government is delivering this."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty:
"We support the Rural Allied Health Educator Program through funding these important regional allied health workforces.
"Getting essential workers into regional NSW is a major focus of the Government and this program plays a role in that plan.
"The students also have the opportunity to participate in The Welcome Experience while on placement.
"The Welcome Experience is a service which provides essential workers the support they need to make the move into live and work in regional communities by assisting them to get to know the local area and people first."
Quotes attributable to Allied Health Educator, Patricia Webb:
"The Rural Allied Health Educator Pilot Program is making a real difference in the Hunter New England region.
"The increase in student placements and the positive feedback from staff and students is incredibly encouraging. We are working hard to create opportunities for students to pursue allied health careers and develop our rural the workforce pipeline."
Quotes attributable to Allied Health Student, Omara De Carlos:
"My placement at Tamworth Hospital last year opened my eyes to the unique rewards of working in a rural community.
"I gained practical skills and confidence in speech pathology, and I received incredible support from the allied health educators. I'm excited to apply what I've learned at Gunnedah Community Health."
