Frequently Asked Questions
Why are GPs and nurses not eligible for CPD funding under RHCE2?
GPs (including those trained overseas who have met the requirements of the approved pathway for practice in Australia), nurses and midwives are eligible for support under RHCE2 to attend inter-professional learning and orientation programs.
NOTE: Because GPs, nurses and midwives have access to support for CPD from a range of other sources, they may participate in CPD training developed under the RHCE2 program, but the cost of their participation must not be met by RHCE2 funds.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and allied health professionals will be eligible for funding for all activities under the program.
If my organisation offered a Basic Life Support course to Aboriginal Health Workers, aged care workers and allied health staff, could we also include Enrolled Nurses if CPD points were not awarded to them?
Yes, enrolled nurses would be welcome to attend the inter-professional learning even if CPD points were not involved. However, Enrolled Nurse's costs of participation must not be met with RHCE2 funds.
Am I able to submit multiple applications in each funding round?
Due to limited funding, multiple applications will be accepted but given the strongly competitive nature of the grants, no single entity will receive more than one grant.
If I am developing a program, do I have to apply for the full amount specified in the guidelines?
No, the assessment panel will review your proposal and decide if your budget will realistically achieve your objectives and outcomes. In 2012 there are 3 funding levels up to $6,000, up to $40,000 and up to $60,000 (or more in exceptional circumstances).
What is ‘exceptional circumstances’ for funding outside the maximum amount?
In 2012, the Independent Assessment Panel will have the ability to consider funding applications for larger (possibly national) projects which meet all the aims and objectives of RHCE2 and which require more than $60,000 to achieve their aims objectives and outcomes. These projects must have sustainability and transferability and be able to be delivered and finalised before 30 April 2013.
What is inter-professional learning?
Inter-professional learning involves learners from two or more health professions and their foundational disciplines participating jointly in activities in a collaborative learning environment. The goal of these efforts is to develop knowledge, skills and attitudes that result in inter-professional team behaviours and competence. Ideally, inter-professional learning is based on a multi-disciplinary curriculum that is vertically and horizontally integrated. Such learning lays the basis for health professionals to work collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary/ inter-disciplinary team in a range of health care settings.
What is multidisciplinary training?
Multi-disciplinary training involves people of different professions studying and learning together in a given activity.
What is Continuing Professional Education (CPE)?
Continuing Professional Education (CPE) is the means by which members of professional associations maintain, improve and broaden their knowledge and skills and develop the personal qualities required in their professional lives.
What is CPD?
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is an activity to support postgraduate study and up-skilling of individual health professionals to enable them to reach or maintain the level of competence required to be registered to work as a health professional in a specified field. The Australian Government funded Nursing and Allied Health Scholarships and Support Services (NAHSSS) program supports the postgraduate study and continuing professional development for nurses and allied health professionals.
What programs support backfilling arrangements for staff attending CPD?
The Nursing and Allied Health Rural Locum Scheme (NAHRLS) provides support for nurses, midwives and allied health professionals in rural and remote Australia to get away to do professional development training they need to continue to do their work. http://www.nahrls.com.au/about-nahrls/.
What is the remoteness classification of my area?
Eligibility for RHCE2 is based on the Australian Standard Geographic Classification – Remoteness Areas system (ASGC-RA). The program is open to those who live and work in areas classified ASGC-RA 2, 3, 4 and 5 with priority given to RA3 to 5. Check the doctorconnect website to see if you are eligible:
http://www.doctorconnect.gov.au/internet/otd/Publishing.nsf/Content/Locator
The professional development course I am seeking funding for is run before funding decisions are announced in March 2012. Are retrospective payments possible?
No. Retrospective payments for activities already undertaken cannot be made.
Are educators and researchers eligible for RHCE2 funding?
No, only allied health professionals, General Practitioners, nurses and midwives, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers practising in rural and remote areas of Australia are eligible. However, tertiary educators and researchers can be part of the project team developing and delivering relevant elements of the project e.g. data collection, surveys, evidence based research, evaluation of project activities and outcomes.
Is RHCE2 funding available for an individual’s nursing and allied health undergraduate or post graduate study?
Yes, funding is available for individuals. However, as funding is limited in this program priority will be given to groups of individuals and organisations in order to achieve best value for money. In Round 3, the focus is on providing funding to groups of individuals and organisations to access, develop and/or deliver CPD, CPE or IPL that assists with up-skilling/re-skilling of the rural and remote health workforce to deliver quality and timely care and support to meet local needs.
Are community pharmacists included as eligible allied health professionals?
The guidelines provided by the Department of Health and Ageing have not included community pharmacists as ‘allied health’. The intention of the RHCE2 program is to provide assistance to rural and remote practitioners who otherwise have little or no access to professional support. Continuing Professional Education (CPE) allowances for community pharmacists are available under the Rural Pharmacy Workforce Program. http://www.ruralpharmacy.com.au/AllowancesScholarships/Allowances/CPEProfessionalDevelopmentAllowance/tabid/649/language/en-AU/Default.aspx.
Are Hospital Scientists eligible for RHCE2 Round 3 grant funding?
The Alliance is advised by the Department that the Hospital Scientists are not eligible under Round 3.
What CPD programs are available to nurses, midwives and allied health professionals?
Two programs to support postgraduate study and continuing professional development for nurses, midwives and allied health professionals were announced in 2010-2011. Nursing and Allied Health Scholarships and Support Services (NAHSSS) are managed by Services for Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health (SARRAH), see nahsss@sarrah.org.au; and the Royal College of Nursing, Australia (RCNA), http://www.rcna.org.au/. Other CPD programs are outlined below.
Are there any existing grant or scholarship programs to support CPD on research methodologies for allied health professionals (eg Dieticians and OTs)?
Applications for a NAHSSS Postgraduate Scholarship to undertake a tertiary level course in research methodology is not specifically ineligible. The applicant is expected to explain how the activity will provide greater skills and knowledge in a field of direct relevance to their profession and how the activity will address unmet needs in their local community. Further information for the NAHSSS Allied Health Postgraduate, CPD and Clinical Psychology Scholarships is available at nahsss@sarrah.org.au.
SARRAH manages five allied health scholarship streams under the NAHSSS. These are:
Undergraduate Scholarship: Provides assistance for people living in rural, remote and regional areas to study at an undergraduate or entry level.
Clinical Placement Scholarship: Provides assistance to allied health students to undertake a clinical placement, during their course of study, in rural and remote Australia.
Postgraduate Scholarship: Provides assistance for allied health professionals who provide a clinical service within Australia to enhance their skills and further develop their knowledge.
Continuing Professional Development Scholarship: Provides assistance for practising allied health professions to attend continuing professional development activities such as short courses and conferences to enhance their professional practice.
Clinical Psychology Scholarship: Provides assistance for eligible applicants to gain a qualification recognised by the Australian Psychology Board as a clinical psychologist.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants
SARRAH is committed to supporting the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander allied health workforce through the NAHSSS. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals are strongly encouraged to apply for scholarships at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Other Allied Health Scholarships (as advised on the SARRAH website)
http://www.sarrah.org.au/site/index.cfm?module=LINK&category_id=1949
- Australian Sonographers Associations Rural & Remote Sonographer Scholarship
- NSW Rural Allied Health Scholarships and Clinical Placement Grants
- Queensland Health Allied Health 'Area of Priority' Scholarship Scheme (QHAOPSS)
- Queensland Health Rural Scholarship Scheme
- SA Country Health Scholarships -Undergraduate and Postgraduate scholarships administered by Country Health SA
- The Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship Scheme
- Victorian Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for Rural Allied Health Practitioners
- Victorian Dental Scholarships
- Victorian Early Childhood Intervention Scholarships and Incentives
- Victorian Rural Allied Health Scholarships
- WA Country Allied Health Scholarship Scheme.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCNA) (extract from RCNA website). Information about Department of Health and Ageing scholarships and other trust funds administered by RCNA see: http://www.rcna.org.au/WCM/RCNA/Scholarships/rcna/scholarships/scholarships.aspx?hkey=2c5ba235-a406-4823-afe4-65fe65d2ccd7.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health scholarships:
Aged Care Nursing Scholarships:
- Aged Care Nursing Scholarships: Undergraduate
- Aged Care Nursing Scholarships: Postgraduate
- Aged Care Nursing Scholarships: Continuing Professional Development
- Aged Care Nursing Scholarships: Nurse Practitioner
Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship and Support Scheme (NAHSSS):
- NAHSSS: Undergraduate Scholarships
- NAHSSS: Postgraduate Scheme
- NAHSSS: Continuing Professional Development Scheme
- NAHSSS: Nurse Re-entry
- NAHSSS: Emergency Department: Postgraduate
- NAHSSS: Emergency Department Clinical Placement
- NAHSSS: Continuing Professional Development: Emergency Department
- NAHSSS: Emergency Department: Continuing Professional Development - Administrative Staff
- NAHSSS: Clinical Placement Scholarships: Aboriginal Medical Services
- NAHSSS: Professional Development Scholarships: nurses and midwives working in Aboriginal Medical Services
What is the Nursing and Allied Health Rural Locum Scheme (NAHRLS)?
The NAHRLS is a component of the Australian Government’s National Health and Hospital Network Reform agenda and aims to remove some of the barriers rural health professionals face in accessing CPD activities. http://www.nahrls.com.au/about-nahrls/.The NAHRLS will support and recruit suitable locums to enable rural professionals to leave their post to undertake CPD activities, and enable organisations to back-fill their positions to support ongoing service delivery. The scheme supports all locum recruitment, travel and accommodation costs.
The aims and objectives of the NAHRLS are to:
- enhance the ability of eligible nurses, midwives and allied health professionals to take leave and undertake CPD activities
- improve the retention and distribution of nurses, midwives and allied health professionals across Australia
- attract nurses, midwives and allied health professionals who may otherwise leave, travel or retire, to stay in the health workforce as locums
- improve the attractiveness of rural and remote practice for nurses, midwives and allied health professionals
- improve access of rural and remote communities to nurses, midwives and allied health professionals
Which health professions are eligible for NAHRLS?
Locum support will be allocated across various health professions providing clinical services. In the first instance, the nursing and eligible allied health professions under the NAHRLS include: Registered nurse, Enrolled nurse, Midwife, Aboriginal Health Worker (Certificate IV), Audiology , Chiropractic, Dental & Oral Health, Dietetics, Exercise Physiology, Medical Radiation Science, Occupational Therapy, Optometry, Orthoptics, Osteopathy , Paramedics, Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Psychology, Social Work , Speech pathology, see http://www.nahrls.com.au/.
Further information on CPD and scholarship programs for nurses and midwives
For scholarships managed by the College of Nursing NSW and information on CPD programs for nurses and midwives see http://www.nursing.edu.au/collegescholarship/, http://www.nursing.edu.au/otherscholarships/ and http://www.nursing.edu.au/CPDh/.
Are overseas courses eligible for RHCE2 funding?
No. Project funding can only be made to groups of individuals and organisations that propose to develop and/or provide training or commission such work for and on behalf of eligible health professionals in rural and remote Australia. Such organisations might include professional colleges, member-based organisations, service providers or peak bodies or service providers, universities and non-government organisations including registered training organisations.
Must participants in the funded activity be Australian citizens or permanent residents?
Yes, and they must be eligible to practise in the relevant health professions in rural and remote Australia.
Must participants in the funded activity have professional registration?
Yes. Funding under RHCE2 is for eligible professionals with current practice qualifications and registration, including compliance with any requirements of the States and Territories. Health professions included in the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS) will need to comply with the requirements set by the relevant National Board. Further details on the NRAS can be found at http://www.ahpra.gov.au/About-AHPRA.aspx.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers who are employed in providing services are eligible for funding. (From July 2012, to be eligible for activities under the program they will be required to comply with the requirements of the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme - see http://www.atsihealthpracticeboard.gov.au/).
Can I apply for an activity to be delivered in a major city?
Yes, but priority will be given to activities delivered in workplaces or locally in rural and remote areas. However if the required education and training provider is not accessible in rural or remote areas consideration of funding for services in metropolitan/urban and inner regional areas will be given.
Is a Diploma of Counselling eligible under RHCE2?
If a Diploma of Counselling is classified by your professional body as eligible for CPD, then such an activity for allied health workers and Aboriginal Health Workers would be eligible.
Can program funds be used for the purchase of equipment or other assets?
No, RHCE funding cannot be used for the purchase of motor vehicles, training equipment, IT hardware or software.
Who owns any intellectual property developed during this project?
All resources and materials produced with RHCE2 funding will become intellectual property of the Commonwealth of Australia.
