Applications open 4 November – 23 November 2025

The Health Education and Training Institute (HETI) invites NSW Health employees and staff working outside NSW Health to apply for a limited number of scholarships to complete short courses in early abortion care.

Eligible applicants include those working in NSW Health, primary care, community health, non-government organisations (NGOs) and sole practitioner settings that provide reproductive healthcare or related services.

This initiative is delivered in partnership with Ministry of Health (MoH) and Family Planning Australia (FPA), providing access to evidence-based education designed to strengthen knowledge and clinical capability in this area of practice.

Funded by the NSW Government, this initiative supports NSW Health’s commitment to accessible, safe, person-centred abortion care and pregnancy choice support across the state. A limited number of fully funded places are available.

Nurse Practitioners (NPs), Endorsed Midwives (EMs) and staff working in regional or rural settings are strongly encouraged to apply.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must be:

• Currently employed by NSW Health (Local Health District, Specialty Health Network or NSW Ambulance) in a clinical or non-clinical support role e.g. medical, nursing, midwifery, allied health, Aboriginal Health Worker or support staff - on a full-time, part-time or regular casual basis.

OR

• Clinical or non-clinical professionals working in primary care, community-based or non-government organisations (including sole practitioners)  that provide early abortion care or related reproductive or primary healthcare support.

Applicants must also:

• Be able to complete the nominated short course by 31 March 2026

About the Courses

Tier 1 – Pregnancy Choices (Online Course)

This self-paced online course allows participants to build foundational knowledge of early abortion care and develop awareness of pregnancy options and support pathways.

Eligibility:

• All clinical and non-clinical NSW Health staff: for e.g. clinical and non-clinical support staff, including medical receptionists, social workers, sole practitioners, Aboriginal Health Workers and health promotion officers
• Clinical and non-clinical professionals working in community-based services or non-government services (including sole practitioners) involved in early abortion care or related services for e.g. Primary Care, Women’s Health Centres, Non-Government organisations (NGO’s)

Topics Explored:

• Full range of pregnancy choices in Australia, with a focus on NSW
• Barriers to access and equity issues faced by pregnant women
• Principles for supporting informed decision-making
• Case studies illustrating the complexities of pregnancy decisions

Key Details:

• Duration: Approx. 1 hour
• Mode: Online, self-paced
• Scholarship Covers: Full course fees
• Recognition: Statement of Completion

Tier 2 – Clinical Scholarship: Combined Online Courses

This scholarship provides access to two Family Planning Australia courses:

1. Pregnancy Choices (Online Course) – to consolidate foundational knowledge
2. Unintended Pregnancy and Medical Abortion in Primary Care (Online Course) - to enhance clinical capability

Together, these courses strengthen clinical knowledge, confidence and capability in early abortion care, counselling and follow-up support.

Eligibility:

• Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Endorsed Midwives (EMs) are prioritised for this scholarship, whether working within NSW Health or in primary care, community health, non-government organisations (NGOs) or as sole practitioners
• Clinicians working in NSW Health or in primary care, community health or NGO’s (e.g. doctors, nurses, midwives, sole practitioners)

Topics Explored:

• Principles of non-directive counselling
• Unintended pregnancy options
• Legal and service frameworks for abortion in NSW
• Role of primary care practitioners in information provision, assessment, follow-up and referral as required

Key Details:

• Duration: Approx. 2 hours
• Mode: Online, self-paced
• Scholarship Covers: Full course fees for both programs
• Recognition: Statement of Completion

Successful Applicants

Successful scholarship recipients will be notified by email by mid-December 2025.

Recipients are asked to accept the offer within 10 business days, or, if on approved leave during this period, as soon as practicable upon returning to work.

Offers not accepted after that time may be reallocated.

Further Information

If you have any questions, please contact Ally Jeffers, Senior Program Manager Education Design and Evaluation, Early Abortion Care Project, HETI.