'Bringing Nurses Back into the Workforce' - Australian Government Information

If you are a registered nurse/midwife or enrolled nurse  who has been employed previously in the Australian nursing workforce, but you have not worked as a nurse/midwife in Australia for 12 months, you may be eligible for cash bonuses to encourage you to come back to work in a public or private hospital, or residential aged care home. 

For further information please click here to visit the Australian Government's 'Bringing Nurses Back into the Workforce' Fact Sheets.

Refresher Courses for Nurses/Midwives

Refresher courses are designed for nurses and midwives who have not practiced within the profession for a period of no more than five years and wish to refresh their nursing and midwifery skills, knowledge and competency in order to return to the workforce. Entry to a refresher course does not need to be coordinated through the Nursing and Midwifery Board of South Australia (nmbSA) and therefore can be negotiated by the individual with the hospital of their choice.

Nurses and midwives who are seeking to be reinstated to the general register or roll and who have not practiced nursing or midwifery within the last five years or more must undergo a re-entry program approved by the nmbSA.

Where a person believes competency can be demonstrated without completing a re-entry program, an assessment must be undertaken through the ‘Competency Assessment Service’. Determination of suitability to undergo a competency assessment can only be made by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of South Australia. For further information regarding re-entry contact the Nursing and Midwifery Board of South Australia.

Re-entry to Practice for Nursing/Midwifery

Registered Nurse

The re-entry programs outlined below have been approved by the nmbSA and on successful completion will allow for reinstatement to the register.

There are two types of re-entry programs - university or health unit based. All are based within the metropolitan area however the clinical component of the hospital based programs can be undertaken in country hospitals as negotiated. University based programs are offered in two Universities. Fees for university programs are at the expense of the individual.

For further information contact the following:

• Flinders University
• University of South Australia

The programs based at health units are of varying length and configuration of theory and practice. Information on the exact program requirements can be obtained by contacting the hospitals directly:

* Program supported by the Department of Health (DH). The program is free to the participant and a scholarship to assist with expenses may be available after commencement.

Registered Midwife

The Re-entry program for midwives is a collaboration between Flinders Medical Centre and the Women’s and Children’s Hospital. A 12-day theoretical component is followed by 60 days of clinical practice which can be completed at either hospital. Candidates wishing to complete their clinical time in a rural hospital can negotiate this with the course coordinators.

These programs are supported by the Department of Health, are free to the participant and a scholarship to assist with expenses may be available after commencement. Information on the exact program requirements can be obtained by contacting the hospitals directly:

Enrolled Nurse

Re-entry programs for Enrolled Nurses are either TAFE SA or health unit based. The TAFE SA courses vary in length and units of study required depending on the TAFE SA Campus attended but are generally one semester full-time. Campus’ currently offering Re-entry courses are Douglas Mawson Institute of TAFE SA, Spencer Institute of TAFE SA and the South East Institute of TAFE SA. For course commencement dates and requirements visit the TAFE SA website or contact them on 1300 130 753.

Unit based programs are offered by:

* Program supported by the Department of Health (DH). The program is free to the participant and a scholarship to assist with expenses may be available after commencement.

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Refresher Courses for Nursing/Midwifery

Refresher courses are targeted at the needs of the individual through theory and preceptored practice. The programs undertaken in the public sector are free and participants are not remunerated for the clinical time worked. Certain programs are supported by the Department of Health (DH) meaning the program is free to the participant and a scholarship to assist with expenses may be available after commencement.

Registered and Enrolled Nurses

Registered Midwife

The Re-entry program for midwives is a collaboration between Flinders Medical Centre and the Women’s and Children’s Hospital. A 12-day theoretical component is followed by clinical practice which can be completed at either hospital. Candidates wishing to complete their clinical time in a rural hospital can negotiate this with the course coordinators.

These programs are supported by the Department of Health, are free to the participant and a scholarship to assist with expenses may be available after commencement. Information on the exact program requirements can be obtained by contacting the hospitals directly: