GradStart in Western NSW

Get your nursing and midwifery career off to a great start with our GradStart program in Western NSW. You'll develop clinical skills, critical thinking and confidence in a supportive environment.

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GradStart: Graduate Nursing/Midwifery 2025

Applications for GradStart open 18 June 2024 and close 1 July 2024.

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Why choose Western NSW for GradStart

Skyrocket your career at Western NSW Local Health District (LHD).

More than 15 GradStart pathways are available in Western NSW LHD, giving nurses the opportunity to be more hands-on with patients and quickly develop a wider range of skills. Our GradStart nurses often build lifelong friendships, experience a true regional lifestyle and can receive incentives of up to $20,000 in many locations.

In two years you can be well on your way to qualify as a clinical nurse specialist, clinical nurse educator or taking steps into management - that's rocket speed!

Western NSW is truly the best place to start a nursing career.

Registered Nurse Stacey-Lee standing in front of Gilgandra MPS

"Three years in to my RN career at Gilgandra, I've completed dialysis training, ALS and triage packages. I'm currently training to be in charge of hospital."

Stacey-Lee, 2020 GradStart Western NSW LHD.

RN Gilgandra Multipurpose Service.

Winner 2022 NSW Health News to Practice Nurse of the year.

"The hands on experience at Dubbo for my GradStart was amazing - a smaller cohort gave me more opportunities. I highly recommend it as someone who never thought I'd be living rural."

Blake, 2022 GradStart Western NSW LHD.

RN - Theatre, Dubbo Health Service.

Registered Nurse Olivia smiling in her uniform

"In just three years I went from GradStart to RN intensive care and now I'm a clinical nurse educator, supporting new graduates."

Olivia, 2020 GradStart Western NSW LHD.

RN Dubbo Health Service.

New Graduate Support CNE.

Tailored pathways with lots of options

The first year's experience in the Western NSW LHD GradStart program is clear:

Choose from 15 specialty pathways or tailor a pathway to suit your career passions.
Curated pathways provide exposure to many different situations and presentations to learn and to practice more skills.
If you're not sure what to specialise in, our general pathway, Rural/Base pathway and WNSWLHD/Justice Health pathway give you a variety of interest areas to explore.
Specialty Mental Health Drug & Alcohol (MHDA) pathway, with experience in community, inpatient, and drug and alcohol special services. Western NSW LHD is the only District in NSW where completed GradStart year accrues credits for 50% of a Graduate Certificate in Mental Health (course fees valued at around $10,000).
If you want to change your specialty pathway once you have started your GradStart year, you can discuss with your facility manager other options or pathways within that facility.

There are up to three GradStart start dates in WNSWLHD, February, June and September. Please see the location information to see when your preference starts.

Extraordinary support to help you succeed

Western NSW has a unique support structure to help graduates succeed and stay.

Our preceptors are trained to support you as a person, not solely focusing on your skills.

Mentoring is also available and offers further enhancement of skill level, problem analysis and strategic thinking to promote professional and personal growth and boost self-confidence.

There is regular debriefing for both the nurse and the nursing team to discuss the actions and thought processes involved in clinical situations.

Master new skills and gain more than learning

A GradStart nurse in Western NSW, gets to see more, learn more and do more in a place where every day is different.
Spend less time observing and more time hands-on, so your skills and confidence will develop quickly.
The wide variety of presentations at Western NSW LHD hospitals, gives you the opportunity to learn as well as master your skills and build a highly desirable portfolio of practice.
As well as a minimum of four paid study days per year, accessible educators provide many learning occasions both virtually and in person.
In a smaller team and cohort you'll have many opportunities to make a difference.

Make a real contribution to closing the gap

First nations people make up 13% of our region's population. Our LHD has the largest professional cohort of any health district in NSW, with just over 5% of our workforce identified as Aboriginal and 32 Aboriginal Health Practitioners.

We have a strong commitment and programs in place, to close the gap in health outcomes and your work will contribute to this goal, every day.

Build lifelong friendships

GradStart orientation and certain learning modules are undertaken as a group, so you get to meet and build friendships with your peers. If you want to be placed for your GradStart year with a friend, let us know and we can accommodate your request, especially at a Multipurpose Service.

Make a difference you can see

With a greater than average proportion of disadvantaged people, many with chronic conditions that are more advanced when presented, you are able to make a real difference – quickly. In our rural MPS sites you get to manage the patient journey, working with a multidisciplinary team and experience the satisfaction of supporting your patients from admission to discharge. You really do get to see the results of your work and be appreciated for your care.

Get ahead financially

GradStart nurses working in a Multipurpose Service are eligible for up to $20,000 in rural workforce incentives. After 12 months, retention incentives of up to $10,000 annually is paid pro-rata at MPS locations. Several locations have facility accommodation available and the cost of living in rural locations is lower, which helps you to save and get ahead.

Please note accommodation is not available at all facilities and you must contact the facility manager to confirm availability.

The advantage of a Multipurpose Service rural location

Choosing an MPS for your GradStart year, does not limit you to small hospitals for the rest of your career. Large hospitals value the broad training provided in an MPS GradStart year and you will be very employable – especially in critical care areas.

Working at an MPS site you will learn, acute care, ED and geriatric medicine, chronic care, managing a deteriorating patient and how to use Australia’s leading virtual health technology.

Seamless transition to an accelerated career

GradStart positions in Western NSW LHD are permanent positions. GradStart nurses move easily into year two structured support, with study opportunities, scholarships and specialised pathways. Working at an MPS site means you'll be trained in Triage and ALS, which is usually learnt in year 5, and at a base site (Orange, Dubbo, Bathurst) you can fast track to Clinical Nurse Specialist, Clinical Nurse Educator or management positions.

State-wide recognition and awarded GradStart nurses

For the last two years Western NSW LHD GradStart nurses have won the prestigious NSW Health 'New to Practice Nurse' award - a state-wide honour. Will you be next?

2023 NSW Health 'New to Practice Nurse' winner - Garima, Coonabarabran Health Service
2022 NSW Health 'New to Practice Nurse' winner - Stacey-Lee, Gilgandra Multipurpose Service

90%

Complete their GradStart year in Western NSW LHD.

83%

Stay with Western NSW LHD for a 2nd year.

72%

Are still in Western NSW LHD in their 3rd year.

A great place to live and work

Our region is so diverse, there's something for everyone. You can create a lifestyle where you can live your best life, focusing on the things that really matter to you.

Learn about the Western NSW region and unique lifestyle.

Find out more about our communities.

Group of three girlfriends enjoying lunch

Getting here and away

Western NSW LHD is the largest Local Health District in NSW, covering an area of 246,676 square kilometres, similar to the size of the United Kingdom.

Travel around the District by car easily. Download our map with approximate travel times (PDF 763.23KB) (PDF 763.23KB) (PDF 763.23KB)

Direct flights are available to Sydney from Dubbo, Orange, Parkes, Mudgee, Cobar and Bourke and to Melbourne and Brisbane from Dubbo and Orange.

From Dubbo or Orange enjoy a scenic drive to our Multipurpose Services, which will take 1hr to 4.5hrs depending on the location. A drivers licence is highly recommended.

Map of approx. travel times around Western NSW LHD

Important GradStart application information

Get started on your GradStart journey in Western NSW LHD.

GradStart positions are completed over a 12 month period either full time or part time.

Important dates and selection criteria

Consult the 2025 GradStart handbook for more detailed information about the application process.

Gradstart 2025 applications open: 18 June. GradStart: - Careers in nursing and midwifery
Gradstart 2025 applications close: 1 July
Interview invitation: 23 July by email. You must accept/decline by 30 July.
Interviews: 5 - 30 August
Recruitment outcome: 15 October by email
If successful, acceptance deadline: 21 October

Eligibility conditions are outlined in the 2025 GradStart Handbook. You require two clinical references as part of the GradStart selection process.

If eligible but no position vacant: you will be placed in the 'eligible applicants bank' (EAB) and be contacted by phone by interested LHDs who may offer you a position. Applicants on the EAB will be contacted from 28 October 2024. The EAB will remain open until August 2025.

If you haven't heard from us, you can always get in touch by emailing WNSWLHD-GradRecruitment@health.nsw.gov.au We are very keen to hear from you!

If you decline an offer made by one of your facility preferences, you will no longer be eligible for future offers.

If you decline an offer made from a facility outside of your preferences, the you are eligible for one further position offer. If you decline a second offer, there will be no further offers.

Pay and conditions

Registered Nurses in their GradStart year are covered under the Nurses and Midwives (state) Award 2023

Pay rate: $1342.50/ per week or $35.33/ per hour.
Penalties:Sat 150% | Sun 175% | Pub Hol 200% | PM shift 10-12.5% | Night shift 10-15%
Overtime (O/T) 10+ hours: Mon-Sat +150% first 2 O/T hours then +200%. Sun +200% for all O/T hours
Holidays & sick leave: Entitlements as per the award

Several facilities provide accommodation for GradStart nurses, you pay the award rate of $98/week.

You need to organise this with the Health Service Manager of your facility. See also location information.

GradStart career pathways

Pathway	GradStart Months 1-4	Months 5-8		Months 9-12	Year 2	Year 3
Rural Generalist	Adult Paeds & Respiratory	Abdominal & Neurological		Cardiac & Geriatric	Triage/ALS Grad Cert	CNS, NP, education, leadership
Mental Health Drug & Alcohol	Community	Inpatient		D&A special services	Post Grad Forensic Mental Health	CNS, NP, education, leadership
Rural/Base	Multipurpose Service ED/Acute/Aged Care		Medical/MHDA	Surigcal/ rehab & specialty of choice	Grad cert in rural generalism or specialty	CNS, NP, education, leadership
Rural/ Justice	WNSWLHD: Medical, Surgical, ICU, ED, Ambulatory care, Theatres		Changeover to JHFMHN Months 5/6 WNSWLHD Months 7/8 JHFHN	JHFMHN: Custodial MHDA, Pop Health, Aboriginal Health, Primary Care, Integrated Care	Varied post grad study	CNS, NP, education, leadership
Midwifery	Antenatal / postnatal ward	Birthing suite		Day assessment units	Midwifery models of care	CNS, NP, education, leadership
General	MED / SURG / EDSU / SUB ACUTE / MHDA/ REHAB	Specialty rotation of choice		Specialty rotation of choice	Varied post grad study	CNS, NP, education, leadership
Renal	Medical ward / OTP	Renal dialysis		Renal dialysis	Post grad renal	CNS, NP, education, leadership
Oncology	Medical ward / MHDA	Oncology		Oncology	Post grad oncology	CNS, NP, education, leadership
Ambulatory care	Surgical / EDSU	ACU/CN		ACU/CN	Varied post grad study options	CNS, NP, education, leadership
Cardiac	Medical / MHDA	Coronary care / stroke		Coronary care / stroke	Post grad cardiac or transition to critical care	CNS, NP, education, leadership
Child & youth	Paeds / child / adolescent MHDA	Neonatal care		Return to ward choice	Post grad paeds / NICU	CNS, NP, education, leadership
Surgical	Surgical / ECT (Orange)	Theatres		Return to ward choice	Post grad surgical or T2PPP	CNS, NP, education, leadership
Medical	Medical / MHDA inpatience / rehab	Rehab/ sub-acute / palliative care		Return to ward choice	Varied post grad study options	CNS, NP, education, leadership
Critical care	Medical / MHDA	Surgical		ED / ICU / MHDA consultation & liaison	Trans to rural CC or to ICU	CNS, NP, education, leadership

Location information

Download the WNSWLHD GradStart pathway options by location (PDF 133.35KB), for details of the specialties available for GradStart in 2025 in Western NSW Local Health District.

Image of a pdf with a table showing 2025 WNSWLHD GradStart pathway options by location

Additional information

Incentives – additional financial incentives are offered for all MPS sites, Cobar Hospital and Canowindra Soldiers Memorial Hospital.
Length of placements – Orange, Bathurst and Dubbo only accept 12 month placements, all other locations can be either 6 or 12 months.
Part-time placements – offered in Orange, Bathurst and Dubbo only.
Intake dates – All sites offer placements starting in February & June. Dubbo and Orange also offer placements starting in September.
Accommodation – may be available at all locations (some only short team), however this is subject to availability and details would need to be discussed with the relevant facility manager.

How to choose your GradStart option

The GradStart application website can be a little confusing.

To make it easier for you to select the option that works best for you, we have created the below table.

GradStart option	Choose this option if you are:	Next steps
WNSWLHD – Bathurst and surrounds (Bathurst, Blayney and Oberon)	Interested in a general/diverse position in Bathurst or a rural generalist pathway in Blayney or Oberon.	We will contact you prior to interview for your preferred location.
WNSWLHD – Bathurst Health Service specialty pathways (renal, oncology, ambulatory care, child and young people, surgical, medical, cardiac, mental health, critical care)	Interested in one of the specialty pathways at Bathurst Hospital.	We will contact you prior to interview for your specific pathway of interest.
WNSWLHD – Dubbo and surrounds (Dunedoo, Wellington, Narromine)	Interested in a general/diverse position in Dubbo or a rural generalist pathway close by in Wellington or Narromine.	We will contact you prior to interview for your preferred location.
WNSWLHD – Dubbo Health Service specialty pathways (renal, oncology, ambulatory care, child and young people, surgical, medical, cardiac, mental health, critical care)	Interested in one of the specialty pathways at Dubbo Hospital.	We will contact you prior to interview for your specific pathway of interest.
WNSWLHD – mental health and drug and alcohol (Bathurst, Orange - Bloomfield, Dubbo)	Interested in a specialised Mental Health Drug & Alcohol pathway in either Bathurst, Orange or Dubbo.	We will contact you prior to interview for your preferred location.
WNSWLHD – midwifery (Bathurst, Orange, Dubbo, Forbes, Mudgee)	You have completed a Bachelor of Midwifery and are looking for a position at one of these locations.	We will contact you prior to interview for your preferred location.
WNSWLHD – Orange and surrounds (Canowindra, Eugowra, Molong)	Interested in a general/diverse position in Orange or a rural generalist pathway at Canowindra or Eugowra or Molong.	We will contact you prior to interview for your preferred location.
WNSWLHD – Orange Health Service specialty pathways (renal, oncology, ambulatory care, child and young people, surgical, medical, cardiac, mental health, critical care)	Interested in one of the specialty pathways at Orange Hospital.	We will contact you prior to interview for your specific pathway of interest.
WNSWLHD – rural/regional (Cowra, Parkes, Forbes, Mudgee, Coolah, Peak Hill, Gilgandra, Gulargambone, Dunedoo, Tottenham, Tullamore, Trundle, Condobolin, Coonamble, Rylstone, Gulgong Grenfell)	Interested in a specialty with hands-on experience in a rural hospital with a close team (either Cowra, Parkes, Forbes, Mudgee), or the broad range of key skills gained quickly through the MPS rural generalist pathway in one of the other sites on this list.	We will contact you prior to interview for your specific pathway of interest and preferred location.
WNSWLHD – rural/remote (Lightning Ridge, Bourke, Walgett, Collarenebri, Brewarrina, Warren, Cobar, Trangie, Coonabarabran, Baradine, Nyngan)	You are interested in the broad range of key skills gained quickly through the MPS rural generalist pathway and any one of these sites.	We will contact you prior to interview for your preferred location.
WNSWLHD/JHFMHN rural exchange (Bathurst, Orange and Wellington)	You are interested in experiencing an acute hospital environment as well as primary health in a Justice Health facility.	We will contact you prior to interview for your preferred location.

How to apply

GradStart 2024 - June intake

Contact us as soon as possible by emailing wnswlhd-gradrecruitment@health.nsw.gov.au and we will be in contact to organise an interview.

GradStart 2025

GradStart 2025 applications open 9:00am 18 June 2024 and close 11:59pm 1 July 2024.

Find out more and apply through NSW Health.

Download the 2025 GradStart Handbook for more information.

Apply for GradStart

Contact us

For GradStart enquiries and more information on the positions and incentives available, contact Jackie Corliss - Manager, Graduate Programs and Traineeship on (02) 6330 5825 wnswlhd-gradrecruitment@health.nsw.gov.au

For Midwifery GradStart, contact Alison Loudon - District Manager Maternity and Children’s Strategies on (02) 02 6809 8775 alison.loudon@health.nsw.gov.au

For MHDA Gradstart, contact Ines Cowden - District Nurse Educator MHDA on 02 6369 8730 wnswlhd-mhda-professionaldevelopment@health.nsw.gov.au