Why choose Western NSW for GradStart
Challenge yourself, make an impact and shape the future of rural health at Western NSW Local Health District (LHD).
With 14 GradStart pathways available in Western NSW LHD, nurses have 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 if moving to an eligible location.
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 why over 80% of GradStart nurses stay at Western for a second year.
Western NSW is truly the best place to start a nursing career.
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"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.
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"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.
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"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.
New Graduate Support CNE, Dubbo Health Service.
Tailored pathways with lots of options keyboard_arrow_down
The first year experience in the Western NSW LHD GradStart program is clear:
- Choose from 14 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 Rural/ Justice pathway give you a variety of interest areas to explore.
- The specialty Mental Health Drug & Alcohol (MHDA) pathway provides experience in community, inpatient, and drug and alcohol specialist services. Western NSW LHD is the only District in NSW where the 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 keyboard_arrow_down
Western NSW has a unique support structure to help graduates succeed and stay.
In additional to helping develop skills to succeed, our preceptors are trained to support you as a person, so you have a great experience.
Through mentoring, skill development, problem analysis, and strategic thinking, professional and personal growth is promoted to boost self-confidence for long term success.
Regular debriefing ensures continuous learning and teamwork, to help you to work at your best, every step of the way.
Master new skills and gain more than learning keyboard_arrow_down
- 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 keyboard_arrow_down
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 7% of our workforce identified as Aboriginal and we have 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 keyboard_arrow_down
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 rural Multipurpose Service location.
Make a difference you can see keyboard_arrow_down
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 keyboard_arrow_down
GradStart nurses working in a Multipurpose Service are eligible for up to $20,000 in rural workforce relocation incentives. After 12 months, retention incentives of up to $10,000 annually is paid pro-rata. 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 rural Multipurpose Service (MPS) location keyboard_arrow_down
Choosing a 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 a MPS GradStart year and you will be very employable – especially in critical care areas.
Working at a MPS location 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 keyboard_arrow_down
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 at metro locations and at a base site (Orange, Dubbo, Bathurst) you can fast track to a Clinical Nurse Specialist, Clinical Nurse Educator or management position.
State-wide recognition and awarded GradStart nurses keyboard_arrow_down
Western NSW LHD GradStart nurses are regular winners of 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
95%
Complete their GradStart year in Western NSW LHD.
81%
Stay with Western NSW LHD for a 2nd year.
77%
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.
The Welcome Experience can help with your move to Western NSW
The Welcome Experience is a NSW Government free service supporting essential workers moving to regional NSW, that connects you and your family with local people and local resources to help you settle in and feel at home in your new community faster.
Local Connectors can help you with everything from the practicalities of finding housing, choosing childcare, exploring job opportunities for partners, or even introducing you to your neighbours!
Find out more about The Welcome Experience.
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.
Due to the size of the Western NSW LHD, it is advantageous to have a car for transport. 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 and Cobar 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.
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 for 2026 and selection criteria keyboard_arrow_down
Consult the NSW Health GradStart webpage for the 2026 GradStart handbook for more detailed information about the application process.
- Gradstart 2026 applications open: 17 June GradStart: - Careers in nursing and midwifery
- Gradstart 2026 applications close: 30 June
- Interview invitation: 22 July by email. You must accept/ decline by 28 July.
- Interviews: 4 - 29 August
- Recruitment outcome: 14 October by email
- If successful, acceptance deadline: 21 October
Eligibility conditions are outlined in the 2026 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 29 October 2025. The EAB will remain open until August 2026.
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 keyboard_arrow_down
Registered Nurses in their GradStart year are covered under the Nurses and Midwives (state) Award
- Pay rate: $1382.80 per week or $36.38 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 $100.87/week.
You need to organise accommodation with the Health Service Manager of your facility. See also location information.
GradStart career pathways keyboard_arrow_down
| 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 Post Grad Rural Generalism | CNS, NP, leadership | |
Mental Health Drug & Alcohol (MHDA) | Community | Inpatient | Drug & Alcohol specialist services | Post Grad Forensic Mental Health | CNS, NP, leadership | |
Critical care | Medical / MHDA | Surgical | ED / ICU / MHDA consultation liaison | Rural CC or ICU | CNS, NP, leadership | |
Medical | Medical / MHDA inpatient / rehab | Rehab / sub-acute / palliative care | Return to ward of choice | Varied post grad study | CNS, NP, leadership | |
Surgical | Surgical / inpatient | EDSU | Theatre | Post grad surgical or T2PPP | CNS, NP, leadership | |
Cardiac | Medical / MHDA | Coronary care / stroke | Coronary care / stroke | Post grad cardiac or rural critical care | CNS, NP, leadership | |
General | MED / SURG / EDSU / SUB ACUTE / MHDA/ REHAB | Specialty rotation of choice | Specialty rotation of choice | Varied post grad study | CNS, NP, leadership | |
Midwifery | Antenatal / postnatal ward | Birthing suite | Day assessment unit/ outpatient clinic | Midwifery models of care | CNS, NP, leadership | |
Child & youth | Paeds / adolescent MHDA | Neonatal care | Return to ward choice | Post grad paeds / NICU | CNS, NP, leadership | |
Rural/Base | Multipurpose Service ED/Acute/Aged Care | Medical/MHDA | Surgical/ rehab & specialty | Grad certificate Rural Generalism or specialty | CNS, NP, leadership | |
Rural/ Justice | WNSWLHD: Medical, Surgical, ICU, ED, Ambulatory care, Theatre | 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, leadership | |
Renal | Medical / OTP | Renal dialysis | Renal dialysis | Post grad renal | CNS, NP, leadership | |
Oncology | Medical / MHDA | Oncology | Oncology | Post grad oncology | CNS, NP, leadership | |
Ambulatory care | Surgical / EDSU | ACU/CN | ACU/CN | Varied post grad study | CNS, NP, leadership | |
Pathway Rural Generalist GradStart Months 1-4 Adult/ Paeds & Respiratory Months 5-8 Abdominal & Neurological Months 9-12 Cardiac & Geriatric Year 2 Triage/ALS Post Grad Rural Generalism Year 3 CNS, NP, leadership |
Pathway Mental Health Drug & Alcohol (MHDA) GradStart Months 1-4 Community Months 5-8 Inpatient Months 9-12 Drug & Alcohol specialist services Year 2 Post Grad Forensic Mental Health Year 3 CNS, NP, leadership |
Pathway Critical care GradStart Months 1-4 Medical / MHDA Months 5-8 Surgical Months 9-12 ED / ICU / MHDA consultation liaison Year 2 Rural CC or ICU Year 3 CNS, NP, leadership |
Pathway Medical GradStart Months 1-4 Medical / MHDA inpatient / rehab Months 5-8 Rehab / sub-acute / palliative care Months 9-12 Return to ward of choice Year 2 Varied post grad study Year 3 CNS, NP, leadership |
Pathway Surgical GradStart Months 1-4 Surgical / inpatient Months 5-8 EDSU Months 9-12 Theatre Year 2 Post grad surgical or T2PPP Year 3 CNS, NP, leadership |
Pathway Cardiac GradStart Months 1-4 Medical / MHDA Months 5-8 Coronary care / stroke Months 9-12 Coronary care / stroke Year 2 Post grad cardiac or rural critical care Year 3 CNS, NP, leadership |
Pathway General GradStart Months 1-4 MED / SURG / EDSU / SUB ACUTE / MHDA/ REHAB Months 5-8 Specialty rotation of choice Months 9-12 Specialty rotation of choice Year 2 Varied post grad study Year 3 CNS, NP, leadership |
Pathway Midwifery GradStart Months 1-4 Antenatal / postnatal ward Months 5-8 Birthing suite Months 9-12 Day assessment unit/ outpatient clinic Year 2 Midwifery models of care Year 3 CNS, NP, leadership |
Pathway Child & youth GradStart Months 1-4 Paeds / adolescent MHDA Months 5-8 Neonatal care Months 9-12 Return to ward choice Year 2 Post grad paeds / NICU Year 3 CNS, NP, leadership |
Pathway Rural/Base GradStart Months 1-4 Multipurpose Service ED/Acute/Aged Care Months 5-8 Medical/MHDA Months 9-12 Surgical/ rehab & specialty Year 2 Grad certificate Rural Generalism or specialty Year 3 CNS, NP, leadership |
Pathway Rural/ Justice GradStart Months 1-4 WNSWLHD: Medical, Surgical, ICU, ED, Ambulatory care, Theatre Months 5-8 Changeover to JHFMHN Months 5/6 WNSWLHD Months 7/8 JHFHN Months 9-12 JHFMHN: Custodial MHDA, Pop Health, Aboriginal Health, Primary Care, Integrated Care Year 2 Varied post grad study Year 3 CNS, NP, leadership |
Pathway Renal GradStart Months 1-4 Medical / OTP Months 5-8 Renal dialysis Months 9-12 Renal dialysis Year 2 Post grad renal Year 3 CNS, NP, leadership |
Pathway Oncology GradStart Months 1-4 Medical / MHDA Months 5-8 Oncology Months 9-12 Oncology Year 2 Post grad oncology Year 3 CNS, NP, leadership |
Pathway Ambulatory care GradStart Months 1-4 Surgical / EDSU Months 5-8 ACU/CN Months 9-12 ACU/CN Year 2 Varied post grad study Year 3 CNS, NP, leadership |
Location information keyboard_arrow_down
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.
Additional information
- Incentives – additional financial incentives are offered for all MPS sites, Cobar Hospital, Canowindra Soldiers Memorial Hospital and Wellington Hospital.
- Length of placements – Orange, Bloomfield, 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 keyboard_arrow_down
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 Health Service specialty pathways(renal, oncology, ambulatory care, surgical, medical, 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 – Bathurst and surrounds exchange(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 – 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 – Orange and surrounds exchange(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 – 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 – Dubbo and surrounds exchange(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 – mental health and drug and alcohol(Orange - Bloomfield, Dubbo) | Interested in a specialised Mental Health Drug & Alcohol pathway in either Orange or Dubbo. | We will contact you prior to interview for your preferred location. |
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 at one of these sites. | We will contact you prior to interview for your preferred location. |
WNSWLHD/JHFMHN rural exchange(Bathurst 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. |
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. |
How to apply
GradStart 2026
GradStart 2026 applications open 9:00am 17 June 2025 and close 11:59pm 30 June 2025.
Find out more and apply through NSW Health.
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 5825wnswlhd-gradrecruitment@health.nsw.gov.au
For Midwifery GradStart, contact Katie Taylor - Acting District Manager Maternity and Children’s Strategies on (02) 02 6369 8020 katie.taylor@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
Our stories
Meet our GradStart team and hear what it's like to live and work in Western NSW.
WNSWLHD GradStart - Meet Blake
Blake completed his GradStart at Western NSW LHD and shares with us the unique opportunities he had to advance his nursing...
1:50
WNSWLHD Maddie's GradStart story
Maddie completed her nursing GradStart at Western NSW LHD and shares some of the highlights of her time and why you should...
1:14
WNSWLHD GradStart - Meet Olivia
Olivia completed her GradStart nursing at Western NSW LHD and shares with us the impact this has made on advancing her...
1:29
GradStart in Western NSW LHD
Our regional and rural Gradstart graduates get ‘hands on’ much earlier than their metropolitan counterparts.
3:55
Meet Kendall - Mental Health GradStart
Kendall moved to Orange to join the Western NSW Mental Health GradStart program.
0:40
Meet Lucia - Mental Health GradStart
Lucia has more support in the Western NSW Mental Health NewGrad program than her peers in Sydney.
1:20
Meet Taylor - Mental Health GradStart
Taylor is so happy living in Orange for Mental Health Grad Start, she doesn't want to leave.
0:38
Meet Isabella - GradStart Western NSW
After moving from Wollongong, newly graduated Registered Nurse Isabella is loving relaxed country life, working in both...
0:59