The NSW Government will invest an additional $124 million to boost public servants’ salaries that work and live regionally.
Premier Chris Minns revealed health workers will receive up to $20,000 in incentives in efforts to fill job vacancies in regional NSW – doubling the $10,000 scheme currently on offer.
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The money can be used to pay off study loans, while also covering sign-on bonuses, relocation costs, further education, accommodation and boosting salaries.
Mr Minns also revealed his government is committing to convert 16,000 teacher and administration roles to permanent positions – with “more than 50 per cent of them will be in the regions”.
“We have to grow our rural and regional workforce in remote areas,” Mr Minns said at the Daily Telegraph’s Bush Summit.
“We know that workforce and skills shortages are contributing to inequitable outcomes in the health sector.
“The previous incentive, which was set in 2010, was never reviewed despite obvious and clear strains on the health system.”
Last year, the Coalition Government’s $10,000 scheme was aimed at attracting health care workers to the bush, but NSW Health revealed it wasn’t successful.
Just nine per cent of roles advertised as part of the scheme had been filled since then, pushing the Labor Government to double the offer.