Monash Uni to launch local allied health course

A push to train and retain more health workers in Bass Coast gathered a whole lot of steam this week, with details of a new locally delivered Monash University course shared just one day after the Coalition promised financial incentives for regional healthcare workers.

From 2027, 14 students will be able to study occupational therapy, physiotherapy or podiatry in Wonthaggi without having to relocate.

And South Gippsland local Melissa Bourke hopes to be one of them.

Ms Bourke, who currently teaches in the TAFE sector, discovered the course while completing an application through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC).

“I don’t have to go through the expense and the pain of leaving home,” she said.

“I can study here. It’s my home.”

Without that local pathway, Ms Bourke said she may have compromised by studying social work online, as occupational therapy would have meant moving closer to Melbourne.

If accepted, she would like to work locally.

“I would love to be home,” she said.

The three-year Bachelor of Allied Health will begin in Semester 1 next year, offering five Wonthaggi places in physiotherapy, five in occupational therapy and four in podiatry.

The details were outlined at a recent information session held at the Country Universities Centre Bass Coast on Monday, September 7.

It followed the Coalition’s announcement at Wonthaggi Hospital on Sunday of a $40 million, four-year rural health workforce scheme if it wins November’s state election.

Under the proposal, eligible health professionals taking hard-to-fill regional jobs could receive up to $10,000 upfront and further incentives of up to $10,000 for each year they remain.

However, Monash University course coordinator Sam Sevenhuysen said the jury was still out on whether financial incentives could deliver long-term regional workforce retention.

“Financial incentives have been around for a while, particularly from the State Government, and there hasn’t been a whole lot of research as to whether they retain health professionals,” Ms Sevenhuysen said.

“So yes, they might pay them for a year or two or three of their service, but do they then go away?

“We’re really keen to follow up and see what happens with graduates of this course to see whether it might be better money spent than incentives.”

Students must choose their profession when they apply and, subject to accreditation, will graduate eligible to register and practise.

The only Year 12 subject prerequisite is a study score of at least 25 in English, with applications made through VTAC and rural students given preference.

Classes will be delivered at CUC Bass Coast, while Monash is negotiating to also use space at Wonthaggi Hospital.

Placements are planned across hospitals, private practices, community organisations and home-based services, generally within a 90-minute drive.

CUC Bass Coast centre director Sarah Bourke said local delivery would remove barriers for those who would otherwise find it hard to relocate or travel long distances multiple times a week.

“It increases access,” she said.

“I think people who are going to be choosing and accepted into the course are going to be local people who want to work locally and contribute to the workforce.”