Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Scholarships

Since January 2017, in partnership with AIDA, CATSINAM and IAHA, the RFDS has provided financial support through scholarships to Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander health students undertaking clinical placements in remote and rural Australia. This has been a commitment under the RFDS Reconciliation Plan, and as an effort to contribute to the growth of an appropriate and skilled rural health workforce.

These scholarships are for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander students currently undertaking a relevant tertiary degree in medicine; nursing; midwifery; or allied health.

Through these scholarships, recipients learn about rural practice and feedback shows the experience inspired many to work in rural and remote areas when they complete their studies. To date, 31 students have benefited from this scheme and applications are once again open to student members of the three partner organisations for 2023.

Scholarships are available to Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander students undertaking an appropriate remote or rural clinical placement in the following fields:

  • Medicine (to be administered by Australian Indigenous Doctor’s Association (AIDA); 
  • Nursing or Midwifery (to be administered by the Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives (CATSINAM);
  • Allied Health (to be administered by Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA).

Please visit the relevant websites above for more information about the 2022 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander scholarship program. Please note scholarship applicants must be current members of AIDA, CATSINAM or IAHA as relevant.

Sarita Scholarship Placement Reflections

Sarita's Reflections - Placement in Nhulunbuy

28 Oct 2021

Royal Flying Doctor Service Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Scholarship Reflections

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Isaiah Kamid

AIDA RFDS Rural Placement Scholarship

01 Apr 2021

I was one of the very lucky recipients of the RFDS scholarship in 2021. This scholarship was used to help me with my Rural Clinical School (RCS) year-long placement in Kalgoorlie for my 4th year of Medicine

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NAIDOC Logo

Because of Her, We Can! Celebrating our Scholarship Winners

13 Jul 2018

The NAIDOC week 2018 theme is 'Because of her, we can!' We celebrate women across the nation, including Amanda, a recipient of 2017 RFDS Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Scholarship. Amanda used the Scholarship to follow her interest in Aboriginal & Paediatric health.

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Scholarship

Reflections on Remote Placement with Apunipima Cape York Aboriginal Health Council

01 Dec 2019

The 2019 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health scholarship gave me the opportunity to practice medicine in remote communities which presented vastly different challenges and learning opportunities. I can confidently say that it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my medical journey.

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Scholarship winner

Reflection on Clinical Placement with Purple House

30 Dec 2019

Scholarship Recipient Rebecca Fatnowna reflects on her Clinical Placement with Western Desert Nganampa Walytja Palyantjaku Tjutaku Aboriginal Corporation (Purple House)

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AIDA RFDS Scholarship Report

01 Jul 2021

I would like to thank RFDS and AIDA for their support through the Royal Flying Doctor Service Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health scholarship.

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