Frequently asked questions
No, grants are not awarded based on academic performance.
Refer to the program guidelines for further information on prioritisation criteria.
Yes, if you provide appropriate evidence of employment as a speech pathologist or occupational therapist in regional or rural Victoria or any of the cross-border communities listed (as specified in the eligibility criteria) for the duration of the program, you are eligible for this grants program.
Yes, if you meet the residency requirements to work as a speech pathologist or occupational therapist in Australia, you are eligible for this grant.
Yes, but you must already have obtained the residency or VISA requirements to work in Australia and provide a signed employment contract in an eligible employment location.
Employer eligibility varies according to regional or rural location.
Regional Victoria (refer to program guidelines Appendix 2a)
In regional Victoria and regional cross border communities, an eligible employment setting includes:
- A Victorian public hospital, public health service, community health service or multipurpose service
- The Victorian Department of Education, including Victorian Government Schools
- A Victorian Public Sector Residential Aged Care Service.
- A not-for-profit organisation
- An Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) or Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO)
- A company contracted to deliver services to the above organisations.
Rural and Remote Victoria (refer to program guidelines Appendix 2b)
In rural and remote Victoria or a rural and remote cross border location, an eligible employment setting is:
- Any organisation or business that employs speech pathologists or occupational therapists.
If your employer is a not-for-profit organisation such as some Catholic and other religious schools, you may be eligible for the program.
Further information about not-for-profit organisations is available on the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission website. Please visit Not-for-profit | ACNC.
To check if your employer is a not-for-profit organisation, please search the charity register. Please visit Search for a charity | ACNC.
Please refer to appendix 2b in the program guidelines for a list of local government areas considered as Rural and Remote Victoria for this program.
If you do not know which local government area your employer is located in, please visit the Victoria’s Regions webpage to help you identify the local government area.
Please refer to appendix 2a in the program guidelines for a list of local government areas considered as Regional Victoria for this program.
If you do not know which local government area your employer is located in, please visit the Victoria’s Regions webpage to help you identify the local government area.
In regional Victoria and regional cross border communities, you may be eligible if the company you are employed at provides services to a public entity. Please refer to the program guidelines for details as these applicants must demonstrate they provide a minimum of 0.4 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) of services to the public entity.
In rural and remote Victoria or a rural and remote cross border location, an eligible employment setting is any organisation or business that employs speech pathologists or occupational therapists.
If your employment date with an eligible employer commences on or later than 31 March 2027 or 2028 (for rounds 4 and 5 respectively), you will not be eligible to receive payments for that round of grants. Please contact the Department of Government Services by sending an email to spots@grants.vic.gov.au if you would like your case to be considered as a special circumstance
A Unique Student Identifier (USI) is the number assigned to all students enrolled at an academic institution in Australia. A USI can be obtained at usi.gov.au.
The Department of Government Services may contact you to provide evidence of your enrolment or course completion at an international education provider.
- Mentoring and professional development in-services provided by your workplace.
- Professional mentoring and courses are available via professional associations Speech Pathology Australia and Occupational Therapy Australia.
- Rural workforce agency Victoria offers a range of grants to support allied health professionals and students in regional and rural Victoria. Please see the website for further information.
If you are enrolled in any accredited program of study in occupational therapy or speech pathology (including undergraduate courses, graduate entry to practice courses and other post graduate courses listed above) you are eligible for this grant.
You must notify the Department of Government Services if there are any changes to your circumstances during the grant period. If you submit a claim for the second payment, you will be required to provide an updated employment contract that reflects your current employment for a further six months.
You can contact the Department of Government Services by sending an email to spots@grants.vic.gov.au.
You can contact the Department of Government Services by sending an email to spots@grants.vic.gov.au.
You must submit a signed employment contract to be eligible for a grant. A letter of offer that meets the employment contract requirements as outlined in the program guidelines may be accepted as evidence of secured employment.
You can contact the Department of Government Services by sending an email to spots@grants.vic.gov.au.
You can contact the Department of Government Services by sending an email to spots@grants.vic.gov.au.
Yes, provided you fulfil a minimum 0.4 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) at a regional/rural location.
Applicants will still need to meet the residential eligibility.
Applicants must reside in rural or regional Victoria, or in a cross-border community as defined by one of the 48 regional local government areas (LGAs), for more information see Victoria’s Regions on the Regional Victoria website.
The list of eligible communities is detailed in appendix 2a and 2b of the program guidelines.
Updated