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Rural Health Workforce Australia is the national peak body for advocacy and representation on Australian rural and remote health workforce issues. RHWA represents Rural Workforce Agencies in all states and the Northern Territory of Australia. Rural Health Workforce Australia is the national peak body for advocacy and representation on Australian rural and remote health workforce issues. RHWA represents Rural Workforce Agencies in all states and the Northern Territory of Australia.

National Rural Health Students' Network

The NRHSN is a multi-disciplinary health student network comprising 29 Rural Health Clubs (RHCs) located at universities around Australia, in every state and territory. The NRHSN covers medical, nursing and allied health courses, and comprises a member base of more than 9,500 students.

Rural Health Workforce Australia is funded by the Department of Health and Ageing to run and manage the NRHSN.  But the network wouldn’t exist without the dedication and tireless work of the voluntary student council and particularly the student executive.  Staff include Kristen Harrison (National Program Manager), Linda Nink (Senior Project Officer), Kerryn Eccleston (Senior Project Officer), Jane Jamieson (Project Officer) and Kate Nakic (Project Officer).

The main aim of the NRHSN is to provide positive rural experiences for health students that may influence their decision to work in rural and remote Australia upon graduation. NRHSN initiatives include:

  • Funding 15 of the 29 Rural Health Clubs
  • Pools of money for all Rural Health Clubs to undertake extra activities and events to promote rural and remote health careers to their members
  • Conferences of National Significance (CoNS) Program where all members have access to a pool of funding to attend conferences and meetings whereby they can network and find out more about the benefits of working in the bush
  • National University Rural Health Conference (NURHC) which in 2010 was attended by more than 350 students 
  • The Rural High School Visits (RHSV) program, whereby all clubs visit local rural and remote high schools and promote the benefits of studying health.  More information about the program and how to plan a visit can be found at www.nrhsn-rhsv.org.au
  • Participation in Indigenous festivals across the country including Vibe Alive, Wakakirri, Music Outback Foundation plus many more
  • Publications including When the Cowpat Hits the Windmill, written by students for students on staying mentally fit while in the bush and the NRHSN Rural Placements Guide to help students prepare for rural placements including where to go for assistance, what to bring and other necessary information.

The NRHSN also develops and distributes two newsletters per year which contain articles from all clubs as well as updates on NRHSN activities.

More information about the NRHSN can be found at www.nrhsn.org.au