The Voluntary Bonding Scheme (the scheme) is run by Te Whatu Ora to encourage newly qualified health professionals to work in the communities and specialties that need them most, and to retain essential health professionals within Aotearoa New Zealand. Those on the scheme can receive payments to help repay their student loan (or as top-up income for those without a loan).
As part of the regular annual review of the scheme, and delivering on the Workforce Plan 2023/24, Te Whatu Ora has expanded the Voluntary Bonding Scheme to include anaesthetic technicians and pharmacists and expanded the scheme for midwives and general practice trainees.
The scheme has also been renewed for registered and enrolled nurses, dentists, oral health therapists, radiation therapists, sonographers and medical physicists.
Eligible graduates wishing to take part must register their interest. If a registrant for the scheme is accepted and they meet the terms and conditions, they are entitled to an initial bond payment after a minimum of three years’ service, and up to two additional payments after a fourth year and fifth year. A registration period for the 2024 intake is anticipated to open in early 2024, probably February, on the Te Whatu Ora website.
Registrations must be received within the registration period, and late registrations generally cannot be considered. Registration does not guarantee a place on the scheme (and if the scheme is oversubscribed, a selection process may be undertaken); however, the scheme has a flexible target of places per intake across the scheme’s professions, and all eligible Scheme registrants have been accepted since 2019.
Information about the 2024 intake is available on Te Whatu Ora’s website. Feel free to refer to the following information when working with candidates on employment with Te Whatu Ora for 2024.
Read more detail in this Te Whatu Ora notification document (PDF).
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