More people in the Goldfields with an interest in healthcare will be able to further their careers without having to leave the region, as Curtin University expands its study options at its Kalgoorlie campus with the support of the Goldfields University Department of Rural Health (GUDRH).
From 2027, a new occupational therapy pathway and a streamlined enrolled nursing-to-registered nursing program will help to reduce barriers to study, while also helping to develop a strong and sustainable rural health workforce.
GUDRH Interim Director Chelsie Grace said study pathways played a major role in shaping regional workforces.
“We know that students who study in rural areas are much more likely to remain in, or return to, those communities to live and work,” Mrs Grace said.
“By creating more opportunities for people to study healthcare professions locally, we are helping to grow the region’s future workforce while making tertiary education more accessible for Goldfields residents.”
From 2027, students can begin their studies to becoming an occupational therapist at Curtin Kalgoorlie via direct ATAR entry or alternative pathways, allowing them to stay connected to family, community and support networks as they begin university life.
Students will complete their first-year study locally through a combination of face-to-face and online learning, before transitioning to Curtin’s Bentley Campus for second and third year studies.
They can then choose to return to Kalgoorlie to undertake their fourth-year professional placements.
Goldfields-based enrolled nurses will also have the opportunity to become registered nurses through Curtin’s Bachelor of Science (Advanced Nursing), with recent changes to the course now enabling domestic students to complete the degree in 18 months at Curtin Kalgoorlie.
Enrolled nurses can also receive financial support to upskill thanks to the Home Grown Nursing Scholarship Program, supported by the BHP WA Nickel Community Fund which aims to alleviate financial pressures while studying.
“For many enrolled nurses, the opportunity to now complete the degree in 18 months provides a more accessible route to becoming a registered nurse,” Mrs Grace said.
“When combined with scholarship support and the ability to study locally, we’re reducing some of the barriers that can prevent people from taking the next step in their careers and benefitting their communities.”
Applications for Home Grown Nursing Scholarships close November 23, 2026.
Those interested in course or scholarship opportunities can contact GUDRH.
