Scholarship schemes standard

Standard number: QH-HSDIMP-048-1

Effective date: 21 May 2024

Review date: 21 May 2027

Supersedes: Nil

On this page:

Purpose

The purpose of this standard is to set out the Hospital and Health Service (HHSs) responsibilities and accountabilities under the Queensland Health (QH) Scholarship Schemes Health Service Directive (HSD).

The HHSs will work in collaboration with the Department of Health (the Department) to ensure QH Scholarship Schemes are conducted in accordance with the agreed governance framework.

Scope

This standard applies to all employees, contractors, and consultants within the HHSs.

This standard applies to all QH Scholarship Schemes managed by the Department and the HHSs from the date of endorsement onwards.

Responsibilities and accountabilities

The Scholarship Scheme Scholarship Scheme Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed model (RACI) model (Supporting Document B) outlines the accountabilities and responsibilities of respective stakeholders in managing the Scholarship Schemes and is to be used to guide HHSs processes.

Business rules

Contract variations

  • Are to be approved by the Assistant Deputy Director-General Workforce (ADDGWS), Clinical Planning and Service Strategy (CPPS).
  • The number of contract deferrals longer than six months for an individual Scholarship Holder is at the discretion of the ADDGWS or approved delegate but should be limited to no more than two deferrals for each Scholarship Holder, as per the terms and conditions of the respective Scholarship contract.
  • The number of Contract Variations for speciality advanced skills training, where required, is at the discretion of the ADDGWS but should be limited to no more than two Contract Variations for each Scholarship Holder.
  • No new Service Deferral Deeds for Scholarship Holders to undertake speciality training will be approved by the ADDGWS.

Return of service (RoS) obligations

  • RoS may be performed in the Non-Public Sector if approved by the ADDGWS or approved delegate.
  • RoS hours in the Non-Public Sector will be based on full-time employment (consistent with the requirements for full-time employment in the relevant and then current industrial contract relating to such employment) as per the terms and conditions of the respective Scholarship contract.
  • Overtime hours will also be considered as RoS if the Scholarship Holder can provide sufficient evidence, verified by their employer, of the on-duty overtime hours worked.
  • Where RoS is performed in the Non-Public Sector, the Department may request a statement of service, certified by the employer, confirming the working arrangements of the Scholarship Holder.
  • The Department may also request that a Statutory Declaration accompanying the statement of service to confirm the working arrangements in the Non-Public Sector.
  • Monitoring of RoS obligations is to be undertaken in line with the Scholarship Scheme RACI model.
  • Queensland Health Allied Health Prosthetics and Orthotics Scholarship (QHAHPOS) RoS locations should be guided by the decision of the Chief Allied Health Officer.

Contract breaches

  • Scholarship Holders who fail to meet contractual obligations will breach their Scholarship contract.  The breach will be reported to the ADDGWS or approved delegate by the respective Clinical Lead on the endorsed template.
  • Scholarship Holders who do not complete their studies will be required to repay the Scholarship Debt incurred, calculated as per the terms and conditions of their respective Scholarship contract.

Human Rights

Human rights are not engaged by this standard.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander considerations

The HHSs must consider any implications for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders in the management of this standard.

Legislation

  • Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011
  • Assisted Students (Enforcement of Obligations) Act 1951

Supporting documents

  1. Authorising Health Service Directive: Queensland Health Scholarship Schemes # QH-HSD-048
  2. Scholarship Scheme RACI model
  3. Dental – Rural Incentives Schedule One - HR Policy C62

Definitions

TermDefinition
Clinical Lead Either the Chief Dental Officer, Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, Chief Allied Health Officer, Chief Health Officer or Executive Director, Rural and Remote Medical Support Services.
Contract variation An amendment of a contract with consent of all existing parties to the contract which modifies some of the rights or obligations of the parties without amounting to a rescission of the original contract and formation of a new one.
Deputy Director-General, Healthcare Purchasing and System Performance Division Is responsible for the execution of contract related functions of the Scholarship contract.
Assistant Deputy Director-General, Workforce, Clinical Planning and Service Strategy DivisionIs the Accountable Policy Officer for QH Scholarship Schemes.
Director-General Queensland Health Director-General.
Non-Public Sector An employer who does not fall under the Queensland Government.
Return of Service (RoS) Refers to the Service Period or Work Period of the Scholarship Holder as outlined in the Scholarship Contract.
Rural Incentive Package Dental – Rural Incentives Policy - C62 (QH-POL-416).
Scholarship contract The contract entered into by the Scholarship Holder and Queensland Health.
Scholarship Debt Following termination of the Scholarship contract, the student is liable to pay an amount to Queensland Health as stipulated in the Scholarships contract.
Scholarship Holder A person who has signed a Scholarship contract with Queensland Health.
Service Deferral Deed A Service Deferral Deed varies the original Scholarship contract (and any previous variations to it). The Service Deferral Deed becomes effective on the Commencement Date, as outlined in the Deed itself. Deferral or extension of the study period or return of service is a variation to the contract that requires contract variation documentation.

Version control

VersionDateComments
Version 1 7 September 2018 Created (to be reviewed annually and when relevant organisational change occurs)
Version 221 May 2024Reviewed

Last updated: 7 November 2018