Voluntary Bonding Scheme

The Voluntary Bonding Scheme is an incentive payment Scheme that has been introduced by the Government to reward medical, midwifery, and nursing graduates who agree to work in hard-to-staff areas.

It is a practical initiative designed to move graduates into the communities and specialties that need them most.

Graduates who are part of the Scheme are eligible for incentive payments, intended to help repay their student loans, for up to five years. Combined with compulsory student loan deductions from graduate’s income, this will give individuals a significant boost in repaying their student loans. Those without a student loan are also eligible for the Scheme.

In order to receive payment, graduates must stay on the Scheme for three years and cannot stay on the Scheme for longer than five years.

In 2011, the Scheme is being offered to doctors, nurses and midwives. Voluntary Bonding may be considered for other specialties and communities in the years to come.

There are limited places available. To be eligible for one of those places, an applicant must be:

• a graduate from a New Zealand accredited tertiary institute; and
• willing to work in a hard-to-staff area for three to five years.

Further information, including the terms and conditions of the Scheme, is available on terms and conditions page.

For any questions regarding the Scheme please contact bonding@moh.govt.nz.