The FIFO initiative was introduced to bring in more experienced midwives to support our junior-heavy workforce at Dubbo. Here’s what you can expect:

• Shifts: The roster includes 6 x 12-hour shifts, typically split between 2–4-day shifts and the remaining as night shifts.
• Flights & Accommodation: We arrange and cover your flights. Accommodation is provided free of charge, with cooking facilities.
• Transport: Taxi transport between Dubbo Airport and your accommodation/hospital is covered, each way plus to and from shifts daily.
• LAFHA (Living Away from Home Allowance): You will receive a LAFHA of $165 per day for 7 days (6 shifts plus 1 travel day), totalling $1155 per rotation, claimed through iexpense post the days worked.
• Travel Allowance: An additional $150 is provided for car parking, or transport (train/bus) to the airport for your reflight to Dubbo per return swing, or there is the ability to claim a kilometre rate for the use of your own car – again tax free, claimed post the swing.
• Rotation Flexibility: You can opt for a 1-week-in-2 rotation or a 1-week-in-4 rotation, with flexibility around scheduling dates in advance.
• Employment Type: You will be employed as a casual under NSW Health rates, working a total of 72 hours over the 6 shifts.

Training and Clinical Areas:

As an NSW Health employee, there is an expectation to complete MHL/mandatory training, and we can accommodate Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) from other sectors if applicable.

In terms of clinical work, you’ll be placed either in the Birth Unit (4 birthing rooms and 2 assessment rooms) or on the antenatal/postnatal ward (17 beds combined). We also have a 4-bed Day Assessment Unit (DAU) and a MITH program; however, these are generally 8-hour shifts. To optimize your time and travel, we focus on the 6 x 12-hour shifts. That said, I am flexible—one of our FIFO staff members currently does a combination of weekend and weekday shifts, totalling 72 hours across 7 days, with travel on the 8th day. We also have 8 Midwifery lead Clinic days a week and a MAPPS program, plus 2 “high risk”/O & G lead ANC.

About Dubbo Hospital:

Dubbo Hospital is a Level 5 maternity service with a Level 4 Special Care Nursery (SCN). We manage approximately 1,250 births per year, covering a service area that spans roughly one-third of NSW, capturing a population of approximately 125,000. 50% of all births in our unit are of women who live outside of Dubbo and its 25km radius.