Department of Health Aboriginal Cadetship

WA Health is Western Australia’s public health system and is responsible for delivering health services across metropolitan, regional and remote areas of the state.

With more than 55,000 employees supporting a population of almost 3 million people, WA Health is the largest health system in the state and one of the largest public sector workforces in Western Australia.

WA Health acknowledges the Aboriginal people of the many traditional lands and language groups of Western Australia. We pay respect to Aboriginal Elders past and present and recognise the importance of Aboriginal people and communities in shaping culturally safe health services.

We are committed to growing a strong, skilled Aboriginal health workforce and creating a culturally safe and inclusive workplace where diversity is valued and racism is not tolerated.

The Aboriginal Cadetship Program supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander university students to gain paid work experience while studying an undergraduate or postgraduate degree.

The program provides opportunities to develop job‑ready skills, apply learning in a workplace setting and build strong personal and professional support networks, while laying foundations for a future career in the WA public health sector.

Cadets are employed on a 12 month part time contract, with the possibility of extensions for the duration of their studies. Cadets complete 52 workdays over 12 months, equivalent to 1 day per week, and attend mandatory professional development and networking events.

This program provides a supported pathway into future employment and graduate development opportunities within the WA health sector.

What you will work on

Cadets are placed in meaningful roles aligned to their field of study and areas of interest. Placements may include work across a wide range of health and corporate functions, supporting teams that deliver services to communities across Western Australia.

You will gain practical workplace experience while developing professional skills that support your transition into the workforce after graduation.

The Aboriginal Cadetship Program is for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who are interested in building a meaningful career in health.

You are encouraged to apply if you are:

• motivated to learn and develop job‑ready skills
• interested in contributing to better health outcomes for the community
• keen to apply your studies in a workplace setting
• looking to build professional networks and career pathways in health.

Applicants from all fields of study are encouraged to apply, including but not limited to health, social sciences, business, communications, information technology, finance, human resources, education and related disciplines.

Eligibility requirements

Pursuant to section 50(d) of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984, Aboriginality is a genuine occupational qualification for this position.

To be eligible, you must:

• identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
• be enrolled in a full‑time undergraduate or postgraduate degree at a recognised university
• have completed at least 1 semester and have a minimum of 2 semesters remaining
• be able to commit to 52 days of work over a 12 month period
• meet Australian citizenship or permanent residency requirements.

For further information about the Aboriginal Cadetship Program, contact:

Emily McDonald
Senior Aboriginal Health Program Officer
Department of Health
(08) 6373 2862
emily.mcdonald@health.wa.gov.au