Cadetships

We offer cadetships to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who are completing their first undergraduate or postgraduate degree. The cadetships are available to:

  • second and third year nursing or business students
  • third and fourth year allied health students.

You'll take part in a range of different work experience opportunities across Children's Health Queensland. You’ll also have access to training, cultural mentors and peer support.

The cadetship is a temporary, part time opportunity and includes 12 weeks of paid work. The hours are flexible to fit around your studies.

Areas of study

Cadetships work across the following clinical areas.

  • Nursing
  • Occupational therapy
  • Physiotherapy
  • Radiology
  • Social work
  • Speech pathology

We also offer cadetships for the following corporate and business service areas.

  • Accounting and finance
  • Business management and administration
  • Communications
  • Data analytics
  • Information technology
  • Policy
  • Project management
  • Public health

Who can apply

To apply you must:

  • be of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent
  • identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
  • be accepted as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander in the community you live or have lived in.

The cadetships are identified positions under section 25 of the Anti-Discrimination Act.

You also need to be:

  • a full time student completing your first undergraduate or postgraduate degree
  • an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

How to apply

Our 2024 cadetship program opens in late September/early October.

When you apply, you’ll need to send us your academic transcript, resume and cover letter. Your cover letter should tell us:

  • your career goals
  • why you want to be part of the cadetship
  • how you think the cadetship will help your career.

Read how to write a resume and cover letter on the Queensland Health website.

Use our online form to register your interest. We’ll keep your information and let you know when applications open.

After you apply

We shortlist candidates based on merit. If we shortlist your application, we’ll invite you to an interview 4 to 6 weeks after you apply.

Pre-employment checks

There are some things we'll need to check before we can offer you a cadetship. You can read about pre-employment checks on the Queensland Health website to learn more.

Salary and remuneration

If you’re successful, your salary will be set according to your classification and status. View the wage rates on the Queensland Health website.

Health equity strategy

The cadetships fall within the Footprints Workforce program and demonstrate commitment to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Equity Strategy and the work still to be done. By increasing our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce we can improve culturally safe health care for children and young people.

Contact us

Email CHQ_footprints@health.qld.gov.au if you have questions about the cadetship.

Hear from past cadets

Chloe

Chloe

Fourth year student
Bachelor of Social Work


My experience has been eye opening, engaging, challenging and an overall deadly experience. Everyone I’ve worked with was supportive, encouraging and more than willing to yarn and answer my questions. CHQ has many partners and community organisations that support family centered care which helped increased my network and appreciation for interagency coordination. The cadetship also gave me insight into health disparities that exist for Indigenous Australians. It also gives a voice and platform to connect, brainstorm and develop new ideas to help close the gap. It's an invaluable experience to progress your learning, development and career.

Katelyn

Katelyn

Fourth year student
Bachelor of Speech Pathology


My experience has been enriching and given me the opportunity to learn from senior speech pathology professionals and work with different teams at CHQ. This helped me build my self-confidence, professionalism, and communication skills. The cadetship gave me hands on experience working with patients, experienced clinicians and a wide multidisciplinary team. I would hands down recommend completing a cadetship to anyone wanting to strengthen their understanding of topics in their area of study.

Last updated: October 2023