WA Health acknowledges the Aboriginal people of the many traditional lands and language groups of Western Australia. It acknowledges the wisdom of Aboriginal Elders both past and present and pays respect to Aboriginal people and communities of today.

Have you graduated in 2024 or going to in 2025? Looking for an exciting job to kick start your career and build a strong, solid future? Unlock your career potential by joining our Aboriginal Graduate Program – Our Future Our Way.

WA Health is in search of Aboriginal university graduates with a broad range of degrees, disciplines, skills and backgrounds to join our 900-strong Aboriginal workforce. We need graduates to fill all types of health and non-health related graduate roles, in both metropolitan and regional areas.

Designed and culturally tailored specifically for Aboriginal graduates, the WA Health Aboriginal Graduate Program offers a two-year graduate employment program with an attractive salary and support to transition to permanent employment.

We take great pride to match a graduate’s degree and career aspirations to an assigned placement. We offer graduates diverse work placements across relevant work areas, projects and teams with access to learning and development training. Graduates will have the opportunity to move placements throughout the two years and gain experience in different areas of the health service.

WA Health embraces diversity and is committed to building a strong, skilled and growing Aboriginal workforce. We value and respect the cultural knowledge and unique skills of our Aboriginal workforce. We are dedicated to creating a culturally safe and supportive workplace, free of racism.

Eligibility to Apply: Pursuant of Section 50(d) of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984, the occupant of this position must be of Aboriginal descent.

“I applied for a WA Health Graduate Program because I wanted to put my knowledge gained throughout my university degree to work and hopefully make a difference to the health outcomes of Aboriginal people in my community. I wanted to broaden my career opportunities within the WA health sector and to be a role model for my family and community. I was able to kick start a rewarding career in health, create strong networks and I was able to be exposed to some really important work that is happening in the health sector.

For those thinking of applying, I say don’t hesitate… you won’t regret it. This program will open up so many doors for you and your future career. You’ll help build a culturally strong health system and you will make your family and community proud.”

Oniké Williams, Aboriginal Graduate Officer 2019

What does the graduate program offer?

• Job and financial security with an attractive two-year fixed term employment contract with WA Health.
• A graduate experience that aligns to your degree and employment interests.
• Access to structured learning and development programs aimed at building your career pathway and increasing your knowledge of the public sector and the WA health system.
• Cultural mentoring and career coaching.
• Opportunities to gain experience and knowledge in a variety of work areas, including through workplace rotations, rurally and in the metropolitan areas.
• Interact and network with fellow graduates who can provide insights, support and friendship.
• A culturally safe and supportive workplace.
• Flexible working and leave arrangements to balance work, family, and cultural obligations.
• Support to transition to permanent employment on completion of the graduate program.

Who are we looking for?

WA Health is committed to growing its Aboriginal health workforce by employing 2024 and 2025 graduates from diverse fields of study, including but not limited to:

• degrees such as law, business and commerce, finance, data and computer science, HR, management, communications, arts, education, economics, humanities, marketing, social science
• health-related degrees in allied health and health science professions, psychology, public health, mental health, biomedical sciences, health promotion, social work and many more
• well-rounded graduates who are innovative thinkers, self-motivated and team players
• good communicators who show a commitment to continuous learning and developing their skills.

How does the Aboriginal Graduate Talent Register work?

This is a Recruitment Pool for Fixed Term Full Time and Fixed Term Part Time appointments for up to two years (24 months) with the possibility of permanency at the end of the program.

• Applicants have until 30 May 2025 to apply for the Graduate Program.
• Suitable applicants will then be placed in a Pool from which appointments will be made to the Aboriginal Graduate Program and/or similar vacancies when they arise across WA Health. Appointments can be made from this Pool until 31 December 2026.
• You only need to register your interest once, and your application will remain on our Aboriginal Graduate Talent Register until 31 December 2026, after which time you will need to reapply.
• The register is monitored, and applicants may be contacted if a graduate opportunity or similar vacancy arises suiting your skills, experience, and qualification.

Please be aware there is no guarantee that an offer of employment will be made while an application remains on the register.

Location

Applicants assessed as suitable through the register may be used to fill graduate vacancies in one of the WA Health organisations including:

• Department of Health (DoH)
• East Metropolitan Health Service (EMHS)
• North Metropolitan Health Service (NMHS)
• South Metropolitan Health Service (SMHS)
• Child and Adolescent Health Service (CAHS)
• WA Country Health Service (WACHS; opportunities exist in Central Office located in Perth and in regional placements)
• Health Support Services (HSS)
• PathWest (PathWest)

Am I eligible for the Aboriginal Graduate Program?

To be considered for the graduate program, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
• Have successfully completed or will complete a tertiary qualification from a recognised university, with a completion date (not graduation ceremony date) between January 2024 and December 2025. The tertiary qualification must be a minimum of an undergraduate degree.
• By the commencement of the Aboriginal Graduate Program, have no more than 12 months full-time employment experience post-graduation that is relevant to your qualification.

What Graduate employee benefits are available?

In addition to a highly attractive salary package for the two-year duration of the program, our graduates enjoy an amazing range of benefits which may include (in line with operational requirements):

• 11.5% employer contributed superannuation into a fund of your choice (due to increase to 12% on 1 July 2025). For further information click here.
• Professional development and networking opportunities, in addition to the required graduate program learning and development training.
• Flexible leave and working arrangements.
• Leave entitlements such as annual leave, personal leave, and cultural leave.
• Access to salary packaging arrangements (in accordance with relevant industrial instruments)
• Access to a culturally safe Employment Assistance Program and Aboriginal counselling support.

How to Apply

When you are ready to submit your application, please click on the “Apply” button above. You will be asked to complete an online application form, where you can provide a brief response to Graduate Application Questions, and attach the following documents to the application:

1. Current resume/CV and cover letter - which summarises your experience and includes the name and contact details of two people who can provide either a work or character reference for you.
2. Statement addressing essential selection criteria 1 - 5 as outlined in the Aboriginal Graduate Officer Position Description (no more than 2-3 pages).
3. Proof of graduation or soon to graduate in an undergraduate or postgraduate degree at a recognised university.
4. Academic transcript clearly identifying your full name, university and Weighted Average Mark.

These documents should be completed and ready to attach before applying online. Please ensure you allow plenty of time to complete the online application process, including the Graduate Application Questions, and attach all your documentation. Applicants must have a valid email address in order to apply online. This email address will be used for communication with applicants.

Applicants are required to apply online by 4.00pm, Friday 30 May 2025.

Lodgement is system generated. Any submissions on, or after this time will not be accepted.

Application notes

• Please ensure you allow sufficient time to complete the online application, including completing all questions and uploading supporting documentation.
• You will be able to save your application online and continue to update your information by logging into the Job Board while the advertisement is still open.
• Emailed applications or applications received after the closing date and time WILL NOT be accepted.
• Referees may also be asked to comment on an applicant's integrity and past demonstration of ethical behaviour. It is preferable for your referee to be a current or former supervisor or lecturer/tutor.

Other conditions

WA Health engages staff in positions of trust and responsibility. WA Health policies require applicants to undertake criminal records screening and integrity checking as part of the appointment process.

If you have access needs requiring adjustments to allow full participation in the recruitment process, or require alternative communication methods, you have an opportunity to share this information within the online application.

If you experience difficulties while applying online, please contact Health Support Services on 13 44 77 for immediate assistance during business hours.

Further information

If you wish to discuss this graduate opportunity or have any questions about applying, contact Emily McDonald, Senior Aboriginal Health Program Officer at the Department of Health, on 6376 0527 or [email protected].