Program description

The Aboriginal Cadetship Program offers Aboriginal nursing, midwifery and allied health students an opportunity to participate in paid work experience within a Victorian public health service. The program supports students in developing work readiness skills and building professional contacts within a culturally safe environment. Funding is available to health services through an Expression of Interest process.

Program eligibility

Cadets must meet the following criteria:

·         Be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent

·         Are enrolled in a nursing, midwifery or allied health course that leads to a nationally recognised qualification

·         Have progressed beyond first year of study

·         Maintain a pass grade in all subjects

·         Currently reside in Victoria or a cross-border community as outlined in the program guidelines

Funding access and allocation

Public health services that meet the eligibility criteria can access funding through an Expression of Interest (EOI) process.

Funding of up to $20,000 per Aboriginal nursing, midwifery or allied health cadet is provided to health services to support cadets employed in the program. Funding contributes to salary, program establishment costs, provision of additional support structures (such as clinical supervision and mentoring), recruitment and evaluation. The contribution towards workforce salary should not exceed $15,000.