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Career pathways
At Gold Coast Health, there are many ways to start your journey in health. Whether you’re at school, studying, graduating, or already working, we offer a wide range of jobs, traineeships, internships, scholarships and training opportunities to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples at every stage of their career journey. A career in health isn’t just about doctors and nurses. We also have roles across administration, research, IT, business, corporate services, communications, allied health and more. Whatever your interests or strengths, there’s a pathway where you can make a real difference for community.
“Gold Coast Health has given me the opportunity to start my career as a First Nations medical intern. I’m proud to be part of a team where I can contribute to culturally responsive care and make a real difference for my community." – Juliette, First Nations Medical Intern, Gold Coast Health
Find your pathway into health
Where you’re at |
Opportunities available |
School student |
Scholarships, Deadly Start, school-based traineeships, QATSIF |
Undergraduate student |
Cadetships, LEAP internships |
VET / TAFE / University student |
Scholarships, Cadetships, LEAP internships, U-me Koola Program and training support |
Graduate |
Graduate programs, Intern pathways |
Not sure yet |
Career guidance and support |
School students
Gold Coast Health School-based scholarship
Gold Coast Health, in partnership with the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation (QATSIF), offers an educational scholarship to eligible students to support their senior secondary education. These scholarships help students focus on their learning, setting them up for success in senior schooling and beyond. The scholarship provides:
- $2000 in funding ($500 per semester) across years 11 and 12 to assist students with educational expenses.
- An additional $600 to help with getting a driver’s licence and IT equipment.
Contact QATSIF for more information:
Email: enquiries@qatsif.org.au or Phone: (07) 3257 1777
Deadly Start school-based traineeships – both clinical and non-clinical paid
If you’re starting Year 11, Deadly Start can help you get a head start in a health career. Earn, learn and explore a career in health while completing your senior studies through a school-based traineeship. Offering paid work one day a week for a year gaining you hands-on experience in health, the program also contributes points towards your Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE).
Deadly Start traineeships are available across the following professions, with students placed depending on their area of study:
- Certificate III Business – Administration, Finance, Learning and Development, Communications, Project Support.
- Certificate III Health Service Assistance - Assistant in Nursing, Operating Theatre Assistant, Medical Imaging Assistant
- Certificate III Allied Health Assistance - Clinical Assistant - Allied Health
Explore Deadly Start traineeships Careers.
Email: qhdeadlystart@health.qld.gov.au
School-based traineeships – (both clinical and non-clinical paid)
Gold Coast Health's School-Based Traineeship program offers high school students paid work experience while completing a Certificate III qualifications in a health-related field. Students attend one day week during schools term, with potential for extra hours in holiday. This a great opportunity to kick-start your career.
Email: GCH.StudentPlacements@health.qld.gov.au
U-me Koola Program (Health Worker and Health Practitioner traineeships)
The U-me Koola Program offers full-time paid traineeships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to become Health Workers or Health Practitioners, combining vocational study, mentoring and culturally safe support. Learn more about U-me Koola Program.
Email: GCH.StudentPlacements@health.qld.gov.au
Undergraduate students
Queensland Health Cadetships
The Cadetship program offers part-time, paid employment for First Nations students completing full-time tertiary studies, providing on-the-job experience in their chosen field. Cadets are employed temporary part time and work flexible hours around their placements and can join at any stage of their degree, continuing through to graduation. Cadetship positions are available in their chosen field of study — both clinical and non-clinical — helping build skills and improve employment opportunities after graduation. Professions include:
✦ Nursing ✦ Midwifery ✦ Allied Health ✦ Administration ✦ Corporate Services
Register your interest and learn more about Queensland Health Cadetships, email: QHCadetship@health.qld.gov.au
Non-Clinical Internship Program (LEAP)
The Learning Experience and Academic Placement (LEAP) program provides university and TAFE students with real-world experience in non-clinical role. It provides participants with valuable industry experience while supporting team outcomes and staff development through mentoring and supervision opportunities. Gold Coast Health offers two LEAP intakes per year. Each intake consists of 1 day per week placement for 12 weeks. This timeframe can be negotiated based on the work area's requirements.
✦ Intake 1: March - May ✦ Intake 2: September - December
Disciplines |
Placements available |
Information Technology |
Software Development, Computing/Programming |
Business |
Human Resources, Administration, Management, Learning and Development, Logistics and Supply Chain |
Humanities and Arts |
Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, Creative Writing, Languages |
Tourism and Events |
Event Management, Marketing, Hospitality |
Law |
Legal Studies, Governance, Risk and Assurance |
Commerce |
Accounting, Economics, Finance |
Find out more information about LEAP via email: GCH.StudentPlacements@health.qld.gov.au
Graduate
Queensland Health offers a range of clinical and non-clinical graduate programs designed to help you transition from study into a rewarding career in health. Explore graduate programs.
Allied Health First Nations new graduate pathway
A two-year graduate pathway providing cultural mentoring, professional development, and tailored support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander allied health graduates. Learn more about the Allied Health First Nations graduate pathway.
Indigenous Intern Pathway
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical graduates can apply through the Indigenous Intern Pathway, offering culturally supported entry into medical practice. Learn more about Indigenous Intern Pathway.
Medical Interns
Gold Coast Health employs first-year medical graduates on 12-month temporary contracts. As a provider of intern training in Queensland, we offer valuable learning and development opportunities. Important links:
- Everything you need to know about joining us as an intern.
- Application dates and information about Queensland Health intern recruitment.
Certificate III in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care
Offered by TAFE Queensland, this course provides core skills to work as part of a multidisciplinary team in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, clinics, and health care settings. View course details, click here.
Vocational education, training and university students
Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship
Supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students undertaking vocational education, training or university study. Full scholarship details, click here.
- Scholarship benefits include $15,000 per annum
- Applications open yearly and close in October each year
Email: admin@iaha.com.au
Lowitja O'Donoghue Foundation
Supports young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people pursuing careers in nursing and the public sector, with expanded scholarship opportunities available. Learn more about the Lowitja O’Donoghue Foundation.
Email: lowitjaadmin@lowitja.org.au
Career support and guidance
✦Choose your own health career: Not sure where to start? Explore different career options on the Choose Your Own Health Career website.
✦First Nations health workforce: Learn more about roles, career pathways and opportunities within the First Nations health workforce. Explore First Nations health careers.
✦Aurora Education Foundation: The Aurora Education Foundation supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from high school through to university and into the workplace, with access to over 150 scholarships. Learn more about Aurora Education Foundation.
✦Queensland Government support: Find scholarships, training and financial assistance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students across a wide range of careers. Explore Queensland Government support here.
✦What's it like to work for the public health system.
Gold Coast Health commitment
At Gold Coast Health, we value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff for their cultural knowledge, lived experience and leadership. Their contributions are vital to delivering culturally responsive care and improving health outcomes for our communities.
We are committed to growing a strong First Nations workforce by providing culturally safe workplaces, meaningful career pathways, and ongoing development and support.
This commitment is guided by our First Nations Health Equity Strategy which outlines our actions to embed First Nations health equity across the organisation and work towards life expectancy parity by 2031.
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Need help or have a question
For general enquiries about First Nations career pathways at Gold Coast Health, email goldcoasthealth@health.qld.gov.au.
