Eligible students are encouraged to get their applications in for the 2025 NSW Aboriginal Allied Health Cadetship program for an opportunity to enter the allied health workforce.
The NSW Government program offers successful candidates a paid work placement at a NSW Health facility while they continue studying to provide them with real-world experience.
Previous cadets have received placements in local health districts and speciality networks across the NSW public health system, in a diversity of roles, including social work, paediatric speech pathology and food and nutrition.
The Government developed the program to both increase the number of Aboriginal allied health professionals working in the NSW Health system and boost career development opportunities.
The most recent Bureau of Health Information Insights report released on Wednesday (24 September 2025) reflects the experiences of more than 12,000 Aboriginal patients across NSW public hospitals in urban and rural areas between 2019 and 2024. The report showed
Aboriginal patients' hospital care experiences were significantly more positive when they had the support of an Aboriginal health worker.
In 2024, more than eight in 10 Aboriginal patients or 86 per cent also rated their overall care as 'very good' or 'good'.
One graduate of the Cadetship program is social worker Zoe Smart, the first Aboriginal Allied Health Cadet in Central Coast Local Health District's Mental Health Team.
Ms Smart is helping pave the way for future Aboriginal social workers to work within NSW Health.
Applications close on 30 September, for more information and to apply visit: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/workforce/aboriginal/Pages/allied-health-cadetship-program.aspx.
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty and Medical Research David Harris said:
"I am proud to be part of a government that is enabling more Aboriginal people to undertake a rewarding allied health career in the country's leading health system.
"It's an incredible opportunity for Aboriginal people to gain skills and experience that will serve them throughout their lives.
"These scholarships will give Aboriginal people greater access to education which will also lead to positive health outcomes for communities, and these are two vital components of closing the gap."
Aboriginal Allied Health Cadet Zoe Smart said:
"The Cadetship is an amazing opportunity for emerging practitioners. I've been supported to network and build a future career in NSW Health. Stronger representation for our people in the NSW Health system is necessary. If we had more cadets, we'd see real change.
"As an emerging Wiradyuri social worker, I truly recognise the important role that cultural connection, identity and language plays in keeping mob safe, strong, and healthy.
"This means increasing the cultural compatibility of care when working alongside patients and appreciating that everyone's experience of identity or connection is different."
