Canberra Health Services (CHS) will welcome 472 new health professional graduates in 2026, with 339 starting in the first intake and a further 133 nurses and midwives set to commence throughout the year.
The 339 new graduates joining CHS now include:
- 195 nurses
- 28 midwives
- 94 junior medical interns
- 22 allied health graduates
Minister for Health, Rachel Stephen-Smith, said the new graduates will play a vital role in strengthening the ACT's growing public health workforce.
"I am encouraged to see so many graduates from the ACT, across Australia, and overseas choosing to start their health careers at Canberra Health Services," Minister Stephen Smith said.
"These new nurses, midwives, doctors and allied health professionals will play a key role in ensuring our health system can continue delivering safe, patient centred care at a time when demand for health services is increasing right across the country."
The graduates will gain exposure to a broad range of specialties and work rotations across Canberra Hospital, North Canberra Hospital, University of Canberra Hospital, mental health, justice health, outpatient clinics, community health centres and in rural NSW.
Minister Stephen-Smith said graduates are supported with high quality education and strong workplace culture.
"Our graduates are supported by experienced clinicians and have access to great teaching, state of the art infrastructure and modern equipment to help them deliver the high-quality care Canberrans deserve," Minister Stephen Smith said.
"We know from experience that once our graduates get a taste of working in CHS and living in our wonderful city, many will choose to stay and build their career here."
Canberra Health Services continues to achieve strong medical intern retention, with 85% of the 2025 medical intern workforce remaining in the ACT to complete their Resident Medical Officer year.
"The breadth of experience our new graduates gain across multiple settings is invaluable as they develop the skills and confidence to care for anyone who needs our public health services," the Minister said.
This workforce growth is supported by the ACT Government's $2.9 billion investment into the Health system through the 2025-26 Budget, which is expanding and strengthening access to high quality public health services for the Canberra community.
"I warmly welcome all our new graduates joining the Canberra Health Services team," Minister Stephen Smith said.
"With the mentorship, structured learning pathways and professional development opportunities available through our graduate programs, I am confident they will be getting a great start in careers that are rewarding, challenging and fulfilling."
Quotes attributable to Isabella Turns, nurse graduate (paediatric):
"I'm beyond excited to start my career at Canberra Hospital in paediatrics and can't wait to create connections with my nursing colleagues and the rest of the team.
"The vision, role, and values of Canberra Hospital strongly aligned with the type of nurse I strive to be, so applying to be a part of such a supportive program was an easy decision to make.
"Moving from Queensland to start my career here was daunting, however if my graduate year is going to be anything like my first week, I know I am going to be fully supported, motivated, and become the most competent nurse I can be."
Quotes attributable to Dr Olivia Taifalos, medical Intern (respiratory):
"As an intern who started my first rotation in the Respiratory Team at Canberra Hospital a couple of weeks ago, I have had a great introduction to full time work. The team has been incredibly supportive, and I have learnt a lot.
"I chose to remain in Canberra working at CHS after completing my medical school studies at ANU, where I was able to do placements across the ACT region, including a year on the South Coast NSW and in Canberra Hospital.
"I have really enjoyed my time in Canberra during university. I am very excited to work with my friends and other ANU graduates who are also staying in Canberra this year. I am also looking forward to meeting new interns from overseas and interstate and am eager to work in a system that I became familiar with during medical school.
"In the future, I hope to work as a rural GP and so am very happy to have the opportunity to do one of my rotations in Rural General Practice in Bega this year."
Quotes attributable to Nate Thompson, allied health graduate (social work):
"Starting any new job can be hard, but the New Graduate Program is designed to make sure I get support and a lot of opportunities to expand and deepen my understanding of Social Work.
"I'm really excited to have finished my degree and go out into the workplace. I'm honoured to be a part of a team that provides crucial services and supports to some of the most vulnerable members of our community."
