2026 Graduate Nurse Program - Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Date: 19 Jan 2026

Location: 50 Flemington Rd, AU

Company: theroyalch

 

The Hospital:

The Royal Children’s Hospital’s (RCH) Vision is “A world where all kids thrive”.

RCH is a cornerstone member of the Melbourne Children’s Campus, partnering with Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, The University of Melbourne Department of Paediatrics and The Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation.

RCH has cared for the children and young people of Victoria for more than 150 years since it was founded in 1870. A full range of paediatrics and adolescent health services are provided plus tertiary and quaternary care for the most critically ill and medically complex patients in Victoria, Tasmania, southern NSW and other states around Australia and overseas. The Hospital has more than 6,000 staff, a budget of $850M, 12 wards and 350 beds. Annually, the RCH has 300,000+ Specialist Clinic appointments, 90,000+ Emergency Department presentations and 20,000 elective surgeries.

The RCH is committed to the Child Safe Standards

RCH enjoys high employee engagement and is committed to staff safety and a positive culture through enactment of our Compact.

For further Information on RCH is available here.

 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Graduate Nurse Program (GNP) 2026

 

Additional graduate nurse and/or midwife positions have become available at our health service, commencing this financial year (2025/26). These positions are open to graduates who are eligible for the PMCV 2025 graduate match and have thus far been unsuccessful in matching with a health service. Graduate Nurses and or Midwives who have already been allocated a position with a health service are ineligible to apply.  Health services may request a statutory declaration from applicants confirming they have not been allocated a position.  

 

About the Role:
Through a model of continuous learning and development in a safe and supportive environment our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Graduate Nurse Program aims to facilitate your transition from that of a newly graduated Registered Nurse to a competent and confident Registered Nurse. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Graduate Nurse Program is embedded into a comprehensive 2-year foundational paediatric nursing pathway which will provide you with the experience to grow your nursing skills, knowledge and expertise. During this two-year period you will complete 3 rotational clinical placements that incorporate medical, surgical and specialty nursing practice specific to our paediatric population. The second year aims to consolidate and advance competence, challenge you to contribute to excellent patient outcomes and encourage you to explore the career opportunities available within RCH.

 

The program is designed to promote:

  • Child focused family centred care
  • Competence in paediatric nursing practice
  • Engagement in critical questioning and reflective practice
  • Integration into effective multidisciplinary teams
  • Practice within the areas of medical, surgical and specialty wards and departments

 

Our program will include:

  • 2 year program (inclusive of a 12 month Graduate Program)
  • Part Time 0.8FTE
  • Orientation and Preceptorship
  • Mentorship, cultural support and peer learning to help you grow professionally and personally
  • Supernumerary time
  • Regular in-service and training

 

Application Process:

This is a Designated Position. Under Section 12 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic) and Section 8 (1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975, this position is only open to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants

Applications open: 20 January 2026
Close: 10 February 2026

 

Please include the following application documents:

Application Form:

This is available as a part of the online application process; you do not need to attach a cover letter as this form replaces the need for a cover letter.  Please ensure you complete the Graduate Nurse Application Form.
To download the Application Form, please click here 
(if you are experiencing issues completing the Application Form please try accessing it via Google Chrome).

Resume:

Your resume should be no longer than four pages and address the following:

  • Contact details (include full name, address, telephone number and email address)
  • Post-secondary school education history
  • Recent employment history (include responsibilities in each role)
  • Volunteer experience
  • Any further professional development undertaken
  • Professional memberships
  • No photo required on your resume

2nd and 3rd Year Appraisals:

  • Please provide only the appraisal pages 
  • Two appraisals are required, this must include one from your most recent placement 
    Include ANSAT assessment, student reflection page and comments by preceptor (both interim and final assessment)

Academic Transcripts:

  • Certified copy of your most recent transcripts 
  • Please include Grading Key

 

Note: Please ensure all documents are loaded into Application Documents section on the RCH careers site. If they are not loaded into this section, your application will be void.

 

To view the Position Description, please click here

 

For further information about this role please contact Nursing Education email: nursing.education@rch.org.au

 

Selection Process – GNP 2026:

Application documents submitted are assessed by the selection panel in line with the key selection criteria and used to shortlist suitable applicants for interview.  Applicants who are selected will be invited to an individual interview and are required to provide references. 
Applicants selected for an interview will be notified via email only.

 

Recruitment decisions will be merit based; however, priority consideration will be given to applicants:

  • who are Australian or New Zealand citizens or Australian permanent residents 
  • who have completed an approved nursing or midwifery program offered by a provider in Victoria or border community 
  • who are recipients of the Victorian Making it Free to Study Nursing and Midwifery initiative 

 

Successful applicants are subject to a satisfactory Police Check and a current Working with Children Check. Applicants will be required to provide their Australian Government COVID -19 Vaccination Certificate, as it is a requirement of the RCH to collect, record and hold vaccination information.

 

Why work at the RCH?

RCH enjoys high employee engagement and is committed to staff safety and a positive culture through enactment of our Compact. We offer the opportunity to work in world-class facilities, surrounded by Royal Park and only a short tram trip from the heart of Melbourne city.

We also offer discounted staff parking, salary packaging, and an award-winning health and wellbeing program.

The RCH is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from culturally and/or linguistically diverse background, all members of the LGBTQI community and people with disability.

It is a requirement of your employment that you be vaccinated against Influenza annually for Category A and B roles, in compliance with any public health orders in place at the relevant time, unless you have a medical exception in line with those public health orders, which has been accepted by The Royal Children’s Hospital.  Applicants will be required to provide their Australian Government Immunisation History Statement, it is a requirement of the RCH to collect, record and hold vaccination information.

It is also a requirement of your employment that you comply with any direction given by The Royal Children’s Hospital that you be vaccinated against, or prove immunity to, any other disease, unless you have a relevant exemption, and offers of employment are conditional on successful completion of background checks including reference checks. 

 

Are you ready to join our team? 

 Apply online by clicking on the “Apply” button

Applications close 10 February 2026.