Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cadet

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.

Job Title: Aboriginal Cadet Program (RUSON or AHA)

• Fixed Term (40 shifts)- flexible rostering around your university studies

• Work for Australia’s leading Children’s Hospital
• Excellent career progression

About the Role

Join the RCH Aboriginal Cadetship Program – Commencing Early 2026

Are you an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander student studying nursing or an allied health course at university? The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) invites you to apply for our Cadetship Program, designed to support your journey into health care.

As a cadet, you’ll complete 40 paid shifts (8 hours each) scheduled flexibly around your study commitments. This Fixed Term position places you within RCH, working alongside nurses or allied health professionals in a role tailored to your field of study.

We follow the RUSON model for nursing cadets and the Allied Health Assistant (AHA) model for allied health cadets. You’ll be supported every step of the way by a clinical supervisor, a cultural mentor, and a peer learning network. Plus, we offer paid leave for days of cultural significance that fall on your rostered shifts.

This is more than a paid placement—it’s a pathway to grow, connect, and thrive in a supportive environment.

What you’ll achieve:

• Hands-on experience in a leading paediatric hospital, aligned to your area of study
• Mentorship, cultural support, and peer learning to help you grow professionally and personally
• Opportunity to build your network to support your future work

Your skills and experience

• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students currently enrolled in nursing (Bachelor or Masters Nursing- undergraduate) or allied health university courses
• Passionate individuals committed to making a difference in the health and wellbeing of children and families

If this sounds like you, click here to view the position description for the AHA position and/or here to view the RUSON position.

What we offer:

• Parkville location and close to public transport
• Professional development and special events

Other requirements:

• Current National Criminal Record Check, or willing to obtain
• Valid Working with Children Check
• Compliance with RCHs “Staff Immunisation - Prevention of Vaccine Preventable Diseases” procedure

Application process

We are committed to supporting Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants through the process of application. If you’re interested but unsure where to start, we are here to help—please reach out before applying so we can support you with your application.

You will need to submit a resume and a cover letter with some brief information about you, your current studies and suitability for the position.

Shortlisting for this position will commence immediately, we encourage you to apply promptly!

For more information about this position please contact Michelle Rutherford (Director Nursing Education) michelle.rutherford@rch.org.au or Lucy Bucci (Allied Health Workforce Lead) lucy.bucci@rch.org.au

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 18 December 2025.