Applications are open for a scholarship program helping build the next generation of Aboriginal allied health professionals, with a student on placement with the Mid North Coast Local Health District among those championing the cause.
Eligible students are being encouraged to apply for the 2027 NSW Aboriginal Allied Health Cadetship program, for an opportunity to enter the allied health workforce.
The NSW Government program enjoyed its most successful year ever in 2026, with 25 cadetships offered to candidates across a range of 23 allied health professions, including occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech pathology and pharmacy.
Successful candidates take part in a paid work placement at a NSW Health facility while continuing their studies, providing real-world experience.
This year, a pharmacist and two neuro psychologists joined the program for the first time, while it was also the first year rural cadets outnumbered their metropolitan colleagues.
One graduate of the Cadetship program is occupational therapy student Anna Westcott, who is now completing a placement with the Mid North Coast Local Health District as part of her course.
Ms Westcott said the Cadetship program gave her the chance to learn functional skills and techniques in a real-life environment, not just in a university setting.
“I have wanted to study occupational therapy since seeing my brother in sessions when I was about 10 years old,” Ms Westcott said.
“My brother was born at 23 weeks and was constantly in and out of hospital, so we were working closely with the OTs to work on him becoming more independent.
“I went to a few OT appointments with him and my mum and I remember them mostly working on fine motor skills and gross motor skills.
“Naturally, as a kid I loved the trampoline, ball pit and rope, all of the gross motor equipment, I think that is what actually drew me into OT.
“Contributing to Aboriginal representation in healthcare through the Aboriginal Allied Health Cadetship means I can support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to have a voice, increase participation, and a chance for leadership, within the allied health space.”
Minister for Health Ryan Park said the cadetships were an important way to support more Aboriginal allied health professionals to join the health workforce.
“This program provides real world healthcare experience to Aboriginal people studying one of the allied health disciplines, and we know in many cases it starts a long and successful career in the public health sector,” Mr Park said.
“It’s wonderful to see the program continue to grow, following its most successful year ever in 2026.”
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said the cadetships were an incredible opportunity for Aboriginal people to gain skills and experience that would 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,” Mr Harris said.
Applications close on Wednesday, 30 September.
More information and how to apply is available at health.nsw.gov.au/workforce/aboriginal
Social: A Mid North Coast placement student says a hospital stay with her baby brother set her on the path to occupational therapy, as applications open for the next Aboriginal Allied Health Cadetship intake.
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