Apply now! 2026 First Nations cadetships

Two of Townsville Hospital and Health Service’s First Nations cadets have helped put the call out for people to apply for next year’s intake.

 Queensland Health’s First Nations Cadetship Program has opened applications for 2026, and occupational therapy student Seth-John Livock-Tolhurst and speech pathology student Melony Carter opened up about their experience of the program so far.

 “The cadetship has helped me take what I’m in learning the classroom and apply it to my day-to-day practice,” Seth said.

 “I’m also taking the lessons learned from the workplace back to uni, which helps my understanding of the fundamentals of OT and how to frame it in a patient-centred way.”

 Melony agreed that it was valuable being able to experience the real world while she studied.

 “It’s been really helpful to have qualified and capable speech pathologists helping me; I can ask them questions and get practical answers from them,” she said.

 Seth said he was inspired to study occupational therapy after seeing how they helped his grandmother.

 “When my nan had cancer and suffered a stroke, the OT helped her regain her independence,” Seth said.

 “It really sat with me how occupational therapy is such a broad degree, and I can help make a difference in people’s lives.”

 Melony said she became interested in speech pathology when she worked as an allied health assistant in Wagga Wagga.

 “There was one particular man, a Pacific Islander, and English was his second language,” she said.

 “He suffered the worst stroke, and I worked with him across a range of disciplines; watching him re-learn how to speak his second language and all of the areas of the brain that are involved was fascinating.”

 Students are also given cultural support, something Seth and Melony valued highly.

 “I’m able to debrief with other First Nations cadets and staff, which helps me keep a positive outlook,” Seth said.

 “I don’t have a lot of community connection here because my mob’s from down south,” Melony said.

 “Coming up here and doing this cadetship and meeting all of these people is like finding a community again which has been really lovely.”

 Indigenous workforce coordinator Alisha Kyle said this is the third year Townsville HHS has hosted First Nations students through the cadetship program.

 “Over the years, we have welcomed cadets across a range of disciplines, including physiotherapy, medical imaging, social work, nursing & midwifery, occupational therapy, and speech pathology,” she said.

 “We are incredibly proud of each cadet; their dedication and commitment to their future careers are truly inspiring.

 “Cadets are supported through a holistic wrap-around approach, involving their universities, professional teams, the statewide First Nations training pathways program, and locally the Indigenous health service division.

 “Together, we are building a strong and culturally safe First Nations health workforce for the future.”

 Expressions of interest for the First Nations cadetship program are now open. For more information contact Alisha Kyle on 07 4433 0083 or alisha.kyle@health.qld.gov.au to yarn more about this opportunity.

Apply here for midwifery, nursing, allied health, or administration cadetships.