The Next Generation of Indigenous Health Professionals

For the past 8 years, AFL SportsReady has proudly partnered with Queensland Health to deliver one of Australia's most successful Indigenous Cadetship Programs, supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander university students to build meaningful careers in the health sector. The partnership is designed to create genuine pathways into employment by connecting Indigenous undergraduate students with paid, real-world work experience while they complete their studies. Through clinical and corporate placements across Queensland Health hospitals and health services, cadets gain invaluable practical experience, develop professional networks and build the confidence to transition into their chosen careers. The program is proudly supported through the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) Indigenous Cadetship Program, with AFL SportsReady responsible for delivering the program, ensuring eligible students receive both practical employment opportunities and the financial and pastoral support required to successfully complete their studies. Together, Queensland Health and AFL SportsReady are helping develop the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals who will strengthen Queensland's healthcare workforce and improve health outcomes for Indigenous communities across the state.

Like many organisations across Australia, Queensland Health recognised the need to increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation across its workforce while creating meaningful pathways into long-term professional careers. Although many Indigenous students commence tertiary study in health-related disciplines, balancing university commitments with financial pressures and gaining relevant industry experience can present significant barriers to completing their qualifications and successfully transitioning into employment. Queensland Health identified an opportunity to address these challenges by providing students with meaningful paid employment, practical workplace experience and exposure to one of Australia's largest and most diverse health systems while they were still studying. The program also contributes to Queensland Health's broader commitment to growing a culturally capable workforce that better reflects the communities it serves.

As Queensland Health's Indigenous Cadetship partner, AFL SportsReady manages the delivery of the Indigenous Cadetship Program from recruitment, onboarding through to completion. Working closely with Queensland Health and the National Indigenous Australians Agency, AFL SportsReady provides comprehensive program management and ongoing support to ensure both students and Queensland Health achieve the best possible outcomes. Our responsibilities include: • Recruiting and attracting eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander university students from across Queensland. • Assessing candidate eligibility and managing all onboarding requirements. • Administering employment arrangements and program compliance. • Coordinating the NIAA-funded study and book allowances that help reduce financial barriers while students undertake university studies. • Providing ongoing mentoring, pastoral care and regular check-ins throughout each cadetship. • Supporting both students and Queensland Health throughout the placement, ensuring a positive experience for all stakeholders. By removing many of the administrative and program management responsibilities from Queensland Health, AFL SportsReady enables the organisation to focus on what it does best—providing exceptional workplace learning opportunities and mentoring future health professionals.

Queensland Health cadets are employed as temporary part-time employees over a 12-month period while completing their undergraduate degree. During this time, cadets undertake 60 days of paid work placement within Queensland Health facilities across the state, including hospitals, health services and corporate business areas. The program provides students with the opportunity to: • Apply their university learning in real workplace environments. • Develop technical and professional skills. • Build confidence and workplace capability. • Establish valuable professional networks. • Receive mentoring from experienced healthcare professionals. • Strengthen their employment prospects upon graduation. Importantly, cadets also receive additional financial support through the NIAA Indigenous Cadetship Program, including study and book allowances that assist students to remain engaged in their studies while balancing employment commitments.

The Queensland Health Indigenous Cadetship Program continues to deliver significant outcomes for both students and the broader Queensland health system. Since its commencement, the program has: • Supported more than 300 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander university students through Indigenous Cadetships. • Supported approximately 80 active cadets during 2026, making it one of the largest Indigenous Cadetship Programs delivered nationally. • Created a sustainable pipeline of Indigenous health professionals entering Queensland Health across a broad range of clinical and corporate disciplines. • Enabled many graduates to transition directly into ongoing employment with Queensland Health following completion of their university studies. Beyond the numbers, the program has become an important workforce strategy for Queensland Health, strengthening Indigenous representation across the organisation while creating culturally safe career pathways for future health professionals. The success of the program has also been recognised more broadly across government. Queensland Health has publicly celebrated the achievements of its Indigenous Cadets and the positive impact the program is having on developing the state's future Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce, reinforcing the importance of investing in long-term career pathways and leadership opportunities.

The partnership between Queensland Health, AFL SportsReady and the National Indigenous Australians Agency demonstrates what can be achieved when government agencies work together to create sustainable employment pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Rather than focusing solely on recruitment, the program invests in students throughout their university journey—providing employment, financial assistance, mentoring and workplace experience that positions them for long-term career success. As demand for skilled health professionals continues to grow, the Indigenous Cadetship Program will remain a critical initiative in developing the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clinicians, allied health professionals and corporate leaders who will help shape Queensland's health system for years to come.