GradConnect

To apply for a position via GradConnect you must:

1. Be eligible for registration as an enrolled nurse, registered nurse and/or midwife with Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) (external site)
2. Be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident OR an Australian temporary resident with a valid visa and full-working rights for the duration of the graduate program.
3. Have completed nursing and/or midwifery studies after 01 January 2023. Preference will be given to those who completed their studies in Australia.
4. Previously not have participated in a graduate nursing or midwifery program in the stream the applicant is applying for.
   • Registered nurses, who have previously undertaken an enrolled nurse or a midwifery graduate program, are eligible to apply for a registered nurse graduate program.
   • Graduate midwives, who have previously undertaken an enrolled or registered nurse graduate program, are eligible to apply for a midwifery graduate program.

Additional information

1. We are committed to growing the Aboriginal workforce across WA Health. Section 51 of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 applies to all GradConnect vacancies. Aboriginal nurse and midwife graduates are strongly encouraged to apply.
2. Assessment of all applicants will be based on merit, with priority for appointment and interview given to domestic applicants who are Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, or New Zealand citizens.
3. If successful, the applicant is required to meet Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) English language standard through the English language test pathway, and will be required to submit evidence of passing this test to the hospital site no later than two (2) weeks prior to starting date.
4. If successful, the applicant will also need to meet the specific employment requirements of the hospital or health service where they will be working and must be registered with NMBA no less than two weeks prior to your start date.

Enrolled Nurses

If applying for a graduate enrolled nurse program, you must submit online a written application addressing the selection criteria below. When answering the selection criteria questions please use nursing examples from your clinical experiences to demonstrate your knowledge wherever possible. A 300-word limit applies to each question.

Please note: you may be asked questions relevant to all the selection criteria should you proceed to an interview.

1. Demonstrated clinical knowledge and experience in the delivery of evidence-based nursing care within clinical setting.
2. Demonstrated effective communication and conflict resolution skills within a clinical setting.

Please note that enrolled nurses are not required to upload a current Curriculum Vitae (CV) when completing their online application.

Registered Nurses

If applying for a graduate registered nurse program, you must submit online a written application addressing the selection criteria below. When answering the selection criteria questions please use nursing examples from your clinical experiences to demonstrate your knowledge wherever possible. A 300-word limit applies to each question.

Please note: you may be asked questions relevant to all the selection criteria should you proceed to an interview.

1. Demonstrated clinical knowledge and experience in the delivery of evidence-based nursing care within clinical setting.
2. Demonstrated effective communication and conflict resolution skills within a clinical setting.

Please note that registered nurses are not required to upload a current Curriculum Vitae (CV) when completing their online application.

Midwives

If applying for a graduate midwifery program, you must submit online a written application addressing each of the selection criteria below. When answering the selection criteria questions please use examples from your clinical experiences to demonstrate your knowledge wherever possible. A 400-word limit applies to each question.

Please note: you may be asked questions relevant to all the selection criteria should you proceed to an interview.

1. Demonstrates knowledge of and practices in accordance with NMBA's Professional Standards for the Midwife.
2. Demonstrates an understanding of and commitment to the provision of woman centred maternity care.
3. Demonstrates effective communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills within a multi-disciplinary team.

Please note that midwives must upload a current Curriculum Vitae (CV) when completing their online application.

GradConnect application dates

Applications will be open from 15 March 2024 (9:00am AWST) to 3 April 2024 (1:00pm AWST).  

Offers of employment

Offers of employment are made via the GradConnect online recruitment system.

It is your responsibility to be aware of the dates when offers are made, as you are required to accept, or decline offers in a specific time frame.

Applicants have the option to select two (2) preferences of where they would like to work in Western Australia.

Employment within the large metropolitan hospitals/health services is very competitive.

To increase your chances of employment in a graduate program, you are strongly encouraged to select a wide range of hospitals/sites and health sectors throughout Western Australia. Be aware that choosing the same preference more than once will not increase your chances of gaining employment within that health service.

First preferences

Offers to successful first preference applicants will be made available online and via email on 15 May 2024 at (12:00 pm noon AWST).

• Applicants have 2 days to respond to their offer and this must be completed online.
• Applicants who ACCEPT will be offered a contract with their first preference site.
• Applicants who DECLINE the first preference offer will exit the GradConnect application process.
• A second preference offer will not be available for applicants who decline a first preference offer.
• Applicants who decline a first preference offer will not remain in the pool for suitably qualified applicants.

Second preferences

Applicants who do not receive an offer from their first preference site may be considered for employment at their second preference site.

Offers to successful second preference applicants will be made available online and via email on 21 June 2024 at (12:00pm noon AWST).

• Applicants have 2 days to respond to their offer and this must be completed online
• Applicants who ACCEPT will be offered a contract with their second preference site
• Applicants who DECLINE the second preference offer will exit the GradConnect application process.
• Applicants who decline a second preference offer will not remain in the pool for suitably qualified applicants.

Pool preferences

Applicants who do not receive an offer from their first or second preference sites may be considered for employment by remaining in a recruitment pool for suitably qualified applicants.

• The panel will monitor this recruitment pool for applications and will access as required. Every effort will be made to accommodate your pool preference.
• Appointments may be made from this pool until February 2025.

Start dates

The graduate program start dates for each hospital and health service vary. You are encouraged to thoroughly research all programs.

Some hospitals or health services may offer graduate programs part-time. You should discuss this with each hospital or health service at interview.

If you are offered a graduate position and are not able to start at the agreed start date, you will need to advise the relevant person (or people) at the hospital or health service as soon as possible.

If you wish to defer your start date, you will need to negotiate this with the individual health service. Be aware that they may not be able to accommodate such requests and may advise you to re-apply through GradConnect the following year.

We are committed to providing a culturally inclusive and safe workplace and Aboriginal people are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applying for a graduate position through GradConnect is an excellent opportunity for Aboriginal graduates. It can give you the start you need for your future career in the nursing and or midwifery profession and enhance your transition into clinical practice.

Candidate Support

The Chief Nursing and Midwifery Office offers candidate support for Aboriginal applicants applying for a graduate position through GradConnect. To access this, contact the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Office – GradConnect Team and register for the Aboriginal candidate information and support session.

Assistance with your application are also available by contacting:

• Jobs and Skills WA on 13 64 64
• The Centre for Aboriginal Studies located at your university or education training institution

The terms and conditions of WA Health Employment (Public) are in accordance with the following industrial agreements:

• WA Health System – United Workers Union (WA) – Enrolled Nurses, Assistants in Nursing, Aboriginal Health Workers, Ethnic Health Workers and Aboriginal Health Practitioners Industrial Agreement 2022 (1.53MB)
• WA Health System – Australian Nursing Federation – Registered Nurses, Midwives, Enrolled (Mental Health) and Enrolled (Mothercraft) Nurses – Industrial Agreement 2020 (PDF 2MB)

Undertaking a graduate program is not mandatory for initial or ongoing employment. Once you are registered to practise as an enrolled nurse, registered nurse, and/ or midwife, you are able to gain employment in any health facility within Australia.

Graduate programs have been designed to offer additional support for novice nurses and midwives, to assist their transition to the professional role within busy clinical environments. Places within these structured graduate programs are capped for a range of reasons. You can still gain valuable experience outside of a designated graduate program.