Frequently asked questions about the NSW Aboriginal Population Health Training Initiative

On this page

  1. About the training program
  2. About the Master of Public Health
  3. Eligibility
  4. Employment
  5. Applying for a traineeship
  6. Further information

About the training program

  • ​The APHTI is a three-year full-time workplace-based training program in population health coordinated by the NSW Ministry of Health.

    The APHTI is a collaboration between trainees, graduates, NSW health services and the Ministry.

  • ​Trainees rotate through a series of supervised work placements within a NSW health service.  

    Trainees develop skills and knowledge in a range of competency areas outlined in the NSW APHTI Competency Framework​. 

    Trainees also complete a Master of Public Health degree part-time at a university of their choice in NSW.

  • ​Traineeships are available in health services across NSW, however only a small number of traineeships are offered each year. 

    Traineeships will be advertised on this website. If there are no traineeships listed it means that no traineeships are currently available.

  • ​Yes. Completion of the Master of Public Health degree is a compulsory part of the traineeship.

    If you successfully complete the program, you will also receive a certificate of completion from the NSW Ministry of Health.

  • ​It is your responsibility to find a job after your traineeship ends. We can provide you with advice and support to help you do this.

    More than 90% of program graduates find jobs in NSW Health immediately after completing the program. Employment options depend on a range of factors such as funding and availability of positions, and your skills and interests.

About the Master of Public Health

  • The Master of Public Health is generally completed part-time over three years.

  • No. The NSW Ministry of Health will meet the costs associated with the Master of Public Health. This includes course and compulsory student fees. These are paid directly to the university where you are enrolled.

    Before starting your traineeship, we will ask you to sign a trainee agreement. This is an agreement between you and the NSW Ministry of Health which sets out the terms and conditions under which the Ministry agrees to pay for the Master of Public Health.

    For example, the agreement outlines what will happen if you need to repeat a subject, or if you withdraw from the Master of Public Health.

  • Yes. You can study at any university in NSW that offers a Master of Public Health program. It is important that you choose a university and degree that suit your individual needs and your learning style.

    We can help you to decide which university and degree program best meet your needs, and we can help you with the university enrolment process. ​

  • Yes. You will be able to access up to one day of paid study leave each week during university study periods. This can be used for online learning, face-to-face learning, block study, completing assignments or any other activities related to the Master of Public Health.

    In addition, we expect that you will also complete some study in your own time. 

Eligibility

  • To apply for a traineeship, you must be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent. An applicant's race is a genuine occupational qualification and is authorised by Section 14 (d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977, NSW.

    In addition, you will be required to meet the entry requirements for enrolment in a Master of Public Health degree. This is typically an undergraduate degree in health or a related field, however some universities have alternative entry pathways for people with substantial and relevant professional experience.

    Some health services may also require you to have previous health-related professional experience. This may include clinical experience, health research, health management, planning and development of health services, or health promotion.

  • ​Possibly. You should speak to the contact person in the job advertisement for the traineeship you are applying for to discuss this.

  • ​No. The traineeships are only available to people who are of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent. An applicant's race is a genuine occupational qualification and is authorised by Section 14 (d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977, NSW.

  • No. COVID-19 vaccination is not required to be employed by NSW Health. However, vaccination continues to provide strong individual protection from serious illness and death due to COVID-19. The revised PD2024_015 Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination Against Specified Infectious Diseases​ strongly recommends that all NSW Health workers stay up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccinations.

Employment

  • Yes. You will be a paid employee of NSW Health for three years.

  • No. The training is offered on a full-time basis only.

  • You may be able to work from home some of the time. The amount of time you can work from home will vary between work placements and will need to be negotiated with each placement supervisor.

  • Yes. Traineeships are only available to people who live in NSW. If you live outside of NSW, you will be expected to relocate to NSW at your own expense. Exceptions may be made for people who live in another state or jurisdiction close to the NSW border and are able to travel to NSW to work.

  • ​No. Your work placements will be planned before you start the traineeship.

Applying for a traineeship

  • ​About four traineeships are offered each year.

  • ​Traineeships are advertised at different times in the year, depending on the NSW health service offering the traineeship.

  • ​Traineeships are advertised on IWorkForNSW and through mainstream and local media. They are also advertised on this website. If there are no traineeships listed, it means that no traineeships are currently being advertised.

  • ​The traineeships are paid positions, and you have to apply for them like any other job. You can only apply once a traineeship has been advertised.

    Once a traineeship has been advertised, you can apply online via the NSW Health Jobs portal. There will be a link to this in the job advertisement.

    When preparing your application, you will need to provide:

    • your resume or curriculum vitae
    • a statement of academic results for any qualifications that you have
    • a document in which you address the selection criteria listed in the job advertisement. You should address all of the selection criteria. This is an opportunity for you to highlight your skills and experience for the selection panel. If you do not fully address the criteria, you will not be considered for interview.

    The NSW Health website Stepping Up provides valuable information to help you prepare your application.

  • ​No. There is no entry test however you will be required to demonstrate your skills and knowledge relevant to the advertised position.

  • A selection panel will review your written application against the requirements of the position. The panel will be made up of three or four people including the person that the position reports to, and a representative from the NSW Ministry of Health. The panel will include at least one Aboriginal person.

    After the panel has reviewed your written application, they may invite you to attend an interview to find out a bit more about your skills and knowledge.

    You may also be asked to complete a written activity or an online test.

    If the panel is still considering you for the role after your interview they will want to talk to your referees.

  • ​Yes. You can apply for as many traineeships as you like.

  • ​Yes. You can request feedback from the contact person in the job advertisement.

  • ​Yes. You can apply as many times as you like. However, we strongly encourage you to seek feedback on your unsuccessful application before reapplying.

Further information

  • ​If you have a question that is not answered on this page, you can contact the Population Health Training Team directly by emailing MOH-APHTI@health.nsw.gov.au

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Current as at: Tuesday 5 April 2022
Contact page owner: Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence