Careers in regional South Australia

The six regional local health networks almost cover one million square kilometres, making up approximately 99.8% of the state containing almost one third of South Australia’s residents. With over 8,800 employees we offer a range of employment opportunities. Your contribution as an employee can make a real difference to health service delivery for South Australian regional communities.

There are many benefits available to employees working for regional local health networks.  We have a great collection of new staff stories, videos and testimonials of people’s experiences working for our organisation in rural locations across South Australia.

To access the videos and testimonials, visit the careers in Country Health SA Local Health Network page.

Benefits of working and living in country South Australia

As an employee of the regional local health networks and living in country South Australia you can:

  • escape the hustle and bustle of city life
  • take advantage of the endless possibilities for adventure, relaxation, recreation and sightseeing
  • experience cultural diversity, outback locations and regional city conveniences
  • live an affordable and unique country lifestyle
  • work in innovative ways to improve health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
  • expand your professional knowledge and skills across a vast range of clinical and non-clinical functions
  • broaden your experience by working in:  acute,  community-based, and aged care settings
  • work closely with your peers
  • make a real difference and feel like an important part of your community.

Our regional local health networks offer new employees...

  • A vibrant, values based place to work and learn
  • Opportunity to be part of our high quality, safe and innovative health services
  • The vision, values and commitment to growing better country health services closer to home
  • A Buddy program to support new employees settle into their work place
  • Flexible work arrangements e.g. part-time, job sharing, compressed weeks and purchased leave — supporting you to manage work/life balance at all stages of your life
  • Opportunities to work in multidisciplinary teams and in diverse environments
  • Greater opportunity to develop skills and practice within the full scope of clinical professions
  • Professional development and opportunities to work in different roles and at higher levels
  • Traineeship/graduate employment programs
  • Scholarship opportunities to support your continued development
  • Exciting ways to use advances in technology
  • A chance to live an affordable and unique country lifestyle
  • Financial incentives e.g. salary packaging, locality and recreation leave allowances (some locations)
  • Annual Leave Benefits - additional annual leave and limited reimbursement of mileage expenses for annual leave travel apply to specific remote locations (conditions apply – refer to the SA Health (Health Care Act) Human Resources Manual).
  • Support with relocation costs can be negotiated (conditions apply)
  • Allied Health Professionals, Grant Funded Scientists, Dental Services Officers, Medical Scientists, Medical Physicists and Professional Officers are entitled to paid professional development (Five days in two years) and professional development travel day/s (up to 2 days per year depending on distance from Adelaide) – conditions apply, refer to the South Australian Modern Public Sector Enterprise Agreement: Salaried 2017
  • Nursing and Midwifery employees have access to an average of three days professional development leave per annum (pro rata for part-time employees, and excluding casual employees)
  • Meaningful long term careers that are rewarding and diverse
  • Opportunities to build relationships with consumers and patients, and to become part of local communities with a real sense of social connection and partnership

South Australian regional health nursing employees

  • Professional Development Allowance of $1000 per annum until 30/6/19 then increases to $1200 (pro rata for part-time employees, and excluding casual employees and part-time employees working less than 16 hours per fortnight )
  • Rural and remote service incentive payments (up to $5775 per year for five years depending on location) – pro rata for part-time employees
  • Zone allowance based on work location
  • Post graduate qualification allowance from $2259 (EN) up to $4842 (RN) per year (conditions apply – refer to the Nursing/Midwifery (South Australian Public Sector) Enterprise Agreement 2016)

In our last staff survey from 2017 our staff responded positively that:

  • Our organisation delivers high quality care
  • Employees understand their roles, what is expected of them and how they contribute to our success
  • Employees are willing to put in the extra effort for the organisation
  • And, there is good knowledge, information sharing and cooperation within the organisation

Entry Pathways and Trainee/Graduate Programs

School student work experience

Our regional local health networks encourage students to take part in work experience or work placements.  Students are given the opportunity to benefit from the partnerships between industry, enterprises, union and school and better prepare them for the world of work.

School based pathways to nursing

Our regional local health networks offer educational pathway programs for school students.  The VET in School-Pathway to Nursing involves hands on student learning while undertaking Certificate III in Individual Support (Aged Care). The School Based Aged Care Traineeship involves school study, paid employment with regional LHNs, and undertaking Certificate III in Individual Support (Aged Care).  Intake numbers are limited and are offered in various locations from year to year.

Flexibility for the future trainees and graduates

In June 2017 the Premier directed SA public sector agencies to increase the opportunities for existing and future public sector employees to access flexible workplace arrangements and invest in the creation of additional new positions for trainees and graduates.For more information visit the Public Sector Flexibility for the Future page.

Clinical student placements

Our regional local health networks encourage students to consider clinical placements in rural and remote locations. We can offer a wide range of experiences that differ from those offered in metropolitan settings. Rural and remote placements give students a chance to experience life in country communities while gaining an understanding of different health care models and specific health care needs of rural and remote populations.

Buddy Up

Buddy up matches new employees with an experienced staff member (a buddy) to help them settle and feel comfortable in their new work environment.  It provides the new employee with a buddy as a point of contact for general enquiries on day-to-day operational matters such as, locating facilities, using information systems, navigating the HUB, locating relevant policies and procedures etc.

South Australian Regional Health Scholarships

Scholarships are offered in a range of areas including undergraduate, post graduate, mental health, management, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner and other certificate level study. 

Assistant in Nursing – Enrolled Nurse Cadetships

(two intakes per year)

Assistant in Nursing - Enrolled Nursing Cadetship program supports local training and employment in country hospitals. Cadets study the Diploma of Nursing HLT54115 with TAFE SA while working in paid employment 15 hours per week as an Assistant in Nursing.  Cadets benefit from opportunities to put into practice learning from their Diploma of Nursing study and complete the program with a qualification, knowledge and skills required to provide quality nursing care.

This program gives priority employment to suitable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants. 

Transition to Professional Practice (TPPP)

Registered Nurses

TPPP is a great way to kick start your nursing career, bridging the gap between university education and practical clinical practice. You will be able to transfer your nursing knowledge into practice in a supportive environment and build your confidence as you develop clinical skills in a fully supported and paid program. Visit the SA Health Careers website to find all the information you need about the TPPP for Registered Nurses.

Allied Health

TPPP is offered to new Allied Health graduates and clinicians completing their first year with CHSALHN.  It consists of an orientation, five interactive video conference sessions on interesting topics and an evaluation session.  The multifaceted program aims to ensure new Allied Health Professionals are well supported while transitioning to working in regional South Australia.