Careers for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in regional SA

We acknowledge and value the skills, experience and cultural knowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders bring to SA Health.

Growing a skilled Aboriginal workforce is essential to developing the professionals needed to deliver health services across regional, rural and remote South Australia.

Having Aboriginal people work in regional hospitals and health services plays an important role in building trust among Aboriginal patients. Additionally, it can lead to more Aboriginal people accessing regional health services.

Our regional Aboriginal health workforce is not specific to one profession and consists of Aboriginal workers from all areas of health services, including clinical and non-clinical.

Aboriginal workforce career profiles

View these short videos to hear first-hand accounts of Aboriginal people working in regional health.

• Aboriginal Liaison Officer
• Aboriginal Health Team Leader
• Executive Assistant
• Allied Health Assistant
• General Services Assistant and Cook
• Aboriginal Health Practitioner
• Summary of the above six videos

Entry-level opportunities

There are a wide range entry-level programs and pathways to help Aboriginal people start a career with SA Health.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are strongly encouraged to apply for the regional Enrolled Nursing Cadetship. This combines paid employment and study through TAFE SA with learning in a hospital environment.

For further information, please visit our Enrolled Nursing Cadetship page.

Attracting and growing the Aboriginal workforce

The SA Health Rural Aboriginal Health Workforce Plan 2021–2026 outlines specific and culturally informed strategies to attract, retain, grow and support the Aboriginal health workforce within regional local health networks, including:

• increase our regional and rural Aboriginal employee numbers to 4% of the workforce
• become the employer of choice for Aboriginal people in regional SA
• provide career pathways so more of our Aboriginal workforce are empowered to take on senior leadership and executive roles. 

Find out more

Aboriginal people who would like more information about a career in health in regional South Australia are encouraged to email RLHNAboriginalHealth@sa.gov.au

Things you can do before applying for employment with SA Health

Before applying for any role at SA Health, we highly recommend you complete the following actions to ensure a smooth transition to employment if you’re made an offer.

1. Update your resume

You will be required to submit an up-to-date resume that lists your employment history, any completed education and a minimum of two referees.

2. Apply for criminal history and background checks

Depending on the role, preferred applicants are required to provide a current National Police Check and/or Working with Children Check and/or Disability Services Employment Check before commencing employment.

Note that criminal history or pending charges do not necessarily exclude you from employment in SA Health; applicants with a criminal history may be asked to provide additional information in support of their application and each case will be considered on its merits.

3. Get confirmation about your immunisation status

Due to the environment in which we work, all prospective SA Health staff must complete the Health Care Worker Immunisation Screening requirements. This process includes meeting with a registered health professional, having a blood test and getting required vaccinations (including influenza and COVID-19) prior to commencing employment.

Note that people who refuse to comply with this process will not be considered for employment.

4. Sign up to the Aboriginal Employment Pool

This pool is a direct entry point for prospective Aboriginal employees to register for employment opportunities at SA Health.