Supporting and encouraging the future generation of healthcare professionals is something we are passionate about at Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD). We offer a range of different work experience opportunities to help educate and empower students in their health career journeys.
For more information contact:
Tracy King
Student Engagement Coordinator
E: tracy.king2@health.nsw.gov.au
Careers in Health: Insight & Immersion Program
Careers in Health is our structured work insight & immersion program running at scheduled times across our district. 20 students from local high schools are selected, through an application process for each of the 3 day programs. Students participate in workshops, site & ward visits and hear from ISLHD and NSW Health staff about what it is like to work in their roles, giving students opportunities to ask questions and gain a better understanding of what career opportunities there are in health in both clinical and non-clinical roles.
Who can apply:
- High school students who attend school within the Illawarra or Shoalhaven respectively of which program you're applying for
- Currently in year 10, 11 or 12
- Interested in a career with health or curious to know what a career in health may look like
Before you apply:
- Make sure the program is running in your area - Illawarra students can apply for the Shoalhaven programs and vice versa, but Shoalhaven students will be given preference for the Shoalhaven program and Illawarra students will be given preference for the Illawarra programs.
- Applications received from outside of the Local Health District will not be considered and will not receive a response from the Committee.
- Completion of the application form does not guarantee a place in the program.
- All applications received by the due date, will be reviewed by a Committee
- All correspondence will be conducted directly with the student with School Careers Advisors, Aboriginal Education Officer or School Principals included.
- Places are strictly limited. Students who are not successful will need to re-apply for subsequent program
- Successful applicants will be required to:
- obtain consent from their parent or guardian and school.
- complete the Careers in Health: Insight & Immersion Program attendance form, including media and image consent, medical management plan (if applicable) as well as a permission for long-term follow-up
- sign the Student Agreement form
- complete the Student Placement Record; a school requirement
Apply for the Careers in Health: Insight & Immersion Program
Applications for the 2026 Careers in Health: Insight & Immersion Programs, will open in week 6 of Term 4 - Monday 17th November 2025, and remain open until week 2 of Term 1 - Friday 6th February 2026.
Program dates for 2026
Illawarra -
Term 2 - Tuesday, 12th May, 19th May & 26th May 2026
Term 3 - Tuesday, 8th September, 15th September, & 22nd September 2026
Term 4 - Tuesday, 20th October, 27th October, & 3rd November 2026
Shoalhaven -
Term 2 - Tuesday 2nd June, 9th June & 16th June 2026
Term 3 - Tues 4th August, Wednesday 12th August & Tuesday 18th August 2026
Illawarra programs - apply here
Shoalhaven programs - apply here
Traditional ad hoc school work experience
Students spend up to a week with ISLHD staff observing their role of interest. Availability varies depending on capacity of department at the time of enquiry. Please note, nursing, midwifery and medicine is not available as a work experience option.
Criteria for work experience participants:
- To work around patients, or infectious material, surfaces or equipment participants must also be vaccinated for:
- Measles
- Mumps
- Rubella
- Hepatitis B
- Varicella (Chickenpox)
- Diptheria
- Tetanus
- Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
- Influenza (required between April - October)
- Tuberculosis Assessment (Form provided by Health)
Note: these vaccinations are also recommended for those participants not working in clinical areas, with no direct physical contact with patients.
- Covered by their own insurance (Note: school students are covered by their school's insurance)
- Willing to adhere to the ISLHD Code of Conduct
- Willing to adhere to the ISLHD Confidentiality Agreement
- Have a genuine interested in learning about a career in health
Some areas of interest may include:
- Accounting & Finance
- Administration
- Electrician
- Human Resources
- Librarian
- Medical Imaging
- Nuclear Medicine
- Occupational Therapy
- Oral Health
- Pharmacy
- Physiotherapy
- Plumbing
- Radiation Therapy
- Radiology
- Speech Therapy
- Wardsperson
- Work Health & Safety
Apply here for traditional ad hoc school work experience
Please note there are limited opportunities available for the remainder of 2025.
Please read requirements on the Traditional ad hoc school work experience page before applying