School work experience

Careers in Health is our new structured work experience 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 and 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

Before you apply:

• Make sure the program is running in your area - only students attending school in the Illawarra can apply for the Illawarra programs and only students attending school in the Shoalhaven can apply for the Shoalhaven programs
• Applications received from outside of the Local Health District 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 through School Careers Advisors, Aboriginal Education Officer or School Principals
• 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
  • complete the Careers in Health: A School Work Experience 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

Applications for the 2025 Careers in Health: A School Work Experience Program, have now closed. 

Program Dates for 2025 

Illawarra -

Term 2 - Wednesday, 7th May, 14th May & 21st May 2025

Term 3 - Wednesday, 30th July, 6th August & 13th August 2025

Term 4 - Thursday, 23rd October, 30th October & 6th November 2025

Shoalhaven -

Term 2 - Wednesday, 4th June, 11th June & 18th June 2025

Term 3 - Wednesday, 10th September, 17th September & 24th September 2025

Term 4 - Tuesday, 11th November, 18th November & 25th November 2025

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
  • 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
• Communications & Marketing
• Electrician
• Human Resources
• Information Communication Technology
• Librarian
• Medical Imaging
• Nuclear Medicine
• Occupational Therapy
• Oral Health
• Pharmacy
• Physiotherapy
• Plumbing
• Radiation Therapy
• Radiology
• Research
• Speech Therapy
• Wardsperson
• Work Health & Safety

Please read requirements on the Traditional ad hoc school work experience page before applying

Click here to complete an Application Form