Graduate Careers

Vacancies in the 2025 Barwon Health Graduate Program

Barwon Health will be participating in the Late Vacancy Management Process for vacancies in our 2025 programs. Vacancies will be advertised on the Barwon Health Recruitment website People Plus on Monday 9 September at 10am:

We have one vacancy in the Collaborative Program with Great Ocean Road Health. This program involves a rotation in either Apollo Bay or Lorne. Please ensure that you have the capacity to fulfil this requirement when applying.

Please ensure that you complete all elements of the application and read the advice contained on our website about how to apply to give yourself the best chance of being successful in gaining a position.

If you have any questions, please call 0422 040 491 for assistance.

The program - purpose, philosophy and aims

The purpose of the graduate programs at Barwon Health is to provide a professional development program for Graduate Nurses and Graduate Midwives that supports and fosters professional independence for the beginning practitioner.

The program is based upon a model of skill and professional development that enables the graduate to move along a continuum toward independent practice. The role of the support staff is to guide clinical learning and skill acquisition, and to promote reflective practice in the clinical setting. Self-directed learning and continued professional development are expected throughout the program. A problem-solving approach to clinical decision-making is fostered with the graduate adopting accountability and responsibility for their practice with the ability to recognise their individual limitations. Graduates will be provided with the opportunity for personal and professional development of interpersonal, clinical and leadership skills.

Aims of the program

• To build upon the undergraduate program and facilitate the transition of the graduate from student to registered practitioner.
• To integrate the graduate into the workplace by providing clinical support and educational experiences and activities to ensure the graduate understands their role in the patient journey and interdisciplinary team.
• To assist the graduate to develop clinical competency to perform safely, confidently and professionally within his / her scope of practice.
• To ensure the graduates practice within the Barwon Health values, code of conduct and accepted practice standards whilst adhering to all guidelines, policies and procedures.

General information

In 2025, Barwon Health will offer the following programs:

• Graduate Nurse Program
• Graduate Nurse / Midwife Program (combined program for double degree graduates only)
• Graduate Midwife Program
• Barwon Health and Great Ocean Road Health Collaborative Graduate Nurse Program 
• Combined Nursing/Mental Health Graduate Program (please note those graduates interested in completing a mental health rotation will need to apply for this program as the mental health rotation will not be offered in the straight nursing program).

Graduates at Barwon Health are employed on a permanent part-time basis. All graduates attend a comprehensive orientation program at the beginning of the graduate program. Our programs commence in February and May of each year. We welcome expressions of interest outside of those times via our recruitment website. Barwon Health participates in the PMCV computer match process for the majority of our graduate nurse and midwife positions.

Graduate support and education – all programs

During your graduate year at Barwon Health, you will receive support from a variety of people including your preceptors, clinical staff, managers, other graduates and of course the graduate team.

Both nursing and midwifery graduates are supported by a team dedicated to the clinical and professional education of all graduate nurses and midwives. The team consists of the graduate program coordinator, clinical support nurses and a clinical support midwife. Graduates working across all sites and areas are supported by the graduate team. The graduate team are available Monday to Friday 7:30-4pm to assist graduates in areas such as medication administration, time management and prioritisation, performing clinical procedures, assisting with accessing resources or just for a general chat and reassurance. They visit every ward/area that employs graduates on a twice-daily basis to ensure that they see all graduates working and support them. The graduate team carry mobile phones and will return to provide further assistance between the morning and afternoon rounds.

As part of the transition from student to registered nurse/midwife, graduates are also provided with opportunities to learn outside of their clinical areas. This includes:

• Pre-employment skill sessions are available to assist participants in the program to feel confident before commencing
• Comprehensive orientation program
• Supernumerary time in each rotation
• Weekly graduate professional development - sessions may include simulation, clinical skills or in-services – topics cover a range of clinical and professional topics presented by guest speakers and the graduate team
• Graduate study days – all graduates attend seven paid study days held throughout the year. Topics cover a range of clinical and professional topics, clinical simulation and clinical case studies
• Graduates completing a rotation in oncology will also attend a chemotherapy professional development day at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
• Professional development leave - graduates are also entitled to additional leave as per the EBA. Graduates are encouraged to attend study days, courses or workshops either held within Barwon Health or provided externally to enhance their own professional development.
• Clinical competencies, learning modules and mandatory training – Barwon Health provide staff with access to Grow, a learning management system accessible online. 

Graduation ceremony – held at the end of the program; a great celebration at the end of a rewarding and sometimes challenging year.

Graduate Nurse Program

Graduates who are completing the Graduate Nurse Program can provide their preferences from a wide selection of clinical rotations at our acute site at University Hospital Geelong (UHG), sub-acute site at the McKellar Centre, community nursing and partner sites. Successful candidates will attend a welcome session that provides extensive information about rotation opportunities. Following the welcome session, successful candidates will then complete a detailed rotation preference form. When planning rotations, the graduate program coordinator will review the rotation preference form responses, the list of clinical placements provided by the applicant in the CV and the overall quality and attention to detail in the application. The coordinator will take into account the needs of each clinical area and the number of positions available in the area. In 2024, all graduates received one rotation that was listed in their top four preferences.

Nursing graduates can choose from a wide range of areas as listed below:

• Community nursing (Belmont, Newcomb, Corio with sites rotating each year)
• Barwon Medical Imaging (BMI)
• Emergency Department (six-month and 12-month positions)
• Gretta Volum Day Surgery Centre
• Operating suite
• Paediatrics
• Special Care Nursery
• Cardiac Services
• Oncology
• Specialist medical units
• Specialist surgical units (including a 12-month program in a short stay surgical unit)
• Inpatient rehabilitation
• Palliative care 

Graduates complete two six-month rotations over the 12-month program unless they prefer and are selected for a 12-month program in either the Emergency Department or the Short Stay Surgical Unit.

There are some differences in the availability of rotations depending on the commencement date of the graduate. In the 2024 program, the breakdown of rotations per cohort is listed below. If the rotation isn't listed below, it is available across both commencement dates:

Graduate Midwife and combined Nursing/Midwifery Programs

Barwon Health Maternity Services provides pregnancy, birth and post-natal care to the Geelong community and the wider Barwon South West region. Maternity Services cares for over 2,500 pregnant women and their babies born at University Hospital Geelong annually. Our staff are dedicated to providing quality, safe and culturally appropriate care in partnership with women and their families using evidence-based care to achieve the best health outcomes.

Graduates participating in the combined nursing/midwifery program will spend six months within a nursing unit and six months in maternity services. Graduates wishing to undertake a midwifery graduate program will spend the entire year within maternity services.

Combined Nursing/Midwifery Program:

• Birth suites
• Postnatal

Available nursing rotations:

• Acute specialist medical
• Medical imaging
• Special Care Nursery
• Paediatrics

Graduate Midwife Program:

• Birth suites
• Postnatal / antenatal
• Maternity Assessment Unit (MAU)

In addition to the extensive education program provided to all graduates, those undertaking the combined Nursing/Midwifery program and Graduate Midwife program will also attend the following study days:

• Practical Obstetric Multi-Professional Training (PROMPT)
• Fetal Surveillance Education Program

Please note: Applicants completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery are only eligible to apply if they are currently undertaking their studies in the clinical placement model. In addition, you may only nominate midwifery positions (Graduate Midwife Program) on your PMCV list. Candidates currently completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery and are employed by a health service are not eligible to apply. Please click here for more information regarding business rules and candidate eligibility.

Barwon Health and Great Ocean Road Health Collaborative Graduate Nurse Program

This program is an introduction to rural health and provides a six-month rotation at Barwon Health and a six-month rotation at Great Ocean Road Health. Participants will be able to provide a preference at the time of recruitment for which campus they would prefer to be located at; Lorne or Apollo Bay. Applicants need to be prepared to work at either site. There is one position per six-month rotation at Lorne and two positions per rotation at Apollo Bay. Accommodation is available at the Apollo Bay campus in a two-bedroom house. Accommodation is $30 per night or $210 per week. See the images below.

All positions in this program commence in February.

For further information about Great Ocean Road Health, visit www.greatoceanroadhealth.com.au/graduate-program/lch/

Combined Nursing and Mental Health Graduate Program

In 2025 Barwon Health is proud to offer a new Combined Nursing and Mental Health program. This program will give participants a taste of both mental health and general nursing. Participants will spend six months at the Swanston Centre and six months on a general ward. After the 12-month program, participants will be accredited for one subject of advanced standing into the (Post) Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing Practice at the University of Melbourne. All graduates who are interested in completing a mental health rotation will need to apply for this program as the mental health rotation will not be available as a selection in the general nursing stream.

Information sessions

Our information sessions have now concluded. If you have questions, need assistance completing your application, or require further information about the 2025 Barwon Health Graduate Program, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Recruitment Process – Applications

Applications for the Barwon Health Graduate Program open on Monday 27 May and close on Friday 21 June. It is important to remember that late applications cannot be accepted. The advertising period is set by the Post Graduate Medical Council Victoria (PMCV) and Barwon Health cannot accept applications outside of the advertised period. Positions will be advertised here with all applications to be made online via the website.

The graduate team assesses all applications made to the program. We do not process, partial or late applications, so please ensure that you complete the application process in one attempt and have all documents ready to upload.

We assess each element of your application utilising an objective marking rubric. Each element is scored against the rubric and the total is then utilised as we provide our rankings to PMCV for the matching process. We look for attention to detail in applications as this is a skill that translates to how you provide care to patients.

If you have any questions at any stage, please call or email Graduate Program Coordinator Carolyn Steinman via 0422 040 492 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

STEP 1: ARE YOU ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?

To apply for a position in any of our Graduate Programs at Barwon Health you must be eligible to register for the PMCV Allocation and Placement Service. Visit the Postgraduate Medical Council of Victoria’s (PMCV) website https://app.pmcv.com.au/aps/content/how-it-works to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria.

If you are eligible, you will need to register with PMCV and apply directly to Barwon Health. We will not be able to progress your application at Barwon Health if you have not completed both the PMCV registration and the Barwon Health online application as you will be ineligible for positions without both components complete.

STEP 2: HOW DO I APPLY?
In addition to registering with the PMCV Allocation and Placement Service, you will need to apply directly to one or more of Barwon Health’s graduate programs. Please note that all elements of your application are evaluated as part of our assessment process.

1. Register your details on the Barwon Health careers website
2. Complete your personal details
3. Upload a current photo (for ID purposes only)
4. Answer the key selection criteria questions online - please note that these answers are evaluated and scored as part of the assessment process
5. Upload all documents as requested

STEP 3: REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Letter of application

• No more than one page in length
• Clearly state which program you are applying for
• The letter should be addressed to Mrs Carolyn Steinman
• Include details about what appeals to you about Barwon Health
• Outline what interests you about the Barwon Health Graduate Program in comparison to other programs

Concise CV

• No more than three pages in length
• Include an objective or summary that tells us about you and your professional interests and aspirations.
• Clearly identify your completed and current education
• Include your work history stating dates, title and employer name/company/organisation
• Provide details of all clinical placements in a table format (see below)
• Include details of relevant professional development that you have completed
• Names and contact details of two recent clinical referees. Please note that the two referees must be from two different placements. Please include both phone and email contact details. You can also include one recent employment referee
• Don’t forget to share any academic/professional achievements and relevant volunteer and community experiences

Official academic transcript

A certified transcript of university results to date with key-to-result codes. We are aware that with the dates for the PMCV process moving forward you may not have your academic transcript for semester 1 of 2024. Please include your most up to date transcript from 2023, this should include your final results for that year.
Please note that unofficial transcripts/statement of results will not be accepted and your application will be assessed as the document not being supplied.

Please email your academic transcript with your clinical appraisals tools as outlined in the clinical appraisal section below. Ideally in the same email, if possible, to allow for easier processing of the application. Please note if we do not receive both your academic transcript and your clinical appraisals, we will not be able to process your application.

If you have any questions regarding this, please give me a call 0422 040 491.

Clinical Appraisal Tools

In addition to your online application, please provide your entire clinical appraisals. We require the formative and summative appraisals and all comments written by the clinical facilitator, clinical nurse educator or supervisor of your placement. Please provide your appraisals at the time that you complete your online application to Barwon Health via email to:

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Two most recent clinical appraisal tools from acute ward placements
• Include both the formative and summative appraisals and all comments written by the person who completed the appraisal
• Must be certified and/or the university stamp or watermark visible
• If your clinical appraisals are PebblePad documents, they do not need to be certified

Midwifery/Combined Nursing and Midwifery Program Clinical Appraisal Tools

Midwifery Program Applications - please supply two clinical appraisal tools.

Combined Nursing and Midwifery Program applications - please supply two nursing clinical appraisals and two midwifery clinical appraisals.

Combined Nursing and Mental Health Program Clinical Appraisal Tools

Please supply two nursing appraisals and one mental health appraisal.

All appraisals need to be supplied to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Please note: we will not progress your application without the Clinical Appraisal Tools

Recruitment Process - Interviews

Barwon Health will utilise the PMCV online interviews to assess the interview component of your application.

If we do need to proceed with further interviews, we will contact you.

Recruitment Process – Successful Candidates Welcome Session

Barwon Health will be offering welcome sessions to our successful 2025 Graduate program participants. These sessions will discuss intake and rotation preferences at length allowing graduates to understand what is available and how the process of rotation allocation occurs. We strongly encourage all applicants to add one of the following dates to your calendar to ensure that you can attend if successful with our program. The sessions will run from 1:30-3:30pm in the HERB (Health Education Research Building) lecture theatre. Successful candidates will receive a booking link via email once the PMCV list is published to allow them to select which date suits them best.

The welcome sessions will run on the following dates:

7 October

10 October

Enrolled Nurse Transition to Practice Program - Aged Care

The purpose of the Enrolled Nurse Transition to Practice Program at Barwon Health is to provide a professional development program for recently graduated Enrolled Nurses that supports and fosters growth and development for the beginning Enrolled Nurse practitioner in the aged care environment.

The program is based upon a model of skill and professional development that enables the Enrolled Nurse Graduate to move along a continuum toward confident and competent practice. The role of the support staff is to guide clinical learning and skill acquisition, and to promote reflective practice in the clinical setting. Self-directed learning and continued professional development are expected throughout the program. A problem-solving approach to clinical decision-making is fostered with the graduate adopting accountability and responsibility for their practice with the ability to recognise their individual limitations. Graduates will be provided with the opportunity for personal and professional development of interpersonal, clinical and leadership skills.

Aims of the program

• To build upon the skills and knowledge acquired during the enrolled nurse qualification and facilitate the transition of the graduate from student Enrolled Nurse to registered practitioner.
• To integrate the graduate into the workplace by providing clinical support and educational experiences and activities to ensure the graduate understands their role in the resident journey and interdisciplinary team.
• To assist the graduate to develop clinical competency to perform safely, confidently and professionally within their scope of practice.
• To ensure the graduates practice within the Barwon Health values, code of conduct and accepted practice standards whilst adhering to all guidelines, policies and procedures.

General information

In 2024, Barwon Health will offer four Enrolled Nurse Transition to Practice Program - Aged Care. The program is 12 weeks in duration and includes a three-week rotation to the Memory Unit-Blakiston Lodge also located at the McKellar Centre.

The EN TTP is supported by a dedicated Clinical Support Nurse, the Aged Care Clinical Nurse Education team and the Graduate Program Coordinator. EN TTP participants are provided with an ongoing contract of employment at 0.8 with Barwon Health and are assisted in finding a role that suits them within Aged Care at the end of the program by the Collaborative Recruitment Team.

Participants attend a comprehensive three-day orientation program that covers aged care-specific information to ensure that participants feel confident and work-ready when they commence on the floor.

The program is scheduled to commence on the following dates in 2024:

• 22 July
• 14 October

To apply

The program is advertised on our careers website before each intake date. Interested applicants should sign up on the careers website to be notified when the program is advertised.