GradConnect
Graduate programs or transition to practice forums assist you to transition into the nursing and midwifery workforce in a supportive environment. You will gain exposure to a variety of clinical settings, while consolidating theoretical learning and critical clinical skills and judgement.
Through the online recruitment system GradConnect, newly qualified enrolled nurses, registered nurses and midwives are encouraged to undertake a fully paid graduate program at either a public hospital or health service. This allows you to apply for opportunities in all our participating hospitals and health services using just one application.
Changes to GradConnect for 2021
Recruitment through GradConnect will be undertaken twice a year in March and July.
- July Gradconnect is for positions starting the following year in Jan-Jun for RN, EN & MW
- March GradConnect is for positions starting the same year Jul- Dec for RN, EN & MW
(This means you are only eligible to apply to a process if you already have registration or will be in your final 6 months of nursing or midwifery studies)
What is GradConnect
GradConnect is a streamlined online recruitment system that provides a wide choice of employment opportunities for newly qualified nurses and midwives.
The system works collaboratively with Western Australian public hospitals and health services.
Applications for all graduate programs offered via GradConnect are centrally coordinated by the Nursing and Midwifery Office.
Further information on the process and tips for your best application can be found by watching the transition to practise forum presentations.
Eligibility
To apply you must be:
- eligible for registration as a registered or enrolled nurse for nursing positions and as a midwife for midwifery positions with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) (external site)
- If you are applying in a July process you must have current registration or anticipated registration completed by Dec 31 of that year
- If you are applying in the March process you must have current registration or anticipated registration completed by July 31 of that year
- a graduate nurse who has not previously participated in a graduate nurse program. Enrolled nurses converting to registered nurse who have undertaken an enrolled nurse graduate program in the past are eligible to apply for registered nurse graduate programs
- a graduate midwife who has not previously participated in a graduate midwifery program. Graduate midwives who have undertaken an enrolled or registered nurse graduate program in the past are eligible to apply for midwifery graduate programs
- an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or, a New Zealand Citizen
- you are eligible to apply if you have completed your nursing or midwifery studies in the last 2 years at the time of application. (no more than 2 years since graduation)
Other application information
- Preference for appointment and interview will be given to local Western Australian graduates with Australian citizenship or permanent residency, or, New Zealand Citizenship.
- We are committed to growing the Aboriginal workforce across WA Health. Aboriginal nurse and midwife graduates are encouraged to apply. Section 51 applies to all GradConnect vacancies.
- If your application is successful you must have your relevant NMBA registration completed no less than two weeks prior to your start date.
- If your application is successful and you are required to meet AHPRAs English Language Standard through the English Language Test Pathway, you will be required to submit evidence of passing this test to the hospital site no later than 8 weeks prior to your start date.
If your application is successful you will also need to meet the specific employment requirements of the hospital or health service where you will be working.
Application opening dates
GradConnect recruitment for positions starting Jan-Jun 2022 has closed.
Please see the following documents for important dates and application tips.
Participating hospitals and health services
You will be asked to nominate 3 hospital preferences on application. Changes to preferences cannot be made once the application period has closed.
The following WA Health Services will be participating in GradConnect July process (Jan- Jun 2022)
Even if you apply through GradConnect for a position in WA Health, you can still apply for other positions with hospitals , health services and private providers . Do not limit yourself by only applying to GradConnect.
Further information on the process and tips for your best application can be found by watching the transition to practise forum presentations.
Selection criteria
You will not be required to upload a curriculum vitae or resume, however, the online application questions will request information that is usually included in such documents.
As part of your online application you will be required to address a selection criteria.
Your responses to the selection criteria will determine whether your application will proceed to interview stage.
Further information on the process and tips for your best application can be found by watching the transition to practise forum presentations.
Offers of employment
Offers are made via the GradConnect online recruitment system.
Start dates
The graduate program start dates for each hospital and health service vary and some hospitals and health services also offer multiple start dates. It is up to the applicant to thoroughly research all programs available and ascertain the date for application. Some hospitals and health services will be recruiting annually, while others will recruit twice a year.
Be careful that you don’t choose a program that is not available at the time you graduate.
Changing your start date
You will be asked to nominate your preferred start date within the application. You should discuss your plans with each hospital or health service during the selection and interview process. If you are offered a graduate position and are not able to start at the agreed start date, you will need to advise the relevant person or people at the hospital or health service as soon as possible.
If you wish to defer your start date, you will need to negotiate this with the individual health service. They may not be able to accommodate such requests and may advise you to re-apply to GradConnect the following year.
Employment conditions
The terms and conditions of service are in accordance with the:
Part-time programs
Some hospitals or health services may offer graduate programs part–time. You will be asked to state your preference within your application. You should discuss this with each hospital or health service at interview.
Do I need to complete a graduate program to practise as a nurse or midwife?
Once you are registered to practise as an enrolled nurse, registered nurse or midwife you are able to gain employment in any health facility within Australia. Completing a graduate program is not mandatory. Undertaking a graduate program is not a requirement for initial or ongoing employment. Graduate programs have been designed to offer additional support for novice nurses and midwives to assist their transition to the professional role within busy clinical environments. Places within these structured graduate programs are capped for a range of reasons. You can still gain valuable experience outside of a designated graduate program.
More information
- email us
- contact individual hospitals and health services.
Last reviewed: 05-07-2021
Produced by
Chief Nursing and Midwifery Office