Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

EMHS is committed to building a sustainable, skilled Aboriginal health workforce from entry level to leadership roles, using a variety of career pathways and employment opportunities for Aboriginal people.

Aboriginal Cadetships

The WA Health Aboriginal Cadetship Program offers Aboriginal university students the opportunity to earn an income and gain valuable work experience while completing an undergraduate degree.

Cadets undertake 12 weeks (60 days) work experience during each calendar year, comprising one day per week each semester or block attendance during semester breaks (usually December to February, and July), or as negotiated.

Using section 51 of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984

To achieve equality and increase the representation of Aboriginal people in the EMHS workforce, section 51 of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (external link) will be applied to all recruitment pools and targeted advertised positions.

All applicants will be assessed against the selection criteria and must meet the work related requirements to be considered, in accordance with the Recruitment, Selection and Appointment Policy and Procedure and the Employment Standard (external link) merit principle.

Rhonda Marriott Scholarship

The Rhonda Marriott Scholarship provides support and recognises the contribution of Aboriginal nurses and midwives and the crucial role that they play in WA Health.

This scholarship assists WA Health employed Aboriginal registered nurses and midwives with the costs associated with postgraduate education.  Eligible courses include Postgraduate Certificates and Postgraduate Diplomas.

Scholarship funding covers the full cost of each unit of study per semester and funds are dispersed once the Nursing and Midwifery Office have received a copy of results showing successful completion of each unit.

Aboriginal Health Fellowship

The Aboriginal Health Fellowship is designed to assist innovative research or practice improvement projects to meet the needs of Aboriginal people. This fellowship, worth up to $20,000 (can be granted to several people in smaller amounts), provides an opportunity for nurses and midwives to undertake, or complete nursing/midwifery research, or a practice improvement project.  Preferences will be given to nurses and midwives who are Aboriginal.

Cultural and Ceremonial Leave

Subject to the relevant industrial agreement, EMHS employees are entitled to time off without loss of pay for cultural/ceremonial purposes (e.g. to meet the employee’s customs, traditional law and to participate in cultural and ceremonial activities), and where there is agreement between the employee and their manager, and the employee has sufficient available leave credits, for example:

• Annual leave
• Accrued long service leave entitlements
• Flexitime
• Accrued days off
• Time in lieu.

If an employee has insufficient leave credits, time off without pay may be granted.

Aboriginal Workforce Engagement Group

Aboriginal employees are encouraged to join the Aboriginal Workforce Engagement Group which provides Aboriginal staff with:

• regular updates on relevant initiatives, events and opportunities;
• a culturally secure avenue to discuss relevant issues;
• a platform for sharing information and ideas to support the retention of Aboriginal staff; and
• an opportunity to give input and provide feedback on new policies, programs and strategies that may impact on Aboriginal people and/or services.

Aboriginal Careers videos