Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) is encouraging graduate nurses and midwives to consider starting their careers in the Northern Rivers, with applications now open as part of NSW Health’s 2026 GradStart program.
GradStart is an annual, state-wide recruitment process for graduate nurses and midwives, which provides a vast range of employment opportunities across more than 150 health facilities in metropolitan, regional, rural and remote NSW.
Applications for NSW Health’s 2026 GradStart intake opened on 17 June and close on 30 June 2025.
Students are eligible to apply if they:
- are completing a nursing or midwifery degree between 1 June 2025 and 31 May 2026.
- will meet all the requirements to be registered as a Registered Nurse or Midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.
- are an Australian Citizen or hold a visa that allows ongoing full-time employment in Australia.
Opportunity
NNSWLHD Director of Nursing and Midwifery Katharine Duffy encouraged potential candidates to consider joining the team in Northern NSW.
‘Northern NSW Local Health District offers an exciting opportunity for new graduates to start their careers, with four Multi-Purpose Services and eight hospitals, including two major sites – Lismore Base Hospital and Tweed Valley Hospital – offering excellent support and learning opportunities,’ Ms Duffy said.
‘Our new graduates will gain invaluable experience across a broad range of clinical settings, as well as in community healthcare. Coupled with unrivalled quality of life opportunities at some of Australia’s premier coastal and hinterland destinations, we think there is no better place to live and work than Northern NSW.’
The new recruits will follow in the footsteps of the 225 graduate registered nurses who joined NNSWLHD in 2025, in addition to seven new graduate midwives and 27 newly qualified enrolled nurses.
Exciting time
Ms Duffy said new graduates will be well supported at what is hoped to be the start of a long and rewarding career with NNSWLHD.
‘It is an exciting time for us following the opening of the new Tweed Valley Hospital last year and with plans to redevelop Grafton Base Hospital well underway,’ Ms Duffy said.
‘New graduates are integral to our vision to continue to grow and train a sustainable local health workforce. Our nursing and midwifery service has some incredible mentors and educators who will nurture these new graduates to develop in their chosen specialties.
‘Depending on their interests, they’ll have the opportunity to take part in leading research projects and develop their leadership skills to take their careers to the next level,’ she said.
For more information and to apply now, visit www.health.nsw.gov.au/gradstart.
