Careers at TAFE NSW

Aboriginal University Cadetship – Finance (Identified)

Locations: 1x Wollongong Campus and 2 x Newcastle Campus

Casual (Paid Work Placement)

12 weeks per year over 3 years 

Remuneration: $48.55 per hour

At TAFE NSW, we are dedicated to life-changing impact.

That’s why we offer world-class training and education that delivers the skills needed for the jobs of today and tomorrow.

Life-changing impact starts with an incredible team that sees their career as an opportunity to shape someone’s world. Whether that’s inspiring students, supporting each other, or helping our communities and industries flourish.

We live by TAFE NSW values: Customer Focus, Integrity, Collaboration, and Excellence. They define who we are, how we work and inspire our performance.   

We invest in our people

At TAFE NSW, you will discover a diverse, dynamic, and collaborative environment, where you can innovate, create value, and do meaningful work.

We provide you with tools, ongoing training and professional development, health and wellbeing programs.

About the role

The TAFE NSW Aboriginal Cadetship Program offers Aboriginal students with 12 weeks of flexible, paid employment (Work Placement) per year at TAFE NSW that is aligned to their field of study for a duration of up to three years. This role offers the opportunity to apply your learning in real-world contexts while contributing to TAFE NSW’s commitment to delivering quality services for students, customers and communities.

As an Aboriginal Cadet within the Corporate Services Group, you’ll gain practical experience supporting finance and accounting functions that underpin TAFE NSW’s business operations. In the Finance Help Desk, you’ll assist stakeholders with purchasing activities, finance enquiries, invoicing and procurement processes while ensuring adherence to policy and compliance requirements. Within Accounting Operations, you may work across General Ledger, Payroll Accounting or Banking, supporting tasks such as journal processing, account reconciliation, record keeping, and producing financial information used for statutory and business performance reporting. This cadetship offers a strong foundation in financial operations and is well‑suited to someone developing skills in business, commerce or accounting.

About You

You are an Aboriginal undergraduate student passionate about supporting TAFE NSW and Aboriginal communities. You are motivated, collaborative, and eager to learn, with strong communication skills and a commitment to applying your knowledge in a professional work environment. You are adaptable, culturally aware, and willing to take initiative while working under guidance and supervision.

To succeed in this role, you will have:

• Aboriginality (Aboriginality is a genuine occupational qualification and is authorised under Section 14 of the Anti-Discrimination Act of 1977). Candidates selected for an interview must provide Confirmation of Aboriginality documentation at or before interview.  
• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate course relevant to the role, and able to maintain active enrolment for the duration of the cadetship.
• Demonstrated commitment to Aboriginal communities.
• A valid Working with Children Check (required prior to commencement).

To find out more about the role, click to view the Role Description.

Virtual Yarn Session (Learn More)

Register to attend one of our yarns to learn more about the role and hear from our Aboriginal Employment Team. You will have the opportunity to ask questions about the role and obtain support about the application process:

Dates:       

• Tuesday 10th March
• Thursday 12th March
• Tuesday 17th March
• Thursday 19th March

Times:       12:00pm – 12:45 pm & 5:30pm – 6:15pm
Location:    Virtually via Microsoft Teams
Register:    Register by clicking this link

Our commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment

With over 420 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and a strong Aboriginal Staff Network, we are committed to creating a culturally safe workplace where dignity, trust, respect, and the promotion of diversity and inclusion are valued.

At TAFE NSW, you will have a sense of belonging and the opportunity to share your skills, stories, and passions and represent your communities and culture. 

We are proud of our Reconciliation Action Plan, and our Aboriginal Employment Strategy and are continually improving our services to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and students.

A career of life-changing impact awaits you. Apply now!

Applications close at 11.55pm AEDT Sunday 22 March 2026

To apply for this role, click on ‘apply now’ and provide:

• Your current resume
• Evidence of undertaking an undergraduate degree (e.g., transcript)
• Confirmation of Aboriginality
• Response to one targeted question when prompted in the application form (max 300 words)

Targeted Question: Why are you interested in the TAFE NSW Aboriginal Cadetship Program, and can you give an example of a time when you demonstrated strong self-management that would help you succeed in this program?

General recruitment and adjustment enquiries: contact Rachael Honeysett - Talent Acquisition Advisor via rachael.honeysett4@tafensw.edu.au or 02 79213369.

Role-specific enquiries: contact Alison Wrightson, Director Accounting Operations via Alison.Wrightson@tafensw.edu.au or 0409 782 110.

Aboriginal Candidate support: Contact John Jeffery – Aboriginal Employment Specialist for any questions or support regarding our Confirmation of Aboriginality process, application or resume support and interview preparation at john.jeffery12@tafensw.edu.au or 02 79215501.

Applicants for this position must be Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, identify as being Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, and be accepted in the community as such. An applicant's race is a genuine occupational qualification and is authorised under Section 14(d) of the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act 1977. Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants will be required to provide Confirmation of Aboriginality documentation at or before interview.

At TAFE NSW we are creating an accessible and inclusive workforce, so you can safely bring your whole self to work and connect with your community through our many diverse employee networks. If you require an adjustment in the recruitment process, please let your Talent Acquisition Advisor know.

For helpful insights into preparing your application, TAFE NSW’s recruitment process, and getting interview ready, read through our Application Process and the interactive Capability Application Tool.  

This is a child-related position. A Working with Children Check is a prerequisite for anyone in child-related work. It involves a national criminal history check and review of findings of workplace misconduct. 

An eligibility list, valid for 18 months, may be created for this position, and position(s) of the same classification that subsequently becomes vacant, may be filled via this recruitment.