The NSW Biostatistics Training Program is a three-year full-time workplace-based training program in biostatistics.
The program is delivered by the NSW Ministry of Health in partnership with the University of Sydney and the Biostatistics Collaboration of Australia.
Trainees rotate through a series of supervised six-month work placements within the NSW health system.
Trainees develop skills and knowledge in a range of competency areas outlined in the NSW Biostatistics Training Program Competency Framework.
Trainees also complete a Master of Biostatistics degree part-time via distance learning through the University of Sydney.
Traineeships are generally based in the Sydney metropolitan area. Trainees complete work placements within the NSW Ministry of Health, NSW health services, NSW health pillars (e.g. Cancer Institute NSW), academic research centres and affiliated population health organisations.
Yes. Completion of the Master of Biostatistics degree is a compulsory part of the traineeship.
If you successfully complete the program, you will also receive a certificate of completion from the NSW Ministry of Health and be eligible for accreditation as a graduate statistician with the Statistical Society of Australia.
It is your responsibility to find a job after your traineeship ends. Around 96% of program graduates find work in biostatistical or statistical roles, and more than half are employed by NSW Health immediately after completing the program. About 25% find roles in NSW universities and about 20% find roles in research organisations.
The Master of Biostatistics is generally completed part-time over three years.
No. The NSW Ministry of Health will meet the costs associated with the Master of Biostatistics. This includes course and compulsory student fees. These are paid directly to the University of Sydney.
Before starting your traineeship, you will be required to sign a deed of agreement. This is a legally binding agreement between you and the NSW Ministry of Health which sets out the terms and conditions under which the Ministry agrees to pay for the Master of Biostatistics.
Yes. Although the Master of Biostatistics is offered through several Australian universities, you will be required to enroll through the University of Sydney.
Yes. You will be entitled to four hours of paid study leave each week during university semesters. This is the maximum amount of study leave available to full-time Ministry of Health employees.
In addition, we expect that you will also complete some study in your own time.
The traineeships are open to people who have:
You can apply if you have a qualification with a major component of statistics as well as previous experience of applying statistical concepts to a real-life situation. This will generally be through previous work experience in a statistical role.
Yes, however we recommend that you do not apply if you have completed more than 6 subjects.
No. Completing a Master of Biostatistics degree is a compulsory part of the traineeship.
You can apply if you are an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, New Zealand citizen with a current New Zealand Passport or if you hold a valid work visa that gives you permission to work in Australia for the duration of the role. This does not include bridging visas.
You must include evidence of your right to work in Australia in your written application.
No.
No. The traineeships are very competitive, and there is no shortage of Australian applicants. You must hold a valid work visa at the time of application. We cannot sponsor you and we cannot offer you employment unless you already hold a valid work visa.
Yes. All NSW Health workers are required to have completed a primary course of a TGA approved COVID-19 vaccine prior to commencement with NSW Health OR provide an approved medical contraindication certificate.
You will be required to show proof of your COVID-19 vaccination status before you are offered a traineeship.
Yes. You will be a paid employee of NSW Ministry of Health for three years.
No. The training is offered on a full-time basis only.
You may be able to work from home some of the time. The amount of time you can work from home will vary between work placements and will need to be negotiated with each placement supervisor.
Yes. Traineeships are currently only available within the Sydney metropolitan area. You will need to relocate if you are not able to travel to Sydney to work.
No. Work placements are determined by the senior executive team to ensure they align with the strategic and operational priorities of NSW Health.
You will be matched to placements based on your skill levels, learning needs, professional interests and workplace needs.
Around eight traineeships are available each year.
There are one or two intakes a year. This can vary from year to year and depends on the number of vacant traineeships.
New trainees typically start in February or August. Roles are advertised around three months before the start date.
Traineeships are advertised on websites including jobs.health.nsw.gov.au, SEEK and CareerOne. They are also advertised on this website - see How to Apply.
The traineeships are paid positions, and you have to apply for them like any other job. You can only apply once the traineeships have been advertised.
Once the traineeships have been advertised, you can apply online via the NSW Health Jobs portal can be accepted. There will be a link to this in the job advertisement.
Complete your application using the online form, and attach:
Your application must include all of these documents, otherwise you will not be considered for interview.
You must submit your application by the advertised closing date and time. Late applications cannot be accepted.
No. Only applications submitted through the NSW Health Jobs portal can be accepted.
No. There is no need to include a covering letter, but you can include one if there is additional information you would like us to consider that is not addressed elsewhere in your application.
No. There is no entry test however the selection process will include a range of assessment activities to help us to determine your suitability for the role.
The selection process has several stages. Once all of these stages have been completed, you will either be offered a role or notified that your application was unsuccessful:
Your online application will be considered by a selection panel made up of four or more people, including the person that the role reports to. The panel will review your application against the requirements of the role.
If your application progresses through initial screening, you will be invited to complete two or more capability-based assessments. This is likely to include at least one online test and one work sample activity. Most assessment activities are timed and are computer based.
The next stage is an interview where you will be asked behaviour-based questions. The interview will involve all members of the selection panel and will last around 30-45 minutes. The interview may be conducted in person or online.
If we invite you for an interview, we will request contact details for two professional referees including your current manager. We will conduct reference checks after the interview if we are still considering you for the role.
If required, additional screening checks may be conducted, including national criminal record check, identification checks, citizen or residency status, vaccination status and service check (for current NSW Government employees).
You will find out the outcome of your application once all stages of the selection process have been completed. This will be several weeks after the closing date for applications.
Yes. Once you are notified in writing that your application is unsuccessful you can request feedback from a member of the selection panel.
Yes. You can apply as many times as you like. However, we strongly encourage you to seek feedback on your unsuccessful application before reapplying.
If you have a question that is not answered on this page, you can contact the Population Health Training Team directly by emailing MOH-BiostatsTraining@health.nsw.gov.au
