The NSW Biostatistics Training Program is a 3-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 complete a series of supervised 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 based in the Sydney metropolitan area. Placements are generally located within the NSW Ministry of Health at 1 Reserve Road, St Leonards NSW 2065; however, placements may also be offered in other NSW Health entities, such as the Cancer Institute NSW.
Yes. As part of the program, trainees enrol in a Master of Biostatistics degree at the University of Sydney. People who successfully complete the program are awarded a Master of Biostatistics degree by the University of Sydney and receive a certificate of completion from the NSW Ministry of Health.
Trainees are responsible for finding a job after their traineeship ends. Most program graduates find work in biostatistical or statistical roles, and more than half are employed by NSW Health immediately after completing the program. Some graduates find roles in universities or research organisations.
The Master of Biostatistics is generally completed part-time over 3 years.
No. The NSW Ministry of Health will meet the costs associated with the Master of Biostatistics. This includes course fees 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 enrol through the University of Sydney.
Yes. You will be entitled to 4 hours of paid study leave per week during teaching periods. You will also be expected to complete some study in your own time.
The entry requirements are outlined on the Employment conditions and entry requirements page.
Yes. You can apply regardless of which university you are enrolled at or how many subjects you have completed.
Yes. You can apply if you have already completed a Master of Biostatistics and are looking to gain work experience in biostatistics.
You can apply if you are a New Zealand citizen with a current New Zealand passport or if you hold a valid work visa that allows you to work in Australia for the full duration of the traineeship.
You must include evidence of your right to work in Australia in your written application.
No.
No. The NSW Ministry of Health does not provide visa sponsorship for these traineeships. You must already hold a valid visa that allows you to work in Australia for the full duration of the traineeship.
Yes. You will be a paid employee of the NSW Ministry of Health for 3 years.
No. The training is offered on a full-time basis only.
You may be able to work from home some of the time. You will generally be expected to be physically present at your work placement at least 3 days a week. Some placements may require more frequent workplace attendance.
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 will be selected for you to ensure they support your development and align with the strategic and operational priorities of NSW Health.
You will be matched to placements based on your skills, learning needs, professional interests and workplace needs.
The number of traineeships varies from year to year. Recent intakes have generally included between 4 and 8 trainees.
The NSW Ministry of Health typically recruits one intake of trainees each year to start in either February or August. This can vary from year to year depending on the number of available traineeships. Roles are generally advertised around 3 months before the anticipated start date.
Traineeships are advertised on websites including IWorkForNSW, SEEK and CareerOne. They are also advertised on this website.
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.
The traineeships are advertised through the NSW Health Jobs portal and may be promoted through I Work for NSW and other employment websites. Current opportunities will also be listed on the Current employment opportunities page.
Once the traineeships have been advertised, you can apply online via the NSW Health Jobs portal. There will be a link to this in the job advertisement.
You will be required to complete your application via the portal, and upload the following documents in PDF format:
Your application must include all required documents and be submitted by the advertised closing date and time.
No. We can only accept applications submitted through the NSW Health Jobs portal.
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 includes a range of assessment activities to help us to assess your suitability for the role.
The selection process generally follows the stages outlined below, although it may be adjusted from time to time.
We will review your online application to confirm that all required documentation has been provided and to assess whether you meet the entry requirements for the role.
Eligible and complete applications will be reviewed by a selection panel made up of 3 or more people, including the person the role reports to (or their representative). The panel will review your application against the requirements of the role.
If your application progresses through the selection panel review, you will be invited to complete a written work sample assessment. This assessment will be timed and is typically completed online.
If we are still considering you for the role, you will be invited to an interview. You will be asked a range of questions to help us assess your capabilities, experience and knowledge against the requirements of the role. This may include behavioural, scenario-based and technical questions. The interview will last between 20 and 40 minutes. It may be conducted in person or online.
Following the interview, we may invite you to complete another capability-based assessment. This assessment will be timed and completed online.
If we invite you for an interview, we will ask you to provide contact details for 2 professional referees including your current manager. We will contact your referees after the interview if we are still considering you for appointment.
If we are considering you for appointment, you will be required to complete any applicable pre-employment checks. These may include a national criminal record check, identification, right-to-work and service checks.
You will find out the outcome of your application once all stages of the selection process have been completed. This will generally be several weeks after the closing date for applications.
Yes. You can request feedback once you have been notified in writing that your application is unsuccessful.
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
