2026 Barwon Health and Great Ocean Road Health Collaborative Graduate Nurse Program (Division 1)

 Employment Type -  Temporary Part Time

Hours per fortnight - 64 

Job Category - Nursing - Registered Nurse (Div 1)

Req Id - 4245 

Broaden Your Horizons

Line up your life and career with us at Barwon Health in Victoria, Australia

Imagine living in a stunning region that offers the best of both worlds - a supportive and nurturing work environment and a vibrant and fulfilling personal life.

• Receive exceptional support and guidance from our team dedicated to the clinical and professional development of all graduate nurses and be set up for success from the beginning of your career
• You'll work in an environment that truly values teaching and learning! You'll be empowered to take on new challenges, expand your skillset, and pursue your career goals with confidence.
• Encounter new challenges every day in diverse clinical environments and make a real difference in the lives of your patients.
• Eciting multiple temporary part time opportunities (64 hours per fortnight) until 14/02/2027

Are you looking to join a Graduate Nurse Program in 2026?

Barwon Health and Great Ocean Road Health are looking for graduate registered nurses to join a well-established and supportive graduate nurse program commencing in February 2026.

Great Ocean Road Health provides a comprehensive range of services, including acute, residential, aged care, primary and community care to the catchment area extending from Aireys Inlet to Lavers Hill and the hinterland townships. Services are provided on two sites, Lorne and Apollo Bay.

Lorne is an idyllic location on the Surf Coast which boasts spectacular coastal scenery, renowned surfing spots and beautiful beaches, all surrounded by the Great Otway National Park. 

Apollo Bay is defined as both rural and remote and is located on the Great Ocean Road in South West Victoria. Apollo Bay is a place of natural beauty with the wild open ocean, rugged coastline and the ferny forests of the Otway Ranges. Accommodation is available at Apollo Bay.

Program Structure

Graduate Nurses will complete a 6-month rotation at Great Ocean Road Health on either the Lorne or Apollo Bay site’s. There are 2 positions for the year at Lorne and 4 positions at Apollo Bay applicants must be able to fulfill the rotation at either site. Applicants will be asked for their preference after recruitment however due to the number of positions available at each site preferences are not guaranteed. Accommodation is available at Apollo Bay please visit the Barwon Health website for further details.

During this rotation, graduates will be expected to work across Acute, Urgent Care and Aged Care units.

Graduate Nurses will also complete a 6-month rotation at University Hospital Geelong, Barwon Health.

The program offers graduates a unique opportunity to gain clinical experience in both rural and regional health care settings. 

The Barwon Health Graduate Nurse Program can offer you the following:

• 53-week Graduate Program
• Work 64 hours/fortnight
• Dedicated clinical support team to provide support and guidance to graduates
• Orientation program and study days throughout the year
• Supernumerary time in each rotation
• Access to weekly graduate professional development sessions
• A wide range of opportunities and structured pathways available at the end of the program

To Apply:

Applications for the 2026 Collaborative Graduate Nurse Program with Great Ocean Road Health must be submitted online. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

• You must be eligible and registered to participate in PMCV Allocations and Placement Service Match. We cannot consider your application if you have not completed the registration process for PMCV.
• Ensure that you have read the detailed information provided on the Barwon Health website about what to include in your application before commencing your application

• Upload a concise CV (no more than three pages)
  • • Include a short statement about your career goal including any relevant skills/attributes or values that you believe make you an ideal candidate for the role
    • Embed a passport sized photo of yourself in your CV
    • Name and direct contact details of two clinical referees from two different clinical placements
    • List current/past employment details
    • List professional development completed during undergraduate degree
    • Name and direct contact details of one most recent employment referee
    • List all clinical placements including service name, clinical area, type of placement and dates of placement in table format. An example is provided below

Example Only: Table of placement details

In addition to your application online, please provide

• Official academic transcript (see notes below)

and

• Clinical appraisals x 2 (see notes below)

The transcripts and appraisals (referred to above) must be provided together via email at the time you are completing your online application:

• Email the academic transcript and clinical appraisals to GraduateProgramApplications@barwonhealth.org.au

Please Note:

• We cannot accept a statement of results or unofficial transcript. Any documents that are not the original electronic file must be certified
• We require 2 most recent acute placement clinical appraisal tools
• Appraisal tools should include formative, summative and all pages completed by the clinical facilitator/supervisor of the placement
• Clinical appraisals that are completed in Pebblepad do not need to be certified. Please follow Pebblepad instructions on how to send the document in a concise format that is easy to read

Please note: If you do not have the required number of clinical appraisals at the time of application, you must submit what you have and explain your circumstances in the email.

We will review all applications submitted and if we need further information or documentation we will contact you.

Successful applicants will be notified by the PMCV Allocation and Placement Service on Wednesday, 17th September 2025.

About Barwon Health

Barwon Health is one of the largest and most comprehensive regional health services in Australia, providing care at all stages of life and circumstance. Services available through Barwon Health cover the full spectrum from primary care, community services, aged care, rehabilitation, mental health, emergency and acute care. We serve more than 500,000 people through the efforts of more than 9000 staff and volunteers across more than 20 sites. Barwon Health is committed to developing a vibrant culture of education, training and research that advances health and wellbeing for all.

About the facility 

Our major sites include University Hospital Geelong in Geelong’s CBD, the McKellar Centre precinct in North Geelong, Barwon Health North in Norlane, and residential aged care facilities spanning the region. Comprehensive mental health, community health and dental services are delivered through various programs across the Barwon South West Region, including Torquay and Colac.

About the culture

You will have the opportunity to be part of a highly skilled, professional and dedicated team who take pride in providing high quality services. We promote positive, respectful relationships and strong partnerships within the workplace. Grow and develop your capabilities with Barwon Health’s commitment to professional development.

Barwon Health staff benefits

• Excellent working conditions with a high sense of job satisfaction
• A vibrant staff wellbeing program and access to our 24/7 Employee Assistance Program
• Wide-range of professional development opportunities to enhance your career
• Attractive salary packaging benefits. Living expenses capped at $9,010 and meals and entertainment capped at $2,650

About Geelong - Derived from the local Wathaurong Aboriginal name for the region Djilang, Geelong is thought to mean ‘Tongue of Land’.

• Geelong offers a range of lifestyle choices including inner city, coastal, suburban and rural homes
• Geelong is home to world class schools and education providers
• Doorstep to the Great Ocean Road, Bellarine Peninsula and the Surf Coast
• Appreciate our vast and abundant parklands, sports and entertainment attractions, and thriving dining and shopping complexes

To learn more about the region, click here. 

Diversity and Inclusion

We believe in the power of diversity and inclusion. We celebrate the unique backgrounds, perspectives, and talents of our team members, fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and respected.

Our commitment to diversity strengthens our ability to provide compassionate and equitable care to all individuals, regardless of their backgrounds, abilities and identities.

We are committed to providing positive employment opportunities and a workplace that promotes wellbeing, and we welcome and encourage applications from those who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.

We actively encourage individuals with disabilities and diverse backgrounds and identities to apply for our positions. Should you require any reasonable adjustments or support during the recruitment process, we are here to assist you every step of the way.

We are committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. Click here for further information on the Victorian Government’s Child Safe Standards.

We are also proud to be Totally Smoke Free.

If you need assistance with your application for this role, please email the Talent Acquisition team at talent.acquisition@barwonhealth.org.au with your preferred contact method and details, and we will get in touch with you. Please note we do not accept resumes via email.

Prior to commencement with Barwon Health, all new employees are required to provide a completed Barwon Health Immunity Status form and have Staff Care clearance.

Contact:  Carolyn Steinman

Contact Email:  carolyn.steinman@barwonhealth.org.au

Application closing date: 2nd, July 2025

Position Description