Public health careers

Job boards, graduate programs and practical tips for people looking for public health work in Australia, whether you grew up here or came here to study.

Before you apply: Public Health Australia is not a recruiter. We don't post jobs, screen employers or pass on applications. Never pay money to apply for a job or to "secure" a role, and always check the ad on the employer's own website.

Where to look

Australian Government

• APSJobs: Australian Public Service jobs, including federal health agencies. Most APS jobs require Australian citizenship.
• APS graduate programs: entry-level programs for recent graduates.
• Department of Health, Disability and Ageing: work with us
• Workforce Australia: the Australian Government's general job board.

State and territory health services

• NSW Health jobs
• Victoria: Department of Health careers
• Queensland Government (Smart Jobs)
• WA Health jobs
• SA Health careers
• Tasmania: Department of Health careers
• ACT Government jobs
• NT Government jobs

Community, not-for-profit and international

• Ethical Jobs: not-for-profit, community and social sector roles.
• Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA): the national peak body for public health, with news, events and student membership. PHAA is a separate organisation and is not connected with this website.
• World Health Organization careers
• United Nations careers

If you're an international student

• Work hours: Study Australia says student visa holders can work up to 48 hours every two weeks while studying and unlimited hours during study breaks. Rules can change, so check your own visa conditions on the Department of Home Affairs website or in VEVO. Source: Study Australia: work in Australia.
• Your pay and rights: Visa holders have the same workplace rights as everyone else in Australia, including minimum pay. See the Fair Work Ombudsman: visa holders and migrants.
• After you graduate: read about the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485).
• Citizenship rules: many government roles need Australian citizenship or permanent residency. Check the eligibility section of each ad before you apply.
• Visa advice: we can only share general information and links. For advice about your own visa, talk to a registered migration agent (check the register at mara.gov.au) or your university's international student support team.

Tips for public health job seekers

• Read the selection criteria closely and answer each one with a short, real example.
• Volunteering, placements and research assistant roles count as experience. List them.
• Job titles vary. Search for "health promotion", "epidemiology", "population health", "policy officer" and "project officer" as well as "public health".

Avoid job scams

Be careful if someone asks you to pay a fee, asks for your bank or ID details before a proper interview, contacts you only through WhatsApp or Telegram, or offers pay that seems too good to be true. Learn the signs at Scamwatch: jobs and employment scams.

Links last checked: 31 October 2026. Job ads come from third parties and may be out of date or removed. Listing a job or website here is not an endorsement. This is general information, not career, legal or migration advice.