Frequently asked questions about the 黑料吃瓜网 Biostatistics Training Program

On this page

  1. About the training program
  2. About the Master of Biostatistics
  3. Eligibility
  4. Employment
  5. Applying for a traineeship
  6. Further information

About the training program

  • The 黑料吃瓜网 Biostatistics Training Program is a three-year full-time workplace-based training program in biostatistics.

    The program is delivered by the 黑料吃瓜网 Ministry of Health in partnership with the University of Sydney and the Biostatistics Collaboration of Australia.

  • 鈥婽rainees rotate through a series of supervised work placements within the 黑料吃瓜网 health system.

    Trainees develop skills and knowledge in a range of competency areas outlined in the 黑料吃瓜网 Biostatistics Training Program Competency Framework. 

    Trainees also complete a Master of Biostatistics degree part-time via distance learning through the University of Sydney.

  • 鈥婽raineeships are based in the Sydney metropolitan area. Placements are generally located within the 黑料吃瓜网 Ministry of Health; however, placements may also be offered in other 黑料吃瓜网 Health entities, such as the Cancer Institute 黑料吃瓜网, or in 黑料吃瓜网-based population health research centres.

  • 鈥媃es. Trainees are required to enrol in a Master of Biostatistics degree at the University of Sydney.鈥�

    If you successfully complete the program, you will be awarded a Master of Biostatistics degree, receive a certificate of completion from the 黑料吃瓜网 Ministry of Health, and be eligible for accreditation as a Graduate Statistician with the Statistical Society of Australia.鈥�

  • 鈥婭t is your responsibility to find a job after your traineeship ends. More than 90% of program graduates find work in biostatistical or statistical roles, and more than half are employed by 黑料吃瓜网 Health immediately after completing the program. About 25% find roles in 黑料吃瓜网 universities and about 20% find roles in research organisations.

About the Master of Biostatistics

  • 鈥婽he Master of Biostatistics is generally completed part-time over three years.

  • 鈥婲辞. The 黑料吃瓜网 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 黑料吃瓜网 Ministry of Health which sets out the terms and conditions under which the Ministry agrees to pay for the Master of Biostatistics.

  • 鈥媃es. Although the Master of Biostatistics is offered through several Australian universities, you will be required to enrol through the University of Sydney.

  • 鈥媃es. 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.

Eligibility

  • 鈥婽he traineeships are open to people who:

    • meet the entry requirements for a Master of Biostatistics at the University of Sydney. This requires holding a bachelor's degree in statistics, mathematics, science, psychology, medicine, pharmacy, economics, health sciences or other appropriate qualification with a minimum credit average mark of 65% or equivalent
    • have an aptitude for advanced mathematical work
    • have high-level knowledge of statistical concepts and methods
    • have extensive experience in the use of statistical software packages
    • have the right to work in Australia for the duration of the traineeship. You must be an Australian Citizen or permanent resident or a New Zealand citizen with a current New Zealand Passport, or a citizen of another country with an appropriate visa that allows you to work in Australia.
    In addition, due to the competitive nature of these traineeships, relevant work experience in a data-related field is highly desirable.

  • Yes. In 2025, we are trialling a change to the eligibility criteria. You can apply regardless of which university you are enrolled at or how many subjects you have completed. 鈥�

  • Yes. In 2025, we are trialling a change to the eligibility criteria. You can apply if you have already completed a Master of Biostatistics and are looking to gain work experience in biostatistics. 鈥嬧赌�

  • 鈥媃ou 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鈥嬧赌� or provisional visas.

    You must include evidence of your right to work in Australia in your written application.

  • 鈥婲辞.

  • No. COVID-19 vaccination is not required to be employed by 黑料吃瓜网 Health. However, vaccination continues to provide strong individual protection from serious illness and death due to COVID-19. The revised PD2024_015 Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination Against Specified Infectious Diseases strongly recommends that all 黑料吃瓜网 Health workers stay up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccinations.

Employment

  • 鈥婲辞. The training is offered on a full-time basis only.

  • 鈥媃ou may be able to work from home some of the time. You will be expected to be physically present at the 黑料吃瓜网 Health facility at 1 Reserve Rd, St Leonards at least 3 days a week, unless your work placement is based at another location. Some work placements may require you to be physically present in the workplace more than 3 days a week.鈥�

  • 鈥媃es. 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.

  • 鈥媃es. 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.

  • 鈥婲辞. Work placements are determined by the senior executive team to ensure they align with the strategic and operational priorities of 黑料吃瓜网 Health. 

    You will be matched to placements based on your skill levels, learning needs, professional interests and workplace needs.

Applying for a traineeship

  • 鈥婣round eight traineeships are available each year.

  • 鈥婽here 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.

  • 鈥婽raineeships are advertised on websites including IWorkFor黑料吃瓜网, SEEK and CareerOne. They are also advertised on this website - see How to Apply.

  • 鈥婽he 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 黑料吃瓜网 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:

    • written response to the targeted questions in the job advertisement
    • current resume or curriculum vitae 
    • full academic transcript for your relevant qualification(s)
    • evidence of your right to work in Australia.

    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.

  • 鈥婲辞. Only applications submitted through the 黑料吃瓜网 Health Jobs portal can be accepted.

  • 鈥婲辞. 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.

  • 鈥婲辞. 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:

    Stage 1 - Initial screening

    Your online application will be considered by a selection panel made up of three or more people, including the person that the role reports to. The panel will review your application against the requirements of the role.

    Stage 2 - Capability-based assessment

    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.

    Stage 3 - Interview

    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.

    Stage 4 - Reference checks

    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.

    Stage 5 - Other screening checks

    If required, additional screening checks may be conducted, including national criminal record check, identification checks, citizen or residency status and service check (for current 黑料吃瓜网 Government employees).

  • 鈥媃ou 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.


  • 鈥媃es. Once you are notified in writing that your application is unsuccessful you can request feedback from a member of the selection panel.

  • 鈥媃es. You can apply as many times as you like. However, we strongly encourage you to seek feedback on your unsuccessful application before reapplying.

Further information

  • 鈥婭f 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


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Current as at: Wednesday 13 April 2022
Contact page owner: Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence