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find your place at headspace
Register your interest in the headspace Graduate Program
The headspace Graduate Program did not receive funding for a 2026 intake. While this means we won’t be recruiting a new graduate cohort to commence in February 2026, the program remains a key advocacy priority for headspace National.
If you haven't done so already, follow the link below to submit an expression of interest. We will keep you informed regarding future program intakes as updates emerge.
Beyond the Graduate program, there are often roles available within the headspace network that are appropriate for early career mental health clinicians. We encourage you to keep an eye on upcoming job opportunities that may suit you via the headspace careers page.
Submit an expression of interest
About the headspace graduate program
The headspace graduate program offers you a 24-month position, with the opportunity to experience two 12-month rotations across two different headspace services. As a headspace clinician, you will play a pivotal role in delivering services to young people and their families within headspace’s internationally renowned model of youth mental health care. You will contribute to developing and providing high quality intake/assessment and ongoing psychological services to young people and their families and will make meaningful impact in the local community.
The program also offers you:
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40 days equivalent of professional education in foundational youth mental health skills and knowledge, spread across the program.
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Regular Clinical Educator/Senior Clinician contact to support you in applying learning to practice
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Discipline matched one-on-one clinical supervision on a weekly basis for the first three months, then fortnightly for the remainder of the program.
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One day a week of protected time from clinical work to engage in graduate program activities such as the education program and clinical supervision, to support your development.
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Opportunities to engage with other graduate clinicians in the program and connect to the broader headspace network.
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The opportunity to undertake one or more rotations in a regional, rural or remote community and have exposure to a greater diversity of clinical work
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Practical and financial support for relocation to ensure you land well in a new community.
Want to know more? Watch an information session recording
About the First Nations graduate program stream
For First Nations clinicians, headspace offers opportunities that meet you where you’re at, and allow you to develop your skills working in youth mental health. We offer support and choice: you decide if you want opportunities to work closely with Community or focus on other areas of development - or both! You can choose to apply through the First Nations stream and be supported and in contact with Indigenous staff throughout the process. But you can also apply through the general stream.
What support is offered under the First Nations’ stream?
Assumptions aren’t going to be made about what you need, but support is there if you want it. This support includes:
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Access to dedicated information sessions to have a yarn about the program
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Support and contact with Indigenous staff throughout the recruitment process
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Considerations of cultural needs during the placement process (for example, staying near Country, or practicing away from community and family)
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Cultural supervision throughout the program, to support your cultural safety and yarn about your journey as a worker, a practitioner, an individual and all the other roles you hold.
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Connection to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Staff Network
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The opportunity to work with young First Nations people and develop professional and cultural practices for First Nations clients (e.g., the Social and Emotional Wellbeing Model)
Our commitment to cultural safety: First Nations candidates and graduates are not assessed on, expected to share, or expected to develop their cultural knowledge as part of the graduate program.
Who we're looking for
The graduate program employs clinicians who have recently qualified as Occupational Therapists, Psychologists, or Social Workers in the last three years.
Beyond qualifications, we’re looking for early career clinicians who are:
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motivated to participate in a graduate program that provides a hands-on comprehensive introduction to the youth mental health sector
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engaged and energetic – those who bring enthusiasm to their work, embracing the challenges and rewards of working in youth mental health
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committed to self-development – those who take ownership of their growth and actively seek learning opportunities and feedback
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resilient and reflective – those who are resilient in the face of challenges, and understand how to support their own self-care in order to stay well and be effective in their role
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passionate and driven – those who are looking to make a difference and strive to provide good care to those they work with
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open to new experiences – those who are willing to learn by engaging in a range of work opportunities, and working in a new community, including in regional, rural and remote settings.
Who can I contact with questions regarding the program?
If you’d like to stay up to date with information regarding future graduate program intakes, please submit an expression of interest.
If you have a question that has not been answered on this webpage or in the applicant pack, or wish to discuss your personal circumstances, please contact us at graduates@headspace.org.au.
What is headspace?
headspace is the National Youth Mental Health Foundation providing early intervention mental health services to 12-25 year olds. headspace can help young people with mental health, physical health (including sexual health) alcohol and other drug services, and work and study support. Each year, headspace helps thousands of young people access vital support through our headspace centres across Australia, our online and phone counselling services, our work and study services, and our presence in schools. You can find a map of headspace centres here.
headspace’s vision is that all young people are supported to be mentally healthy and engaged in their communities. For this vision to become a reality, we must ensure that our services are culturally safe and responsive to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, their families, and by extension, communities. In recognition of this, we are committed to continuous improvement in the ways in which our services connect and engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.
headspace is a place like no other. It’s a place where people listen and support one another, working collaboratively to help build brighter futures. If you’re looking for a graduate role where you can hit the ground running, where you’ll gain unique experience and where you’ll continue to develop your skills with professional training – you’ll find your place at headspace.