About NICP
The National Indigenous Cadetship Project (NICP) is a Commonwealth Government initiative aimed at improving the professional employment prospects of Indigenous Australians. The NICP is administered by the Indigenous Employment Branch in the Department of Employment, Workplace Relations (DEWR). The program is targeted at Indigenous people about to commence or who have already commenced, tertiary studies.
The Oodgeroo Unit can help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students with the application process and provide detailed information about the program.
Who to contact?
QUT Oodgeroo Unit has an officer who is available to assist Inidgenous undergraduate students interested in participating in the NICP. Please contact us on telephone (07) 3138 3610 or email oodgeroo@qut.edu.au for further information.
Eligibility criteria for NICP
The main elibility criteria are that you must be a full-time student who:
- is of Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, identifies as an Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and is accepted as an Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander in the community
- you would usually be studying for your first degree and not be studying as an external student. However if you are studying for a second or higher degree or studying externally DEWR may approve an application for a cadetship in special circumstances.
Assistance
If an employer sponsors you as a cadet:
- You will receive a study allowance while you are studying full-time between March and November (40 weeks) each year; and
- You will be paid a salary while you undertake work experience during the long semester break between December and February (12 weeks).
If you are accepted as a cadet and you are receiving Abstudy you must advise Centrelink immediately. If you or your partner are receiving any payments from Centrelink you should talk to Centrelink about how cadetship payments would affect your Centrelink payments. You must advise Centrelink about your cadetship as soon as you have signed an agreement with an employer.
You will not receive your normal Abstudy allowance once accepted onto a cadetship. The allowance will be determined as per the industrial agreement with your employer.
How to apply
Please contact Oodgeroo Staff on telephone (07) 3138 3610 or email oodgeroo@qut.edu.au
Alternatively, contact Department of Employment, Workplace Relations (DEWR) direct. Contact details for DEWR and further information can be found on their website at www.nicp.dewr.gov.au.