Applications are now open for WEX Regional 2022

Applications are now open for the first ever Work Exposure in Government (WEX) Regional event, which will be held in Cairns from 18 to 22 July 2022.

The application period is open until Friday, 20 May 2022.

This is a great opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in years 10, 11 and 12 in Queensland and the Northern Territory to travel to Cairns and learn about regional career opportunities in the Australian Public Service.

WEX Regional participants will be selected from a variety of geographical locations within Queensland and the Northern Territory, ranging from very remote to urban.

Accommodation, transportation and meals are provided at no cost. WEX students are supported by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mentors, teachers and support staff throughout the whole event.

Applications are also open for teachers and support staff.

WEX Regional activities and experiences may include:

• Meeting Indigenous leaders and getting advice on career planning.
• Working alongside Indigenous mentors who will help guide your personal leadership journey.
• Meeting other Indigenous students and future leaders.
• Visits to Australian Government agencies such as the Australian Defence Force and National Indigenous Australians Agency.
• 1 on 1 and small group workshops on leadership, mentoring and preparing to complete Year 12.
• Cultural activities.
• A Careers Expo, where students can talk to representatives from a range of government agencies.
• Prizes and Giveaways.

By the end of WEX, you will have a better understanding of what a career in the APS could look like and the support available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees.

Testimonials from past participants will give you an insight into why you should go.

‘My favourite part was attending Parliament House and experiencing how far Indigenous Australians have come but also how much further we have to go, and that really inspired me to make a difference and continue to strive with my goals,’ said Tiarna Williams from Pymble Ladies’ College in Sydney.

Ammbigai Muir, a Wongi young woman said she wanted to be an inspiration to her family back home in Leonora, north of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia.

“I joined the WEX program because I wanted to develop more leadership roles and the skills that you need to be a leader and be more confident in public speaking,” she said.

We’re excited to be holding the first WEX Regional event in Cairns, to showcase the variety of APS work available in regional Australia.

WEX events have been held in Canberra since 2010 and this year is no exception.

WEX Canberra will run in the month of October. There will be a separate application process for WEX Canberra later in the year.

Further information and application forms are available at WEX.