Application details

Essential Criteria

To be considered for this program, applicants must be

  • An Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander leader
  • Able to attend all three modules throughout the year
  • Able to undertake interstate and international travel in 2026
  • Able to undertake long travel days, some off-road walking with a moderate level of physical health and fitness. Please contact Emily to discuss any mobility questions.

Key Selection Criteria

You will be required to submit a two-page cover letter responding to the key selection criteria.

  • Sound experience working in the health sector in community, policy, government or clinical areas with leadership responsibilities
  • Passionate, innovative and ethical and working to improve Indigenous health outcomes
  • Motivated to build on your leadership, in your local context
  • Willingness to contribute to discussions and be challenged by diversity of thinking

Video response

You will be required to record a two-minute video of yourself describing your leadership experience to date.

The video is an opportunity for us to get to know you beyond the words of your application. We recommend saving the video as a .MP4 file, to be uploaded on the application page.

Statement of  Support

A statement of support from your manger that briefly states*

  • Foreseeable benefits of the program for the applicant, workplace and broader community
  • A description of the applicant’s leadership
  • An endorsement/confirmation letter stating approval for the applicant to take leave to attend all three week-long modules
  • Acknowledgement of how the registration fee will be covered (employer, scholarship etc).

* Self-employed applicants should provide a letter of reference from a regular senior professional colleague.

How to apply

Applications open from 22 September for the 2026 Melbourne Poche Indigenous Health Leadership program.

Applications must include

  • Cover letter with responses to the Key Selection Criteria (two page max)
  • A two-minute video describing your leadership experience to date
  • A current CV
  • A statement of support from your manager (workplace) or supervisor (PhD candidate)

Please note that program places are limited. The selection process will consider group composition, including gender balance, a diversity of roles, geographical locations and sector spread.

Apply using WeTransfer

Please apply using WeTransfer, a free large file transfer service at https://wetransfer.com/

  • Add all four files
  • Email to poche-centre@unimelb.edu.au
  • Title: 2026 Indigenous Health Leadership Program

Note: Applications for the 2026 program have been extended and will close on Monday 13th October 2025 (11:59pm AEDT).

For more information or queries, please contact Joshua Paulson, Indigenous Health Leadership Project Officer.