2027 SBS Indigenous Journalism Cadetship

Special Broadcasting Service Corporation; Sydney; On-site; AUD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health checks

Salary packaging

Employee Assistance Programme

Flexible work arrangements

Gym membership

Job summary

SBS offers a 12-month cadetship for recent journalism graduates or community broadcasters to build a career in broadcast and digital journalism. Starting February 2027, cadets will work across TV, radio and digital platforms, with most teams based in Sydney and placements in Canberra and Melbourne.

Working under guidance, cadets will research, produce and report stories that matter across SBS News and Current Affairs, contributing to content on all platforms and taking part in evening and

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in Journalism or related field or equivalent journalism experience.
• Experience reporting or producing for TV, radio, or digital platforms (university/community media, internships, or industry).
• Strong knowledge of Indigenous issues and national/international current affairs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Familiarity with SBS and NITV News programming.

Responsibilities

• Research and pitch original story ideas for TV, radio, and digital platforms.
• Produce and report content across multiple formats.
• Take part in newsroom and field-based training across SBS and NITV teams.
• Support coverage of breaking news and major events.
• Develop story ideas aligned with SBS editorial values: accuracy, balance, impartiality and impact.

Skills

Journalism experience

Indigenous issues knowledge

Written and verbal communication

Initiative and curiosity

Community engagement

Education

Tertiary qualification in Journalism or related field

Job description

With a content portfolio like no other media organisation in the country, SBS occupies multiple channels and platforms, and provides a unique opportunity for employees to help make Australia a better place to live.

Applicants must identify as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. SBS considers that being Aboriginal and/or a Torres Strait Islander is a genuine occupational requirement for this position under s 14 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW).

At SBS, we embrace difference, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.

We also acknowledge the unique contribution that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples make to our society and our workplace through their enduring and continued connection to land, sea, sky and community.

As a rostered shiftworker, additional shift penalty payments may apply for work performed outside of ordinary hours, including weekends and public holidays, as per the SBS Enterprise Agreement (EA). SBS may also require you to work reasonable overtime, where overtime will be paid at applicable rates in accordance with the EA.

About the Program

Build your journalism career with one of Australia’s most trusted and distinctive media organisations.

SBS’s highly regarded News and Current Affairs division is offering 12-month cadetships to recent journalism graduates or community broadcasters looking to build a career in broadcast and digital journalism.

Starting in February 2027, cadets will work across a variety of SBS platforms, including television, radio, and digital. Most of SBS’s News and Current Affairs teams are based in Sydney, with cadets also undertaking placements in Canberra and Melbourne, NITV News, current affairs programs such asDatelineandInsight.

Working under guidance and as part of a team, cadets will contribute to SBS News and Current Affairs content across all platforms, researching, producing, and reporting stories that matter. The role includes evening and weekend shifts, supporting SBS’s 24/7 news operation.

Curious about where the cadetship could take you? Read Phoebe McIlwraith's story , from SBS Indigenous Journalism Cadet to Cross-Platform Journalist with NITV.

Key Responsibilities

• Research and pitch original story ideas for TV, radio, and digital platforms
• Produce and report content across multiple formats
• Take part in newsroom and field-based training across SBS and NITV teams
• Support coverage of breaking news and major event
• Build your journalism skills in line with SBS’s editorial values: accuracy, balance, impartiality and impact

About You

• A tertiary qualification in Journalism or a related field, or equivalent journalism experience, such as community media or broadcasting experience.
• Experience reporting or producing content for TV, radio, or digital platforms, this could be through university or community media, internships, or in industry.
• Strong knowledge of issues affecting Indigenous communities as well as national and international current affairs
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Familiarity with SBS and NITV News and Current Affairs programming
• Initiative, curiosity, and a drive to develop meaningful story ideas
• Community connections and a commitment to elevating and amplifying the voices of First Nations people and communities

Please Note: the cadetship is a 12-month program with no guarantee of ongoing employment however those who successfully complete the cadetship may be considered for relevant vacancies across SBS News and Current Affairs.

As part of our recruitment process, SBS may conduct reference checks and review information that is publicly available online, including social media profiles, in line with privacy and anti-discrimination laws. If we collect information from any other sources, candidates will be notified in line with privacy laws.

Applications close at 11:55pm on Sunday 13th September

We recognise that candidates may use AI tools to support application drafting. While AI may assist with structure, clarity or grammar, submissions should reflect your own experience and judgement. AI tools must not be used during interviews or assessment tasks unless permitted by SBS. You remain responsible for the accuracy and originality of the information you provide throughout the recruitment process.

Some of the reasons to consider working with us:

• The people! We truly celebrate and welcome difference at SBS and encourage everyone to bring their whole self to work & you’ll be part of one of the most inclusive companies in Australia!
• The culture and the engagement of our workforce! 90% of our employees have stated that they are proud to work for SBS!
• We offer a range of benefits from, health care checks, salary packaging, Employee Assistance Programme, flexible work arrangements and discounted gym membership nationally with Fitness Pass.
• We’re agile and innovative in the way we work, as well as being a trusted and established brand. At SBS we have been broadcasting for over 50 years and our future is packed with many more exciting developments!
• We also love to promote from within! Our divisions support development opportunities to help team members grow and move into new roles.

Want to learn more? Then hit apply and take the first step to applying not just for another job but a possible whole new career in a purpose led organisation.

SBS is one of the world's most unique and innovative media organisations, producing trusted, meaningful, and engaging content that exists for all Australians to inspire, support and celebrate the diversity of our multicultural society.

Our purpose, for the last 50 years, has reflected and explored the evolving diversity of Australia, investing in initiatives to deepen its connections with communities, sharing their stories and giving a voice to those often unheard, with the aim of increasing understanding and respect of the differences that make up Australia.

SBS is a truly distinctive network, showcasing multicultural, multilingual and First Nations stories otherwise untold in the Australian media.

Reasonable adjustments

SBS recognises that everyone is unique, and you might require some adjustments to ensure you have the best opportunity to apply and put your skills forward for consideration. If we can make some adjustments to the SBS recruitment/interview process to better enable you to shine, then please [e-mail] and let us know.

Adjustments include but are not limited to, alternative application methods, interview setups, physical requirements, guidance for trans or gender diverse applicants, specific interview availability times and more.

To find out more about reasonable adjustments with SBS, please view our videohere .

SBS is proud to partner with the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower initiative, helping us create a workplace where people feel seen, understood, and supported.

We are shortlisting applications as they come in, so don’t delay, apply today!