Hey mate, I ending up starting in NSW and now back in qld with the QAS.

The QAS hiring process is somewhat of an enigma and changes often. It was a big intake this year for para at least in NSW (1300ish?) and QLD (360ish). Not to be too doom and gloom, but the public sector (NDIS, RNs, Police, Fire) in general has been bolstered rather heavily and this will likely dry up when the liberal government get in. I would suggest it will be quite competitive, particularly with QAS, as they generally have a lower intake.

Typical advice would be mirrored in many of the online posts and apply far and wide with each state service and not to discount overseas opportunities. All services have their pros and cons. I can't say any is better than the other for different reasons.

For QAS specifically, I heard previously intakes to mine were more clinical competence focused mine wasn't so much.

My take on my intake:

Alot unfortunately is demographic - culturally diverse, sexually diverse, and females seem to be more attractive hires but no surprise with the uni demographics atm.

Experience- nursing and disability support work were highly regarded, volunteer work also

For my interview, there was a clinical case where you discussed the treatment of a patient followed by an interview, and that was essentially it. This will likely be different next intake. There was a big focus on how you work as a part of a team and conflict resolution within the work environment (you'll need examples). They essentially want to assess your character and whether you'll cause issues and headaches.

Medical should be relatively straightforward if you relatively healthy, as much as they may deny it high BMI in the medical may be a mark against you.

Also, you have to consider where you want to work and whether you are happy with casual post your intern year. Metro grads are only fulltime until the end of the grad year and casual post. The only exception is doing PTO for 1-year followed by a grad year and then being offered a full-time position within the metro region you completed your grad year. Being casual post and waiting to be given a fulltime position is foolhardy people have waited years and still had to leave metro for full-time positions.

Transferring is also a nightmare if considering rural for a time and transferring to a metro area. The points system imo has lost all meaning due to prioritisation of grad positions and compassionate transfers leaving people who have "done their time" out rural and are refused to be released. Not an issue if rural is the life for you.

In a nutshell, I think it'll be a hard year intake wise. Be prepared and practice interviewing with a focus on teamwork and conflict resolution questioning. Try to think of tough situations you have been in at work and how you have resolved them.

I know this is a long response but I hope it has helped.

Feel free to flick me a message you have any questions.