Anthony Segaert, who joined the Herald as a trainee in 2022, said there’s no better program to develop skills as a journalist.

“The thing that struck me about my trainee year in the newsroom was how diverse it was. I spent time reporting on the Sydney to Hobart (yacht race), business investigations, major events, online trends, and many more things in between,” he said.

“I learnt how to find stories across the city and to write breaking news. My reporting improved and my writing became more succinct.”

We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disabilities and people of all ages, nationalities, backgrounds and cultures.

The successful candidates will have excellent writing and interpersonal skills, a deep understanding of news and current affairs, and a curiosity about people and issues. We are particularly interested in applicants with a passion for data journalism and visual storytelling.

Tertiary qualifications are preferred but not essential. These qualifications are not limited to journalism, media or communications studies – we encourage all individuals with an aptitude for journalism and a portfolio of written work to apply.

The traineeships are 12-month fixed-term contracts with the potential to secure a permanent role at the end of the contract. These are full-time rostered positions and could involve shift work including weekends. The traineeships will commence from July 2024.

To apply for the program, you must submit the following:

• A résumé;
• Three pieces of your own published journalism including at least one in written form (publication could include in a university magazine or newspaper, blog or other media outlet);
• A discussion piece of a maximum of 500 words responding to one of the following questions:

1. What do you believe to be the core traits of independent journalism? What do media organisations have to do to protect their reputations?
2. The cost of living is front of mind for most Australians. How would you explore this topic in an original way for our readers?

Applications close on April 8, and traineeships will commence after July 1.

Please note: To be considered, you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or an Australian permanent resident.