A program called Deadly Start is helping Indigenous youth in remote parts of Queensland gain healthcare experience and qualifications while still in high school. The initiative, run by Queensland Health, provides paid, hands-on training in various healthcare fields such as maternity, allied health, and aged care. In the Gulf region, 17-year-old Melinda Burns is among seven Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who have successfully completed the program, which has achieved a 100% completion rate for its 2025–26 cohort. The goal of the program is to create a sustainable local healthcare workforce by training individuals who are already connected to these remote communities, increasing the likelihood they will remain and work in the area after graduation.
Bias read (Center): The article focuses on a government-run educational and vocational training program aimed at improving healthcare access in remote regions. It presents the program’s goals, outcomes, and participant experiences without overt ideological framing or biased language. The content emphasizes the program’





