With regards to the comparisons between cadet schemes eg. QF vs Jetstar, at face value it appears as though the jetstar cadetship is a lot more attractive! With jetstar, it'll be much quicker to the right hand seat of a jet, bypassing industry placement and years as a sh*t kicking SO that a QF cadet has to put up with. Qf cadets now have to complete a second selection process after placement before being accepted as a sh*t kicking SO, jetstar cadets complete one selection process. Then there's seniority. Qf cadets wait 2-4 years from graduation to get seniority while jetstar cadets get it straight up, therefore quicker jet commands.
Assuming Jetstar continue their rapid expansion, a jetstar cadet could reasonably expect to take a jet command 5-6 years from graduation (maybe quicker with max hours?). For a Qf cadet, they'll wait 2-4 years in placement, then 5-6 years as an SO before they even become an FO.