Impending Pilot Shortage requires Cadet Scheme To Fill Seats
So we can assume that this Looming pilot shortage will result AFTER the 1000s of experienced Aussie airline pilots, forced to work most of their flying careers overseas (in HK, the sand pit, SQ, Asia, Europe), have returned to Aus to fill the vacant positions, (assuming they would like to return to Aus).
Oh, maybe they are not expected to return. Why?
Perhaps because the T&Cs are so poor here now with these budget airlines they cannot justify returning even though they wish to.
As others have pointed out, there wasnt a shortage of pilots in Aus in 2007 and I doubt there will be for a very long time (if ever).
These cadet schemes are purely further 'cost cutting' by airline management beancounters.