T-vasis Yes, it's true BA have been offering a cadet scheme off and on since the 60s. They still recruit pilots from a variety of back grounds too.
BA used to send their cadets to fly turboprops and other regional aircraft to get some more experience. Also, their cadet schemes of old were a different animal to their new cadet scheme which they have just been interviewing for.
Europe as flown by the airlines is a fairly easy place to fly versus Australia. (Nearly 100% Radar environment, SIDS, STARS, ILSs)
I don't know how the Jetstar scheme works WRT being released on the line and what airports/approaches they can go to.
The old scheme BA would pay for the cadet's training. I believe it had a pretty high wash out rate (versus other full time schemes). The cadet would pay for it with a lower income for a few years post training.