Salary wise, although I'm not entirely sure of the exact figures in the cadetship you start off on say 55k a year and after 18 months - 2 years you're on the same wage as a direct entry FO
I have asked this before without response. Is this anywhere in the actual EBA or AWA or whatever contract that these cadets are employed under? When the scam/scheme started there was no provision for a cadet to earn the equivalent FO pay until they held an ATPL. ATPL requires a certain amount of command time and unless it was logged before entering, the only way to do this would be via ICUS. Very much an "out of the goodness of their hearts" gift from Jetstar.
Unless this is black and white in the contract then do it, otherwise I would be very wary. Don't simply believe what you have been told by flying schools or interview prep companies.