kick start career

Kick start your career in the public service: Top public service graduate programs

Are you a recent graduate? Have you considered working in the public service? Most state governments offer a range of graduate programs suitable for graduates with a variety of skill sets.

Here is a guide to some public service graduate programs that are currently open or will soon open in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.

Victoria

As part of the Victorian Government Graduate program, you will work in three different roles over a 12 month period across different government departments. You will receive personal and professional training in specialist areas. You must have completed an undergraduate or postgraduate degree to be eligible. The government is particularly looking for graduates with written and verbal communication skills, the ability to problem solve and analyse, adaptability and resilience as well as skills in teamwork and stakeholder engagement. Applications are open between Monday 4 March and Sunday 7 April 2024.

The DEECA Science graduate program opens on 9th June 2024. Over two years, graduates will be rotated through a variety of roles. The program is suitable for graduates of science, planning, natural resource management, agriculture, ecology, conservation, or related fields.

New South Wales

The New South Wales Government graduate program is 18 months, starting in February each year. The program is divided into several different streams.

The primary stream gives you experience across various roles in the NSW Government, in a range of areas. To be eligible you must have completed an undergraduate or postgraduate degree.

The legal stream is suitable for those who have completed a law degree. Under this stream graduates will work on litigation, developing policy and supplying legal advice. Graduates will also work towards a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice.

The Digital Stream is suitable for those with an information technology or technical degree. Graduates will be tasked with identifying cyber security risks, and designing and delivering products and services. Health, housing, customer service and transport are among the areas graduates will work in.

The social work stream is suitable for those with a social work, psychology, or social science welfare degree. Graduates apply their knowledge to help improve the lives of disadvantaged children, adults, families and communities. They will also learn how child protection works.

The engineering stream is suitable for those with an engineering degree. Graduates will work on analysing and addressing problems. They will develop practical ways to change things for the better.

Expressions of interest  for the 2025 NSW graduate program are now open.

Queensland

Applications for the Queensland Government’s  Policy Futures graduate program open on 25th March 2024.

The program is suitable for anyone who has recently graduated from an undergraduate or postgraduate degree.

Over two years, graduates will work across three different areas as a graduate Policy Officer. Health, education, transport, infrastructure and police and emergency services are among the areas covered by the program.

Applicants should be team players with strong communication skills, passionate about community and learning with a strong desire to improve.

The Queensland Government’s digital graduate program opens 1st June 2024

The Digital Graduate program involves a two-year paid placement in digital technology or customer support roles in Queensland government.

Graduates will work across the following areas:

Cyber Security

Cyber security is about evaluating risks and building trust in online government services.

Data

Data is about ensuring the government uses data as efficiently and effectively as possible, for maximum community benefit and effective decision making.

Operations and support

Operations and support is about working in a team to support digital projects and services.

Outcome management

Outcome management is about ensuring optimal digital outcomes are achieved. You will work to link business and technology, including technology in every aspect of business.

Design

Design is about developing and creating tools and services that facilitate interaction between  government and the public.

Technology

Technology is about helping managers understand what digital technologies can offer.

kick start career

As a graduate, a career in the public service could be for you, no matter your background.

Are you a graduate unsure how to make your application stand out? Public Service Resumes is pleased to offer a number of services for graduates including resume and key selection criteria writing service.