About the Graduate Development Program

A chance to show us what you’re made of

If you enjoy a challenge and like to achieve your goals, we’d really like to hear from you. Our graduates are drawn from all academic disciplines including, but not limited to:

• business, economics, accounting and finance;
• arts;
• political science;
• public policy;
• information technology;
• international relations;
• town planning;
• law; and
• engineering.

So, what’s in it for you?

The Department of Infrastructure and Transport’s Graduate Development Program (GDP) runs for 10 months and offers exciting learning and development opportunities to kick start your career in the Australian Public Service.

• The program is designed to set you up for, and to ensure your, career progression.  You’ll be invited to a familiarisation day before you start so you can get to know Canberra, the Department and your fellow graduates;
• You’ll receive a ‘buddy’ who is a former graduate who can show you the ropes and help you settle into Canberra—just one way we’ll help you to transition from uni to full time work;
• You’ll attend a graduate orientation session to give you an introduction about working life in the Department;
• You’ll participate in a structured learning and development program including a Graduate Certificate in Public Administration along with a range of other courses, seminars and workshops;
• You’ll undertake three work rotations in areas that may include policy development, project management, planning, research and analysis, communications, people management, preparing financial statements, regulatory reform and contract management;
• In 2013, you’ll be paid $53,086 during your grad year, which means you can say goodbye to 2 minute noodles; and
• When you successfully complete the program, you have guaranteed career progression to an APS Level 5 earning $67,635.

Training and development

The GDP runs for 10 months, from late January to early December each year.  During this time, you’ll undertake a number of learning and development activities to prepare you for career progression at the end of the program.

Three workplace rotations—will provide you with a range of on the job work epxeriences and a broad overview of the Department. These rotations may be in the areas of policy, program, project, planning, research and analysis, corporate or regulatory reform. Rotations are a great way for you to build networks and find areas that you’re really passionate about working in.

Formal training and development—we recognise that you’ve already spent years at uni and we want to build on that. A Graduate Certificate in Public Administration (through the University of Canberra) will provide you with understanding and capability in the area of public administration, important for career progression in the public sector. The best part? We pay for your study and you go to uni during paid work time!

Other training and development—along with the formal qualification, you will receive other training and development to help you to fully understand the Department and the legislation and regulations it develops and administers. Training in project management is also provided to help you to plan for and undertake an industry tour out in the field.

Personal and career development—this really is a development year and along with formal training you will also be provided with individual support throughout the program. Prior to commencement you’ll be allocated a ‘buddy’ from the previous year’s program and during the year you’ll meet with the GDP Coordinator individually to talk through your placements. A professional career coaching session at the end of the year will also help you to set goals beyond the GDP. In addition, each year the graduate cohort takes on responsbility for the Department’s Social Club, so you’ll soon get to know many people in the Department.

It’s not all work and no play

As a member of our team we want to make sure you feel right at home and enjoy your time as a graduate.

• We’ll hook you up with a membership of the Social Network of Graduates (SNoG), a fun and rewarding social network open only to graduates working in the Australian Public Service in Canberra.
• You’ll be encouraged to be involved in plenty of social, sporting and networking opportunities throughout the program.
• You’ll be part of the Department’s Social Club and responsible for regular happy hours, raising money for charity and organising the Department’s Christmas party.

Don’t just take our word

Jon Frazer—2011 Graduate

My name is Jon. I am a Sydney native and a graduate of UTS, having studied Communications (Social Inquiry) and International Studies with a French major (that will hopefully come in handy...one day).  Before coming to the Department, I spent some time working on various Committees in NSW Parliament.  My three rotations have given me exposure to a broad range of the work within the portfolio.  I worked on Senate Estimates processes in the Ministerial and Parliamentary Services team, then moved to the Policy Development Unit, where I was primarily focused on carbon pricing policy issues concerning the Department.  For my third rotation, I moved to the Investment and Financial Policy team, which has given me the opportunity to work on future infrastructure financing options and other projects within the Nation Building program.  Overall, I cannot recommend this graduate program highly enough.  Grads are welcomed with a supportive atmosphere from all levels of the Department and are presented with opportunities to develop skills and experience across all areas of the portfolio.

Jess Fitzgerald Beissbarth—2011 Graduate

My name is Jess. I studied Law and International Relations at La Trobe in Melbourne, and was admitted as a solicitor in 2010. I decided to join the Department rather than pursue a legal career in the hope that I would work a range of interesting emerging public issues. Luckily, I’ve been able to do so. I have had rotations in policy, corporate and program sections and my work has been widely varied—from commenting on cabinet submissions to writing media releases and developing project management plans for deploying officers. I have found my supervisors to be supportive and concerned about my professional development. I’ve made new graduate friends that made the long and chilly Canberra winter quite fun. I highly recommend the Department’s Graduate Program.”—Jess Beissbarth 2011 Graduate

Mitch Neto—2011 Graduate

My name is Mitch. I’m originally from Wollongong, NSW where I studied law and economics. For me the Industry Tour was definitely the highlight of the Graduate Development Program.  It gave us the opportunity to visit a city in Australia in order to develop a greater understanding of how industry and the Department interact.  Because the Graduates are responsible for the planning and organisation of the Industry Tour, it’s a really great opportunity to expand your knowledge of the Department and develop your professional skills.  It’s also a great way to get to know your fellow grads better.

Britt Walters—2010 Graduate

My name is Britt Walters and I was a part of the 2010 Department of Infrastructure and Transport graduate program. I am currently working in the Legal Services Branch as an in-house Lawyer for the Department.

I’m originally from a place called Mount View, in the vineyards of the Hunter Valley in NSW. I completed my bachelor of Business, bachelor of laws and diploma of Legal Practice at the University of Newcastle in 2009. I am currently completing my Masters of Law at the Australian National University and am hoping to finish my studies next year (and never, ever go back!).

I found the Department’s graduate program to be an amazing experience for career development opportunity and the amazing colleagues and friends you meet along the way. I think the grad program is the perfect size in terms of the number of graduates the Department takes. This allows you to meet and get to know everyone.

One of the highlights of the grad program for me, was the number of lifelong friends that I have made along the way. It’s a good taster on working in the corporate world, whilst also encouraging the many social aspects that arise from working here. The program has many benefits including the opportunity to do 3 rotations throughout the Department, work in the Executive’s Office with the Secretary and Deputy Secretaries or do a rotation at Parliament House in the Minister’s Office. All graduates also participate in an Industry Tour which allows the graduates to travel to any location throughout Australia for 3 days and engage with industry stakeholders.

I truly enjoyed my time in the graduate program and think very highly of this Department and am very grateful for the opportunities that the graduate program has opened up for me.

Laura McErvale—2010 Graduate

After graduating with a double degree in Commerce and Arts from the University of Melbourne, I really wanted to find employment that allowed me to use both my skills in human resource management and counter terrorism studies. I was attracted to the Department as I was able to undertake three very different rotations, giving me the opportunity to understand where I best fit in, and could best contribute to, the Department.
After working in both HR and International Relations, I was fortunate enough to undergo a rotation at the Minister’s Office, giving me an over-arching strategic view of the operations and end results of the Department’s work. My favourite rotation was working within the International Relations Section in the Office of Transport Security, whereby I worked with officers posted in Washington, Papua New Guinea, Manila and Jakarta on matters of transport security affecting Australians overseas.

Selected as Social Club President of the Department in my Graduate year, I have enjoyed meeting new people from across the public service, and organising key events such as the Departmental Christmas Party and our fortnightly Happy Hours. I have had immense support throughout the Graduate Program from my mentor, buddy, supervisors, colleagues and most of all, my close friends from within the Graduate Program. Moving to Canberra to work within the Public Service has broadened my horizons, provided me with significant opportunities for career progression and introduced me to a fantastic bunch of life-long friends!

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How to Apply

Applying is easy! Applications will open for the 2013 program on Monday 5 March 2012 and close on Friday 13 April 2012 at 11:30pm.

All applications must be received through the Departments e-Recruitment System.

Contact the Recruitment Team

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