University students and graduates

Internship program for university students

The ‘Public sector internship program' provides university students with practical work-based training opportunities, through the completion of a project within a public sector organisation.

Public sector agencies are invited to submit a project proposal, suitable for an undergraduate or postgraduate student. University students enrolled in a participating unit of study are then invited to apply to undertake one of the available internship opportunities. Agencies that are successful in securing an intern will provide the intern with a workplace supervisor, and the workplace resources required to complete the internship project.

Work undertaken by interns is on an unpaid basis, typically one day per week, and may include working on a research project, policy or guidelines review, critical analysis of issues, and/or drafting strategy options.

At the successful completion of the internship project, interns will have acquired invaluable work-based experience and earned credit towards their degree, while agencies will have had an opportunity to access a free resource that is skilled, qualified and enthusiastic.

University students who are interested can now view and apply for current internship opportunities on the Internships jobs search page.

For more information on the internship program, please email internprogram@psc.wa.gov.au.

Graduate programs

The public sector is a great place to explore your career aspirations and apply your newly acquired skills and knowledge. Many agencies run graduate programs, which offer structured training and development. The timing and structure of graduate opportunities differs between agencies and can be advertised at any time during the year — see below for details on current agency graduate programs.

For general information about graduate employment in the public sector (not related to a specific agency's program), please email thecentre@psc.wa.gov.au. Please note that resumes or applications must not be sent to this email address.

Agency graduate programs

Public Transport Authority

Recruitment dates
Applications for the 2017 graduate program have now closed and recruitment is underway. Applications for the 2018 graduate intake will open in March 2017, to commence 26 February 2018.

Office location of positions
Public Transport Centre, Perth

Places available
To be confirmed

Program duration
Three years

Appointment type
Fixed term contract, Level 2/4

Selection criteria
The agency recruits from the fields of civil engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, urban planning, environmental science and accounting.

Program structure

  • Regular rotations
  • dedicated graduate coordinator
  • access to Engineers Australia PDP and CPA
  • structured soft skills training program
  • mentorship by leaders
  • regular performance feedback

Link to grad info
www.pta.wa.gov.au/careers/graduate-student-and-trainee-programs

Agency website
www.pta.wa.gov.au

Department of Mines and Petroleum

In partnership with the Department of Regional Development and the Department of State Development.

Anticipated recruitment dates
August

Office location of positions
East Perth and Perth CBD

Places available
6 - 10 graduates

Program duration
18 months

Appointment type
Graduates are engaged by one of the three departments on a fixed term contract. The program runs for 18 months with a provision for permanent appointment to the department following successful completion of the first 12 months of the program.

Selection criteria
The graduate program is an Equity and Diversity employment initiative and therefore we are actively looking for university graduates from any of the following diversity groups to be a part of our January 2017 intake:

  • people under 25 years of age
  • people with disability
  • Aboriginal Australians and/or Torres Strait Islanders

To be eligible for the program you must:

  • be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
  • be completing your first degree qualification in the current year or have completed it in the preceding calendar year.

Program structure:

  • A structured 18 month program
  • A dedicated senior sponsor and mentor and the opportunity to network with skilled and diverse professionals
  • Three month rotations tailored to build your professional expertise
  • Rotation opportunities in your home and other government departments
  • Targeted and comprehensive training (both formal and on-the-job)
  • A permanent position based on successful completion of the program.

Graduate program URL:

You can also contact Alyce De Biasi, Graduate Program Coordinator, on (08) 9222 3866 or graduates@dmp.wa.gov.au

Agency website:

 

Housing Authority

Anticipated recruitment dates
July/August

Office location of graduate positions
Metropolitan (East Perth)

Places available
4 x Graduate Officers
2 x Aboriginal Graduate Project Officers

Program duration
Two years, commencing February 2017

Appointment type
Fixed term. In their second year, graduates are supported and encouraged to obtain permanent employment within the department.

Selection criteria
The department hires graduates from all disciplines including commerce, psychology, arts, sociology, sustainability, business, anthropology, law, project management, urban and regional planning and architecture - to name a few!

Program structure

  • First year four rotations of three months in different areas of the Housing Authority
  • Second year, graduates use the networks and experience obtained during their first year to obtain rotations in areas of their choice
  • Two year learning and development program.

Link to Graduate info
www.housing.wa.gov.au/careers/graduateprogram

Agency website
www.housing.wa.gov.au

Department of Health

Recruitment dates
Applications for the Finance and Business Analyst stream open on 13 March 2017 and close in early April. Shortlisting, group assessment and interviews occur in April and May.
Applications for the General Corporate, Workforce Data Analysis and Health Information Network (ICT) streams open late July 2017 and close mid-August. Shortlisting, group assessment and interviews occur in September and October.
All Graduates commence in late January 2018.

Office location of positions
Metropolitan based program with the possibility of a four month placement in a regional area, subject to project availability.

Places available
15 - 18 Graduate places

Program duration
12 months full time

Appointment type
Fixed term 12 month contract. Following the program, Graduates are supported in obtaining fixed term/permanent contracts, subject to availability.

Selection criteria
We are looking for innovative thinkers and self-motivated high acheivers. Our graduates are clear communicators, able to work in a team, show aptitude, dedication and a commitment to learn and develop their skills. They are prepared to step up and be WA Health's leaders of the future.

To apply for the WA Health Graduate Development Program you need to:

  1. have completed your degree in 2016 or plan to complete it in 2017
  2. have a degree issued from a recognised university
  3. visit www.jobs.wa.gov.au, select "Health, Department of" in the Agency field and keyword search for "Graduate Officer." Download the application package, complete and submit as an attachment with your academic record.

Program structure
The program offers structured professional development, including mentorship and coaching.

There are four program streams to choose from:

  • General Corporate: This stream offers three x four month placements in areas such as health system reform, strategic planning, policy development, project management, program development, public health and health promotion.
  • Finance and Business: This stream offers three x four month placements in finance and business areas, as well as the additional opportunity to complete a number of funded units towards a professional accounting qualification (e.g. CPA).
  • Health Information Network (Information Technology): Graduates in this stream rotate through three x four month placements providing research, support and advice for information technology projects across the Department.
  • Workforce Data Analysis: Graduates in this stream will work with the WA Health Workforce Directorate, supporting workforce planning through the extraction, manipulation and analysis of workforce data.

Link to grad info
www.graduate.health.wa.gov.au/home/

Agency website
www.health.wa.gov.au/home

Department of Education

Recruitment dates
Applications are now open for the School Corporate Services Graduate Appointment Pool 2018. Applications close at 4:30pm on Monday 24 July 2017.

Office location of positions
Perth metropolitan and regional areas. In your application you will need to nominate the regions and towns for which you would like to be considered for placement.

Program duration
The Graduate program operates during the 11 months of the school year, from mid January 2018 to mid December 2018.

Appointment type
The Gradute Support Officer role assists the school's Business Manager/Corporate Services Manager/Registrar to undertake a broad range of business activities across a number of corporate service areas including HR, finance, ITC and buildings and asset manager.

Selection criteria
To be eligible for the program, you must have:

  • completed an undergraduate or post graduate degree within the last five years (or due to complete by December 2017) in academic areas including business, commerce, accounting, finance, human resource management, project management, procurement (and similar), public relations, communications, public policy, industrial relations, employment law, or other equivalent disciplines or combined degrees
  • a good level of academic achievement, with a course average of 65% or above
  • Australian citizenship or permanent resident status
  • a current Department of Education Criminal Clearance (if offered a position)
  • a current Working with Children Check (if offered a position).

Program structure
Depending on business requirements, you may be placed at one school for the full 11 months, or two different schools for five and half month placements each.

As part of the graduate program, you will be provided professional learning opportunities including:

  • mentoring
  • the Public Sector Commission's Graduate Development Program
  • work shadowing (one day per school term with a central office expert in various business areas)
  • other training as required under the Department's policies.

Link to Grad info
Advertisement on the Jobs Board
Department of Education website

Agency website
https://www.education.wa.edu.au/

Department of Finance

Recruitment dates
Applications open Monday 12 June 2017 and close at 4:00pm Thursday 13 July 2017.

Office location of positions
Perth CBD and Osbourne Park

Places available
Five or more graduate positions

Program duration
The program runs for 12 months, commencing February 2018 to January 2019.

Appointment type
12 month fixed term contract with the possibility of extension or permanency subject to work performance and the availability of funding and positions.

Selection criteria
The Department of Finance employs more than 1000 people from multi-disciplinary backgrounds to deliver a broad portfolio of responsibilities. Degree majors in accounting, architecture, arts, commerce, communications, economics, engineering, law, mathematics, project management and science are preferred, however, other degrees may be considered.

You will need to have graduated in 2016 or be eligible for graduation by the end of 2017.

You need to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident at the time you lodge your application.

Program structure

  • Rotate three times during the 12 month program.
  • Build technical skills across diverse business units.
  • Work on solving real business problems and projects.
  • Build your professional network with talented leaders.
  • Uncover your capability through challenging work and feedback from your supervisor.

Link to grad info
www.finance.wa.gov.au/graduates

Agency website
www.finance.wa.gov.au

Department of Regional Development

In partnership with the Department of Mines and Petroleum and the Department of State Development.

Anticipated recruitment dates
August

Office location of positions
East Perth and Perth CBD

Places available
6 - 10 graduates

Program duration
18 months

Appointment type
Graduates are engaged by one of the three departments on a fixed term contract. The program runs for 18 months with a provision for permanent appointment to the department following successful completion of the first 12 months of the program.

Selection criteria
The graduate program is an Equity and Diversity employment initiative and therefore we are actively looking for university graduates from any of the following diversity groups to be a part of our January 2017 intake:

  • people under 25 years of age
  • people with disability
  • Aboriginal Australians and/or Torres Strait Islanders

To be eligible for the program you must be:

  • an Australian citizen or permanent resident
  • completing your first degree qualification in the current year or have completed it in the preceding calendar year.

Program structure

  • A structured 18 month program
  • A dedicated senior sponsor and mentor and the opportunity to network with skilled and diverse professionals
  • Three month rotations tailored to build your professional expertise
  • Rotation opportunities in your home and other government departments
  • Targeted and comprehensive training (both formal and on-the-job)
  • A permanent position based on successful completion of the program.

Graduate program URL

You can also contact Alyce De Biasi, Graduate Program Coordinator, on (08) 9222 3866 or graduates@dmp.wa.gov.au

Agency website

Department of State Development

In partnership with the Department of Mines and Petroleum and the Department of Regional Development.

Anticipated recruitment dates
August

Office location of positions
East Perth and Perth CBD

Places available
6 - 10 graduates

Program duration
18 months

Appointment type
Graduates are engaged by one of the three departments on a fixed term contract. The program runs for 18 months with a provision for permanent appointment to the department following successful completion of the first 12 months of the program.

Selection criteria
The graduate program is an Equity and Diversity employment initiative and therefore we are actively looking for university graduates from any of the following diversity groups to be a part of our January 2017 intake:

  • people under 25 years of age
  • people with disability
  • Aboriginal Australians and/or Torres Strait Islanders

To be eligible for the program you must be:

  • an Australian citizen or permanent resident
  • completing your first degree qualification in the current year or have completed it in the preceding calendar year.

Program structure

  • A structured 18 month program
  • A dedicated senior sponsor and mentor and the opportunity to network with skilled and diverse professionals
  • Three month rotations tailored to build your professional expertise
  • Rotation opportunities in your home and other government departments
  • Targeted and comprehensive training (both formal and on-the-job)
  • A permanent position based on successful completion of the program.

Graduate program URL

You can also contact Alyce De Biasi, Graduate Program Coordinator, on (08) 9222 3866 or graduates@dmp.wa.gov.au.

Agency website