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

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 Health

Recruitment dates
Applications open Monday 30 July 2018 for the General Corporate, ICT and Data Analysis Streams

Office location of positions
Perth CBD and Rural/Regional WA

Places available

  • 9 General Corporate
  • 2 ICT
  • 2 Data Analysis

Program duration
The program runs for 12 months commencing in January every year with the 2019 program commencing on 21 January 2019.

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

Selection criteria
The WA Department of Health provides safe, high-quality health care to nearly 2.4 million Western Australians across almost 2.5 million square kilometres. We employ over 40,000 dedicated staff in metropolitan, regional and remote areas of the State to attend to the health needs of our growing population.

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

You will need to have graduated in 2017 or be eligible for graduation by the end of 2018.

Program structure

Over the course of 12 months, you will participate in three rotational placements across the health system giving a unique insight into corporate, policy and operational areas including health system reform, strategic planning, research, analysis and evaluation, project management, program development, public health/health promotion, and workforce and business planning.

Depending on the Graduate Stream that you are employed within, these placements can be tailored to your interests and strengths. Choose your own adventure!

For more information about the types of projects you might undertake, have a read of our Graduate Focus 2017 edition (PDF 14.3MB).

Link to Grad info
http://ww2.health.wa.gov.au/GraduateDevelopment
https://gradaustralia.com.au/graduate-employers/wa-department-of-health

Agency website
http://ww2.health.wa.gov.au/Home
http://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/
https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Healthy-WA/482333175154333

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