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Victorian Government

3.8
  • #10 in Government & public service
  • > 100,000 employees

Victorian Government Graduate Programs & Internships

  • Government & Public Service

The Victorian Government

Graduates join us because we offer meaningful work that makes a difference to Victorians and for the incredible career opportunities. No other Victorian employer has such diversity of roles. 

Work where you can live our shared values of responsiveness, integrity, impartiality, accountability, respect, leadership, and human rights. 

We want the Victorian Government to be reflective of the community we serve. We offer employment streams tailored to what you studied at university and graduate pathways for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants and applicants with disability.

The graduate program

Complete 3 rotations in different departments over 12 months. You'll contribute to important work and make connections across government. Along the way, you'll develop your talents and discover new interests.

There are 10 departments and Victoria Police you can choose to work in for most streams. And each department has agencies attached to them that you may end up working in. 

In the later stages of the application process, you’ll tell us the top 2 departments you’d like to work in. If you don’t mind where you work, you can tell us that instead. 

Your choice of department will help decide where you may start and have an ongoing role at the program’s end.

Generalist stream

The generalist stream is open to graduates from all academic disciplines. Some positions offered in this stream include graduate policy officer, graduate communications officer, graduate project officer, graduate community engagement officer, graduate organisational development officer, corporate governance graduate.

Accounting and finance stream 

You can apply to this stream if you have majors in accounting, banking, business management, commerce and/or finance. You’ll draw on your accounting and finance skills in every placement in this stream and get support towards Chartered Accountant or Chartered Practicing Accountant accreditation. 

Data analytics stream 

You can apply to this stream if you have majors in biostatistics, computer science, data analytics, data science, econometrics, engineering, information technology, mathematics, modelling, science and/or statistics. You’ll also have an advantage if you have coding experience in languages like Python, R, MATLAB, SAS, SQL and so on. You’ll work with a diverse range of datasets and analytics tools to improve the lives of Victorians.  

Economic consultancy stream  

You can apply to this stream if you have majors in economics or econometrics. To solve real-world economic problems, you may apply experimental economics, behavioural economics, and market design principles. You’ll contribute to a prosperous Victoria and play a role in managing our economy. 
 

Skills we look for in applicants

  • Verbal and written communication
  • Problem-solving and analytical mindset
  • Adaptability and resilience
  • Teamwork and stakeholder engagement

Eligibility criteria

  • Completed your undergraduate or postgraduate degree or the same as level 7 and above of the Australian Qualifications Framework between 1 January 2022 and 1 January 2025.
  • Australian or New Zealand citizen or Australian permanent resident or have unrestricted working rights in Australia at time of application.
  • Not be on a temporary graduate visa.
  • Not have taken a voluntary redundancy from the Victorian public sector in the 3 years up to the program start date of 3 February 2025.

Work location

All our roles are based in Victoria. You will negotiate your flexible and hybrid work arrangements with your employer in each rotation. The Victorian Government’s flexible work policy aims to strike a balance between your needs and the requirements of the role and team. 

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander pathway

You can opt to use this pathway if you identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person. 

This support is flexible and tailored to you. 

It includes things like: 

  • support with your application
  • support from your own pathway manager
  • one-on-ones during the application process
  • regular contact and catch ups with the Aboriginal Employment Unit at the Victorian Public Sector Commission.

If you would like to talk to someone about the Aboriginal pathway please contact the Aboriginal Employment Unit at [email protected] or call the graduate employment team on 03 9922 8600. 

Some graduate roles available may give you priority consideration as per the Special Measures provision of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010

Barring Djinang 

This pathway is an initiative of Victoria’s public sector Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Strategy, Barring Djinang

The team in charge of Barring Djinang works with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander public sector employees.

If you get into the program, check out what else in the Barring Djinang strategy could help you as a public servant.

Your privacy

The Victorian Government graduate program will: 

  • never share your information with anyone without your consent
  • leave it up to you, if you want to tell your employer or peers about yourself.

Read our privacy policy to see what we collect and why.

Disability pathway

We want applicants with disability to have an equitable experience. So we’ve taken action to make our process fair for people with disability. 

You will not need to share any information about your disability to apply through this pathway or throughout the program. 

If you opt into this pathway, we’ll work with you to give you flexible and tailored support in the application process.

For example, previous applicants have had these adjustments:

  • a phone interview instead of a video interview
  • audio description and live captioning
  • materials in larger font
  • more time to answer questions in the interview
  • more time to do the online test.

These are just examples and we’ll work with you based on your needs.

If you get into the program, we’ll check in with you and your manager regularly to see what support you need to succeed.

We’ll listen to your needs and act on what you say.

Other ways we’ll support you are:

  • access to workplace adjustments and flexible work
  • ways to connect with peers with disability.

Getting to work

This pathway is an initiative of Victoria’s public sector disability employment action plan, Getting to Work.  

If you get into the program, check out the range of initiatives that could support you in your career with the public service.

Some graduate roles available may give you priority consideration as per the Special Measures provision of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010.

Speak to us about the disability pathway

If you’re unsure whether to opt in, get in touch with us for a confidential chat at [email protected] or on 03 9922 8600.

Your privacy

The Victorian Government graduate program will: 

  • never share your information with anyone without your consent
  • leave it up to you if you want to tell your employer or peers about yourself.

Read our privacy policy to see what we collect and why.

Recruitment Process

Application stages

  1. Online application form
  2. Online assessment
  3. Record a video
  4. Candidate information session
  5. Assessment centre
  6. Do an online interview
  7. Wait for an outcome

How to apply

Applications for the 2024 Victorian Government graduate program are open from 4 March and close 11:59 PM on Sunday 7 April 2024. 

We are accepting expressions of interest for our generalist, accounting and finance, data analytics and economic consultancy streams. Visit our website for more details: https://www.vic.gov.au/victorian-government-graduate-program  

Application process

To apply to our graduate program, you’ll need to complete our online application form, where you’ll tell us:  

  • who you are
  • what you’ve studied
  • which stream you want to do
  • if you’d like to opt into a pathway as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicant or applicant with disability.

To complete the application form, you'll need your: 

  • proof of Australian citizenship or permanent residency
  • undergraduate academic results and if applicable, postgraduate results or progress on your results if you don’t know what they are yet (we accept my eQuals)
  • resume.

As part of the online form, you'll have the chance to opt into the: 

  • pathway for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants
  • pathway for applicants with disability.

If you opt in, we’ll be in touch to talk about any adjustments you already use or know you’ll need.

Once your application has been submitted, you will be required to complete online testing, record a video, attend a candidate information session, participate in group activities and attend an interview.

For more information about how the application process works, visit https://www.vic.gov.au/victorian-government-graduate-program 

Remuneration & Career Growth

Program benefits

You'll work in 3 roles across different departments and get:

  • a starting salary of $62,604 plus super
  • a promotion and pay rise to more than $74,500 plus super at the program’s end
  • personal and professional training
  • mentoring from executives
  • training in general and specialised areas
  • flexible working conditions, such as working from home
  • a chance to build networks with like-minded graduates across government
  • access to future career opportunities that are only available to people who work in the Victorian Public Service.

Graduate Reviews

Overall Score
3.8
Overall score based on 23 reviews
They Score Best in…
8.0
Corporate Social Responsibility
7.9
Culture
8.3
Diversity
8.8
Work Hours
8.0
Corporate Social Responsibility
7.9
Culture
8.3
Diversity
8.8
Work Hours
What Graduates Say About Them
  • I've enjoyed working on meaningful programs and projects that I can see have a positive impact on the community. Even as a grad, I feel I've been able to make a valuable contribution.
  • Carefully considered graduate workplan that connects you with a like-minded graduate cohort. Offers three departmental rotations so that you get an engaging insight into public service work as a graduate.
  • I think the ability to work on projects and policies that are topical and improve Victoria is the best aspect of the job. There are a lot of really interesting roles and responsibilities. I like working on things that make a difference to people and place. It feels good to work for people and not profit. So far, I have worked on emission reduction projects, major infrastructure projects and grant programs. I am excited by all the important things I will work on in the future.
  • The prioritisation of staff well-being, flexible working arrangements, and the ability to remain mobile at the beginning of my career, gaining insight and experience into a number of areas.
  • Meaningful work and shared values between employees. In general, public servants are quite nice people. Meeting lots of people in the program. Great work life balance :)
  • Some managers are not sure how to best utilise grads or how to ensure we feel welcome in our short 4 month rotations. These managers are in the minority, however.
  • The uncertainty and underappreciation. Mobility and MOG changes are part and parcel of working in the VPS however they can be quite unnerving. The announcement of job cuts just weeks into the program was very unsettling. These efficiency savings have made me worry about losing my position and future career decisions. I also wasn't aware of just how unstable the job and teams were when I applied. Every team I have been in during the program has had people acting and leaving. I have also seen a change in premier and portfolio reshuffles. Secondly, I think there is a perception that public servants don't do anything and are bludgers. The Victorian Government Graduate program is very hard to get into and everyone is really passionate and hard working. Similarly, I have worked in teams with really inspiring and smart people. I think it is a shame that public perception isn't better. Further, I think the ceiling in terms of pay is quite low unless you're an executive. While the public service should be for people and not profit, in this fiscal environment we should be paid accordingly. I have been stressed as a graduate about paying my rent and affording to live in Melbourne.
  • Being a graduate there is not always a constant workload where motivation levels fluctuate over time.
  • Pay is ok. VPS 2.1.6 Given recent inflation, I think it is no longer competitive. 2 years ago it would have been appropriate, but it feels like taking a pay cut to be a part of the program. I understand that other graduate programs are not necessarily that much higher, but I think across the board there needs to be an increase. I'm in the Data Stream for the graduate program. I have a master’s in data science, but the work I've been given has mostly been data analyst related. I don't feel challenged in these roles, but I think that may be due to being overqualified.
  • The pace can be quite stressful and there are limited opportunities to celebrate the success of completing a particular piece of work before having to do the next one.

Jobs & Opportunities

Locations With Jobs & Opportunities
  • Metro Melbourne / hybrid
Hiring candidates with qualifications in
B
Business & Management
C
Creative Arts
E
Engineering & Mathematics
H
Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences
I
IT & Computer Science
L
Law, Legal Studies & Justice
M
Medical & Health Sciences
P
Property & Built Environment
S
Sciences
T
Teaching & Education

Graduate Success Stories


  • Graduate stories
My grandmother worked for the Department of Justice and I noticed how respected she was by the community. I’m glad I am here continuing that legacy.

Zack, generalist stream, Aboriginal pathway

  • Graduate stories
My grandmother worked for the Department of Justice and I noticed how respected she was by the community. I’m glad I am here continuing that legacy.

Zack, generalist stream, Aboriginal pathway

  • Graduate stories
I’ve had a really great experience in the program and have been well supported on the disability front from the very beginning of the application process all the way through.

Percy, generalist stream, disability pathway

  • Graduate stories
I’ve had a really great experience in the program and have been well supported on the disability front from the very beginning of the application process all the way through.

Percy, generalist stream, disability pathway

  • Graduate stories
My grandmother worked for the Department of Justice and I noticed how respected she was by the community. I’m glad I am here continuing that legacy.

Zack, generalist stream, Aboriginal pathway

  • Graduate stories
My grandmother worked for the Department of Justice and I noticed how respected she was by the community. I’m glad I am here continuing that legacy.

Zack, generalist stream, Aboriginal pathway

  • Graduate stories
I’ve had a really great experience in the program and have been well supported on the disability front from the very beginning of the application process all the way through.

Percy, generalist stream, disability pathway

  • Graduate stories
I’ve had a really great experience in the program and have been well supported on the disability front from the very beginning of the application process all the way through.

Percy, generalist stream, disability pathway


Videos


Lauren's story | Vic Gov graduate program

Lauren is an Indigenous woman of Southern Kaanju, Wuthathi and Torres Strait Islander descent. Beyond the graduate program, Lauren plans to expand her skills and experience in government communications.

Amber's story | Vic Gov graduate program

For Amber, ‘working with purpose’ means using any opportunity she is provided with to not only care for country, but to also uplift and support other mob working within government.

Lauren's story | Vic Gov graduate program

Lauren is an Indigenous woman of Southern Kaanju, Wuthathi and Torres Strait Islander descent. Beyond the graduate program, Lauren plans to expand her skills and experience in government communications.

Amber's story | Vic Gov graduate program

For Amber, ‘working with purpose’ means using any opportunity she is provided with to not only care for country, but to also uplift and support other mob working within government.