Graduate Developement Program

Graduates work on issues as diverse as international intelligence, people smuggling, electronic visas, refugees and asylum seekers, multicultural affairs, migration and migration communities, overseas student programs or tourism, finance, human resources and information technology/business systems.

How the program works in National Office Canberra

The National Office graduate program is a 10-month development program which aims to provide a well-rounded experience of the department’s work and an introduction to the Australian Public Service.

The graduate program includes rotations in different areas of the department, plus on-the-job learning and blocks of formal training.

Rotations

Each rotation is designed to give graduates exposure to the range and depth of the department’s work and to build the skills which will be required throughout the graduate’s career.

These skills may include developing, implementing and monitoring government programs, interpreting and applying legislation, dealing with clients, contract management, policy development, and project management.

For more information on the responsibilities of the different divisions within the department, see Fact Sheet 3.
See: Fact Sheet 3- The Department of Immigration and Citizenship

Formal training

Training opportunities during the Graduate Development Program include:

• departmental induction and orientation
• informal sessions with the department's senior executives
• networking opportunities with fellow graduates
• formal training sessions such as policy development, people skills, project management and career management.

In addition to the above training, graduates may also attend short courses relevant to their specific learning needs identified during rotations.

After completing the program, graduates are well-placed to compete for advancement to higher level positions across the department.