My experience of being a graduate in the Australian Government

Graduate Applications

In early 2020, leading up to my final year of undergraduate studies in Science at Monash University in Melbourne, I was exploring my options for post-university studies. Having been a university student for almost six years at this point, I was so ready and keen to move into the workforce. At this point, I was working part-time at the Victorian Public Sector Commission and having also completed a couple of internships previously at the Victorian Government; I had developed a strong interest in the work of the government and its tangible impact on everyday Australians. Having also heard great things about the Australian Public Service (APS) graduate programs, applying for APS graduate programs was a natural choice for me.

Many of the APS Graduate Programs recruit between March and October for the commencement of the following calendar year in January/February. Hence it is a competitive and relatively long process, which I had to be organised and prepared for while completing full-time studies and part-time work. I knew I didn’t just want to submit multiple applications to several departments without tailoring each application to the department I was applying for. So, I thoroughly researched the departments/programs I was applying for, and I applied for just a few graduate programs that fit my skills and interests, ensuring that each application was tailored and focused on that specific program/department to increase my chances of success. Preparing and practising for all the online tests, interviews and assessment centres were important to perform well, and this application process was undoubtedly a learning curve. Finally, I was thrilled to be accepted into the 2021 APS Generalist Graduate Program by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA).

Moving to Canberra

The range of career opportunities and the opportunities to meet so many new people made it an easy choice to move to Canberra, which required some research and planning. Luckily, DVA gave a lot of support. The relocation assistance they provided financially (similar to other APS departments) was quite generous; moving all my belongings, including my car, within a few days and having temporary accommodation in Canberra for a few weeks meant my move from Melbourne to Canberra was relatively smooth. I soon found a permanent place to live (within walking distance of the DVA office), and I was ready and excited to commence my APS graduate year.

APS Graduate Year

The Graduate Program at DVA commenced in late January 2021, and I had three work rotations throughout the year: Strategic Policy, Project Management and ICT. They were three distinctly different graduate rotations that gave me a breadth of experience in various roles while exposing me to various department work areas. From policy writing to creating project management documentation to ICT asset management, I developed many skills and learned a lot about my abilities and interests. I was also seconded to Services Australia for a short period to provide frontline support to the people affected by the NSW Floods, which was quite a rewarding experience. The graduate program provided me with training and development opportunities throughout the year, including a graduate group project that allowed us to make a tangible difference within the department and built my professional network within and outside the department. Overall, I have learnt much from this graduate program and developed critical skills to be a successful public servant, which I am grateful for.

Outside of graduate program rotations, I also got involved in the Graduate Data Network (GDN), which aims to empower graduates to advocate for better data use, analysis, and capability across the APS. There’s never been a better time to work in data in the APS, and I had a fantastic experience being part of the network while holding various leadership roles, meeting amazing people and, most importantly, making a difference through working on impactful data-related projects within the APS. In my free time, being part of the Social Network of Graduates (SNOG) committee was a fun way for me to expand my network while organising social events for fellow graduates, which increased their sense of belonging in the graduate community in Canberra. Being involved in this extracurricular work further enriched my skills and overall graduate experience and the APS Graduate year.

Delivering the 2022 Graduate Data Network forum was certainly a highlight of my graduate experience!

Parliament of Australia Graduate Program

Around September/October 2021, I found out about the Parliament of Australia Graduate Program, and I was intrigued by it. This program includes three to six months of secondment opportunities at one of the parliamentary departments. I researched the program, went to the information session online and spoke to previous-year graduates. I soon realised that this program is a fantastic opportunity to expand my knowledge of the Australian Parliament and further develop my skills. Having always been interested in parliamentary procedure and practice, I couldn’t let go of this opportunity. With the support of DVA colleagues, I applied for this program and was extremely excited to be selected for the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO).

Given this program's competitive nature, differentiating yourself from the rest of the graduate applicants by highlighting work experiences, noteworthy activities/projects you have done (i.e., APS Graduate Project, GDN, SNOG), your unique interest in this program and what you’ll be taking out of it, would increase your chances of success. At PBO, I worked in the Corporate Strategy Branch, where I got to contribute to various pieces of work and gain a breadth of experience, including supporting the work of the Portfolio Budget Statements, Audit and Risk Committee and all staff training and workshops. Working at the Parliament House and being exposed to the parliamentary procedure daily was a highlight. Personally, this was a positive experience, and I would recommend the program to anyone interested.

Tips for future Graduates

The following tips are based on what helped me grow and the advice I received from colleagues I’ve met along the way. Observing and learning from their stories and experiences was invaluable.

👍Say yes to opportunities - As a Graduate, there are so many opportunities that you can get involved in; Events/training run by the APS Academy/Australian Public Service Commission, Graduate Data Network, Social Network of Graduates, opportunities for interstate work and more. The graduate year goes fast, so look for those opportunities and get involved.

🤝Learn to love networking - One of the benefits of being a graduate is the opportunity to do different work rotations within your department. Go out of your way to meet as many people as possible in those rotations and cultivate those relationships as best as possible. Saying yes to opportunities as above and reaching out to people for coffee will also go a long way in expanding your network.

✋Be proactive - Sometimes, it might feel natural only to do what you are told to do and wait for instructions/more information. But putting your hand up to help out a colleague, blocking a time on your manager's calendar to review a task, actively seeking feedback and further development opportunities and not being afraid to ask questions would go a long way toward your success.

🔑Adaptability is the key - Changing teams/colleagues every 3-4 months, having not-so-exciting work at times, and not always having the ideal work rotations, nor the choice of work rotations, can be challenging. But instead of resisting them, adapt to those different situations by being open-minded and optimistic, by recognising the privilege of being a graduate and the finite nature of the graduate year. It would help you to stick it out and get through the year.

🌟Everything is a learning opportunity - Ultimately, every good or not-so-great experience/situation is a learning opportunity. You can learn some of the best lessons and what-not-to-do through your not-so-great experiences/situations. Having this perspective with curiosity would help you to learn and handle those situations better next time.

Grateful to have had this graduate experience and for all the lessons I've learnt, the opportunities I’ve had, the colleagues I've met and the friends I've made. Excited to see what lies ahead!