Education System in Australia is very robust. It provides ample opportunities and funding options to complete education in the first place. It, then, gives an option to step into professional development program in order to gain experience in relevant fields. The National Graduate Program in Australia is an exciting opportunity for recent graduates to help transform the way government services are delivered to the Australian people.
Through its ten streams, the program aims to deliver a simple, helpful, respectful, and transparent experience for its customers. In this article, we will explore the different streams offered by the program, the development opportunities available to graduates, and the salary and employment standards for successful applicants.
Work Streams Categories
The National Graduate Program offers 10 different streams for graduates to choose from. These streams are Communication, Data, Digital, Finance and Accounting, Generalist, Human Resources, Legal, Service Delivery, Service Design, and Social Work. Each stream offers unique opportunities for graduates to develop their skills and gain valuable experience in their chosen field.
Said fields are divided into two main categories:
The Generalist Stream
is ideal for graduates who don’t have a specialist area in mind or have a degree that doesn’t match one of the other streams. In this stream, graduates will have two rotations, giving them the chance to work on diverse projects and learn how different areas of the program operate. Graduates will be placed in a role that matches their skills and experience, and they will work with the program’s business areas to develop their skills and knowledge.
The Australian Public Service offers the National Graduate Program for graduates who wish to pursue a career in the public sector. The program has various streams that cater to different degrees and areas of expertise. The generalist stream is for graduates who do not have a specific professional area they want to work in.
Type of degree:
The generalist stream is open to graduates with degrees in any area. This means that regardless of your degree, you can apply for the program.
Range of work:
In the generalist stream, graduates will have the opportunity to work on diverse projects and learn how different areas operate. You will have two placements, where you will be placed in a role that matches your skills and experience. Some of the tasks that you may perform in the generalist stream include implementing legislative change or new government initiatives and policy, analyzing management information to identify trends and prepare reports, supporting major improvement initiatives for customers, providing support to Australians affected by national disasters, supporting major ICT, compliance, communication and service delivery projects, drafting and coordinating Question Time, Senate Estimates and Ministerial briefs, speeches and presentations, and supporting the Minister, Chief Executive Officer and Senior Executives.
Advantages of the Generalist Stream:
The generalist stream provides a broader range of work experience, allowing graduates to learn about different areas of the Australian Public Service. The program also offers training and development opportunities to enhance your skills and experience. As a generalist, you will have the opportunity to work on projects that have a significant impact on the Australian community.
The Specialist Stream
It is for those who hold a more specialized degree, the program offers 9 other streams, each with its own unique focus.
Available Fields to Choose From
- The Communication stream is ideal for graduates with a degree in journalism, public relations, or communication. In this stream, graduates will work on developing and implementing communication strategies to promote the program’s services and initiatives.
- The Data stream is perfect for graduates with a degree in data science, statistics, or mathematics. In this stream, graduates will work on collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to inform the program’s decision-making processes.
- The Digital stream is designed for graduates with a degree in IT, computer science, or digital design. In this stream, graduates will work on developing and implementing digital solutions to improve the program’s services and user experience.
- The Finance and Accounting stream is ideal for graduates with a degree in finance or accounting. In this stream, graduates will work on managing the program’s financial resources and ensuring compliance with financial regulations.
- The Human Resources stream is perfect for graduates with a degree in human resources or industrial relations. In this stream, graduates will work on managing the program’s human resources, including recruitment, training, and employee relations.
- The Legal stream is designed for graduates with a degree in law. In this stream, graduates will work on providing legal advice and support to the program, ensuring compliance with legal requirements and regulations.
- The Service Delivery stream is ideal for graduates with any eligible degree. In this stream, graduates will work on delivering services to the program’s customers, ensuring that they receive a simple, helpful, respectful, and transparent experience.
- The Service Design stream is perfect for graduates with a degree in design, user experience, or human-centered design. In this stream, graduates will work on designing and implementing user-centered services and solutions.
- The Social Work stream is designed for graduates with a degree in social work. In this stream, graduates will work on providing support and assistance to the program’s customers, including vulnerable and remote communities.
Development Opportunities
One of the key aspects of the National Graduate Program is the range of training and development opportunities that are provided to graduates. Throughout the 10-month program, graduates will participate in a variety of activities, including events hosted by the Australian Public Service Commission, graduate and internal events, and presentations to senior executives.
Additionally, graduates will have the opportunity to gain first-hand experience in service delivery environments, allowing them to see how Australians access government services and how their work can make a positive difference in people’s lives. Training specific to their work area will also be provided to help graduates develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in their roles.
During their time in the program, graduates will have the opportunity to broaden their understanding of the Australian Public Service and strengthen their networking skills. The development opportunities provided by the program can help graduates enhance their career opportunities and develop their careers within the APS.
Service Delivery Experience
As part of the National Graduate Program, graduates will gain experience in service delivery environments to gain insight into how Australians access government services. This experience is unique to the program and allows graduates to see first-hand how their work can make a positive difference in people’s lives.
Community Out-Reach Experience (CORE)
The Community Out-Reach Experience (CORE) is a unique opportunity for graduates to take part in a life-changing experience. CORE is designed to provide graduates with the opportunity to provide assistance and support to some of the most vulnerable and remote communities in Australia.
During the CORE placement, graduates will gain a greater understanding of the issues faced by customers in these communities and learn about the complexities of service delivery in these areas. Graduates will work alongside community engagement officers, multicultural service officers, Indigenous service officers, financial service officers, aged care service officers, and more.
If successful, graduates will spend up to 3 months in a location such as Alice Springs, Broome, Cairns, Darwin, or Sydney. The experience gained during the CORE placement can help graduates develop a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by some of the most vulnerable members of Australian society and can help inform their work in the future.
Support and Mentorship
The National Graduate Program provides a range of support and mentorship to ensure that graduates have the resources they need to succeed. A graduate coordinator will work with graduates to ensure that they have what they need to complete the program and meet employment standards, such as probation and regular performance reviews.
Graduates will also be matched with a buddy, who will be a graduate from a previous year. The buddy will help graduates settle into the agency and the APS and provide support and guidance throughout the program.
Finally, graduates will be teamed up with a Senior Executive Service (SES) mentor, who will support and guide graduates with their career and personal objectives. The mentorship provided by the program can help graduates develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in their careers within the APS.
Remuneration
The National Graduate Program offers competitive salaries to graduates. The salary that graduates are eligible for depends on their qualification level. If they have completed an undergraduate degree,
- For Undergraduate Degree Holders: Salary will be $63,760
- For a Double Degree or a Higher Qualification Holder: Salary will be $71,063.
After completing the program, graduates will advance to the base salary of an APS5 classification within their relevant job stream.
How to Apply for NGP
Explanation of the 6 steps to apply for the National Graduate Program in Australia is as follows:
Step 1: Online application – To start the application process, you need to fill out an online application through the Services Australia website. You will be required to confirm your eligibility, provide your work experience history, provide qualification details, and provide referee details.
Step 2: Online interview – After submitting your application, you will receive an email with a link to an online tool called PredictiveHire. The online tool will conduct a text conversation with you, asking questions tailored to the graduate role. You can complete this untimed task with any device that has internet access, and it takes around 25 minutes to complete. If you do not progress to step 3, feedback won’t be provided at this stage.
Step 3: eTray exercise – If you pass the online interview stage, you will take part in an online eTray exercise, which is a computer simulation of a real work situation. This is a timed assessment that asks you to answer several questions based on a range of provided documentation. The exercise provides insights into how you will respond to real workplace situations, issues and problems, and it also assesses how you may balance dealing with data and people-related concerns when making decisions.
Step 4: Assessment centre and referee check – If you successfully complete the eTray exercise, you will be invited to participate in an assessment centre where you will be required to complete a behavioural interview, a group activity, and a written task. The assessment centre is usually held in capital cities, and you may need to take some time off work or away from your studies. You can attend either a morning or an afternoon session. At this stage, we will also complete your referee check, which involves asking your referee to comment on your skills, abilities, and past work performance. Feedback will be available to all candidates at the end of the assessment process. If you do not participate in the assessment centre, your application will be withdrawn.
Step 5: Merit pool and matching you to a role – All candidates found suitable for a role in the National Graduate Program are placed into a merit pool. The merit pool is valid for 18 months, and candidates can be matched to available roles within this time frame. For more information about merit pools, you can read about the APS merit principle on the Australian Public Service Commission website.
Step 6: Verbal employment offer and pre-engagement checks – If you are matched to a role, you will receive a verbal employment offer. The offer will be conditional, and it will depend on you successfully completing an eligibility, suitability, and medical declaration. The eligibility and suitability check will search your details against a national database for any prior infringements, criminal charges or convictions. If you have criminal charges or infringements, we manage it on a case-by-case basis. The medical check is a general health check to determine if you can perform the requirements of the role. If you require a medical check following your medical declaration, we will organize it for you, and your personal medical provider cannot complete this check for you.
Key TakeAways
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The National Graduate Program in Australia offers 10 different streams for graduates to choose from, including Communication, Data, Digital, Finance and Accounting, Generalist, Human Resources, Legal, Service Delivery, Service Design, and Social Work.
- The Generalist Stream is for graduates who don’t have a specialist area in mind or have a degree that doesn’t match one of the other streams. In this stream, graduates will have two rotations, giving them the chance to work on diverse projects and learn how different areas of the program operate.
- The Specialist Stream is for graduates who hold a more specialized degree. It offers 9 other streams, each with its own unique focus.
- Throughout the 10-month program, graduates will participate in a variety of training and development opportunities, including events hosted by the Australian Public Service Commission, graduate and internal events, and presentations to senior executives.
- Graduates will have the opportunity to gain first-hand experience in service delivery environments, allowing them to see how Australians access government services and how their work can make a positive difference in people’s lives.
- The development opportunities provided by the program can help graduates enhance their career opportunities and develop their careers within the APS.
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Successful applicants will receive a competitive salary and employment benefits package, including access to flexible working arrangements, training and development opportunities, and a supportive work environment.