Read our graduate profiles
Who better to give you an idea of what the Graduate Development Program at Comcare is like than hearing it directly from our graduates:
2011 graduates
Emily Hicks
Temporary Placement: Project Harmony
Permanent Placement: Strategic Policy
Qualification Attained: Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws
Emily's graduate experience
I moved to Canberra in mid February 2011 to start the Comcare graduate program. The temporary accommodation provided by Comcare was extremely helpful and gave a bit of breathing space before securing rental accommodation. As we only had six graduates in our group, we quickly got to know each other and formed an instant support network.
As a part of the graduate program, we have been given the opportunity to complete the Diploma of Government run through the Australian Public Service Commission. The training sessions have provided us with a wealth of information which I will draw on throughout my APS career. The Diploma opens the door to further study as it counts towards 1/3 of a masters degree. Our training cohort is made up of a number of government agencies, including the Murray Darling Basin Authority and the National Library. This provided a great chance to meet grads similar to ourselves and widen our Friday night drinks circle!
Being a graduate at an agency such as Comcare, rather than a bigger department, has afforded us some great opportunities. We have been able to visit the regional offices, attend the Comcare conference in Melbourne, and even shadow our CEO for a week.
During my grad year I quickly learnt that Comcare is a diverse agency with a myriad of roles available. I have gone from being in the midst of a major project to harmonise national work health and safety laws in my first rotation, to conducting research on new amendments to the workers compensation legislation in my permanent position. The organisation has a real focus on achieving a work life balance, with flexible working hours and even subsidised yoga classes! This all adds up to working in a progressive workplace which values staff and their abilities. I have gained a wealth of skills and knowledge during my graduate year with Comcare, which has put me in a great place to forge ahead in my APS career.
Holly MacDonald
Temporary Placement: Community Engagement
Permanent Placement: Program Management Office
Qualification Attained: Bachelor of Economics/ Bachelor of Management Sciences
Holly's graduate experience
I applied for the Comcare graduate program from the UK, and had my interview via video and teleconference in mid September. Given the extensive move involved, Comcare was the only organisation whose graduate program interested me enough to apply for. I moved from Bristol, UK, one week into February 2011 and commenced the Graduate Program a week later. Comcare were very flexible and made my move from the UK relatively easy. Our graduate co-ordinator was on hand to answer any questions or issues and continually re-assure me of the warmer weather on this side of the world!
As part of the graduate program, Comcare graduates are involved in the APSC Diploma of Government. This provides a foundation for developing the skill set needed to effectively work within the APS. The program covers key competency areas, and provides visibility of other departments practices and procedures through the group learning environment. The program, being administered to cohorts containing graduates from various agencies, provides a solid basis to build networks across the APS graduate community. This networking has re-affirmed that Comcare has one of the most competitive, effective and rewarding graduate packages of the departments taking part in the APSC Diploma of Government.
I could not have asked for a better place to begin my APS career. Our supervisors and colleagues have been very supportive of our continued learning and development, and no one is ever too busy to offer guidance and advice. The Comcare graduate team have made available every opportunity we have asked for and encouraged us every step of the way.
Marie Guerin
Temporary Placement: Program Coordination
Permanent Placement: Community Engagement
Qualification Attained: Bachelor of Arts (English)
Marie's graduate experience
Comcare’s graduate program has been incredibly enriching for me on both a professional and personal level. My first rotation was in Program Planning for the Work Health and Safety Group, and I helped develop the annual Work Health and Safety Plan for 2011-12. This was an amazing learning experience and I gathered a lot of knowledge about business planning and methodologies – skills that have come in handy more than once!
My permanent rotation is in the Media team and it’s meant that I’m at the forefront of all the hot topics in the media that involve Comcare’s work. I also use my background in literature to write media releases and feature articles for the staff newsletter. It’s a placement that matches my degree perfectly – the graduate coordinators here at Comcare do a great job finding teams that suit both our personalities and our qualifications.
Furthermore, Comcare graduates are enrolled in a Diploma of Government, which means three to four days of external training per month. We train alongside graduates from other small agencies, which is a great chance to make friends and have a laugh (as well as learn new skills, of course…). This also involves a year-long Major Project, where teams are able to work together to achieve a corporate goal for their organisation and practice all the theory taught during the course.
The graduate program is a huge investment and any opportunities for professional development are supported and encouraged. The program even involved a three-day trip to a regional office, where we had the chance to accompany investigators on site visits. Comcare does some really worthwhile work for the Australian public and as a graduate you won’t be stuck doing photocopying, but handed the reins and trusted with the ‘real’ stuff.
Megan O'Connell
Temporary Placement: People and Place
Permanent Placement: Work Safety
Qualification Attained: Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science (Psychology)
Megan's graduate experience
I had a relatively easy beginning to the Comcare Graduate Program as I did not have to relocate to Canberra like my fellow graduates. I grew up in Canberra and was keen to gain a position in the APS following my studies. I was initially attracted to Comcare because of the work they do in the area of worker health and safety. I was particularly interested in the strong focus on prevention and psychological wellbeing.
There are only six graduates in our graduate group and the small number has allowed us to become good friends and support each other. Through our participation in the Diploma of Government, we have also been able to mix with other graduates from different agencies and form networks both socially and professionally. The Diploma has been an invaluable opportunity to develop skills in the area of public administration. We have undertaken courses in Stakeholder Engagement, Procurement, Policy and Relationship Management. No doubt the skills I have learnt from this training will be useful in my work at Comcare.
The Graduate Major Project which forms part of the assessment for the Diploma of Government is a wonderful learning opportunity. In the project team we have been able to learn about managing a project and gain specific knowledge in our topic area. We have also had the chance to work with senior staff members and collaborate with numerous areas of the agency.
Also as part of the Comcare Graduate Program, graduates have the opportunity to shadow the CEO for a week. This was a rewarding experience, an insight into upper management and allowed me to interact with members of Comcare and other agencies over meetings, conferences and dinners.
Both of my placements have been enjoyable. I have had some challenging tasks, learnt a great deal and have made connections with very knowledgeable and supportive people. Overall, my experiences in the Graduate Program have been positive and I am looking forward to what lies ahead!
Garth Worboy
Temporary Placement: Stratgeic Policy
Permanent Placement: Performance Analysis
Qualification Attained: Bachelor of Economics (Econometrics)/Bachelor of Laws
Garth's graduate experience
I had the daunting task of moving all the way from sunny Coffs Harbour to the city of Canberra where I knew nobody. I was told that finding a place to live was a difficult task, however Comcare greatly assisted this process by offering very generous and comfortable temporary accommodation. Once I found myself an apartment and commenced work I was able to settle down immediately. Comcare has such a relaxed atmosphere it was easy to make friends with both the graduate group and my team members. Despite being the only male in the graduate group I feel I have a strong connection with all the girls, and am now far more knowledgeable about shoes and fashion.
Comcare’s graduate program also offers free membership into the Social Network of Graduates (SNoG) which is a self-run social group formed by graduates from every department in Canberra. This is a great way to meet new people in similar situations to you, and can help to make friendships, sporting teams and if you’re lucky, maybe even something more!
The graduate year offers masses of valuable training which will help in any future career you wish to pursue. The Diploma of Government is a very professionally run course based at the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC). This not only enriches your skill base and allows you to meet a wider range of graduates and to understand the work they do, but also provides you with a free lunch! Additional training is also encouraged; I myself now have a much better knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Word from attending advanced courses.
The rotation set-up of the graduate program allows for a wider understanding of the work Comcare does. It gives you a feel for different areas and helps you to network within the agency. In addition to this, Comcare offers an outbound program and the chance to shadow the CEO for a week. Visiting the regional offices gave me great insight into the work conducted by the investigators, and shadowing Paul O’Connor was an invaluable learning experience that I don’t believe I would have received at any other agency.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my year to date in Canberra, and now officially call it home. Comcare has assisted me to not only love my job, but to develop my skills, make new friends, become more active and prepare myself for a long career in the APS.
Liz Sinclair
Temporary Placement: Recovery and Support - Decision Support
Current Placement: Recovery and Support - Reviews
Qualifications attained: Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Social Science
Liz's graduate experience
I moved from Sydney in February 2011 to commence the Graduate program with Comcare. Prior to commencing the program four of the grads were able to visit the office in December to gain a look into what our grad program would entail. We were given a lot of support by Comcare for our move and in settling into Canberra.
A great part of Comcare’s Graduate program is the Graduate Development Program (GDP) that is run by the Australian Public Service Commission for graduates from a variety of departments. Not only does this course provide graduates with a professional qualification, but it is also a great opportunity to meet other graduates and form social and professional associations.
A great part of the GDP is the opportunity to participate in a number of graduate events. I took part in the Great Graduate Debate where I had the opportunity to debate against a group of graduates in the first round and a selection of Department Secretaries in the second. This was a fantastic experience and good opportunity to develop social and professional networks as well as develop teamwork and public speaking skills.
I completed my first rotation in Decision Support within the Recovery and Support Group. This was a great introduction to the claims side of Comcare as Decision Support dealt with queries from injured workers, agencies and licensees on the operation and application of the legislation. This meant that by the end of my rotation I had a solid knowledge of the relevant legislation. My second placement is in Reviews where we undertake independent reconsiderations of an injured workers claim.
Comcare has also provided this years graduates the opportunity to undertake a shadow week with our CEO Paul O’Connor. This opportunity is designed to give us insight into the role of a CEO and experience the broader aspects of Comcare’s business. Further, we were also able to undertake a three day Outbound Program at one of Comcare’s regional offices. My Outbound Program was through the Melbourne office where I got to work with Comcare’s Work Health and Safety Investigators.