Graduate program

Our graduate program explained

Job placements

Our graduate program is a specialised 12-month program that starts in early February and offers 2 work rotation placements.

Placements allow graduates to experience Comcare's business through on-the-job learning in different work areas. The placements are based on a graduate’s skills and abilities, as well as the requirements of the business.

Learning and development

We provide a comprehensive training and development program, including work rotation placements, on-the-job experiences and technical and corporate training.

Graduates attend workshops, seminars, debates and training in a variety of areas which can include:

• stakeholder engagement and communication
• dealing with change
• administrative decision making and APS Values
• briefing and responding to decision makers
• leadership development and leading self
• project management
• risk management
• progressing your APS career Presentation skills
• working in teams
• developing policy and policy simulation
• change and resilience
• cultural awareness
• financial management.

Business areas may also offer learning and development opportunities specific to your work area.

Support networks

We provide our graduates with support networks during the program. These include:

Buddies

Graduates are allocated a buddy - a former graduate or a team member - who is a friendly face during the first few months and is on hand to ask those 'settling in' questions.

Graduate Coordinator

Our Graduate Coordinator provides graduates with ongoing advice and support on aspects of the graduate program, including orientation, rotational placements, work performance, learning and development and in-house training activities.

Direct supervisor

As a graduate, you will have the support and mentoring from a direct manager.

Social Network of Graduates membership

Graduates are also provided with membership to the Social Network of Graduates (SNoG). The network is a collective group of graduates from all APS agencies. SNoG provides opportunities to meet and network with other graduates and participate in activities such as a ski trip, trivia competitions and a ball.

What we look for

In addition to your academic qualifications, Comcare will be looking for graduates that are:

• outcomes-focused
• collaborative
• responsive to changing needs
• honest and truthful in their interactions with others
• effective communicators
• critical thinkers

Eligibility

To be eligible for our graduate program you must:

• be an Australian citizen
• have completed at least an Australian Qualifications Framework Level 7 qualification (a Bachelor degree), or higher equivalent by 31 December 2025
• have completed your most recent eligible qualification between 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2023
• be located or to be able to relocate to Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane or Darwin based on the location of the position offered

We encourage applications from people with diverse experiences and backgrounds, and welcome applications from:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• people with a disability
• people from a culturally and linguistically diverse background
• mature-age people.

Why work with us

We provide you with opportunities to broaden your skills and gain experience across business areas.

We offer many benefits including:

• a structured 12-month development program
• rewarding and meaningful work – you will be helping to enable safe and healthy workplaces across Australia
• career pathways that support you to build a career within Comcare
• on-the-job mentoring and coaching
• continuous learning and development, including cohort-based social learning
• generous remuneration and leave entitlements
• flexible working arrangements that allow you to work from home for 40–60% of the week
• Christmas shut-down period
• access to employee wellness programs
• support for further study through studies assistance (upon successful completion of the graduate program)
• relocation assistance
• rewards and recognition for outstanding contributions
• support networks, including a buddy, graduate coordinator, dedicated supervisor and networking opportunities with the wider APS
• a workplace that genuinely values diversity, equity and inclusion
• a workplace culture focused on development and growth
• a close-knit and collaborative working culture.

Learn more about working at Comcare.

If you are offered a graduate position

Candidates who are offered a position are subject to a police check and a medical assessment, which are standard conditions of employment at Comcare.

Graduates begin at APS Level 4.

Upon completing the 12-month program, graduates will progress to an APS5 classification subject to:

• satisfactory completion of the graduate program, probation, and performance requirements
• availability and affordability of a suitable role at the APS Level 5 in the business area
• having the relevant experience, role qualifications and skills and abilities in line with the APS5 Integrated Leadership System Profile.