Graduate program

Our graduate program explained

Job placements

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

The objective of placements is to 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 are committed to providing a comprehensive training and development program including work rotation placements, technical and corporate training as well as on-the-job experiences.

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 provide you with further learning and development opportunities specific to your work area.

Graduates are involved in other activities including a 'corporate project'. Working collaboratively to address a current strategic challenge facing Comcare, graduates research the issues, develop recommendations and provide a written report and presentation to the CEO and members of the Executive.

Support networks

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

Buddies

Graduates are allocated a buddy - a former graduate - 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 report to a direct supervisor.

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 and 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
• capable of delivering high quality performance

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 2022
• have completed your most recent eligible qualification between 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2022
• be able to relocate to Canberra.

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.

Graduates begin at the APS Level 4.

We offer many benefits including:

• a structured 12 month development program
• career pathways – that support you to build a career within Comcare
• generous remuneration and leave entitlements
• flexible working arrangements that allow you to work from home for 40-60% of the week.
• employee wellness programs
• performance Development Planning
• christmas shut-down period
• rewards and recognition
• commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace
• buddy program
• support for further study through studies assistance on successful completion of the graduate program.
• access to relocation assistance if required.

As an employer, we are committed to delivering on our Employee Value Propositions.

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.

There is a 12-month probationary period and graduates are required to successfully complete the requirements of the program. After this, graduates are engaged as ongoing permanent employees.

Upon completing the program, graduates may apply for a higher APS level position through the regular open competitive merit application process.