Our Graduate Development Program provides recent university graduates with opportunities to work in a diverse range of fields within the Department of Communities.

During the program, experienced professionals, peer support and a dedicated mentor will help you transition from study to employment within the Western Australian Public Sector.

Pathways

People, place, home is at the core of everything we do and why we do it. We are committed to sustaining an inclusive workforce with a range of skills, experiences and perspectives that reflects of the community we engage with.

We have different Pathways within our graduate program to support diversity in our workforce.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people pathway

We have dedicated positions for recent Aboriginal graduates. These positions are within the graduate program, and offer additional support that can include advice regarding your application, Aboriginal mentors, and links to Aboriginal peers.

People with disability pathway

We have dedicated positions for graduates with disability. These positions are within the graduate program, and offer additional support that can include advice on applications, reasonable adjustments to the selection process, access to workplace adjustments and flexible work options.

Graduate development

Professional development

Our graduates undertake a variety of professional development through-out the program, including on the job learning, coaching and mentoring and formal training including the Public Sector Commission’s Graduate Development Program.

Program rotations

The rotational program ensures each of our graduates have a unique experience, with opportunities to work across various business streams to Rotations include, but aren’t limited to:

  • project management
  • strategic planning
  • policy analysis and development
  • regional and remote planning
  • communications
  • grants and funding
  • strategic finance and economics
  • contract management
  • innovation programs
  • organisational development
  • community focused programs and projects

Your academic background

We hire graduates from all disciplines. The Department of Communities undertakes a diverse range of work and we are looking to recruit a mixture of talented graduates from a broad range of universities and academic backgrounds. Some of our previous graduates’ degrees include:

  • commerce
  • anthropology
  • psychology
  • arts
  • sociology
  • criminology
  • Aboriginal studies
  • sustainability
  • business
  • law
  • project management
  • urban and regional planning
  • architecture
  • communications

What we offer you

As a Western Australian Public Sector employee, you will enjoy all the benefits of working for the Western Australian Government, including flexibility and variety of work. Some of the other benefits you will experience include:

  • diverse rotations with the opportunity to work across numerous business areas in both metropolitan and regional locations
  • a dedicated mentor, peer support and networking opportunities within government, private and the not for profit sectors
  • competitive salary ($69,896) with an increment after 12 months
  • professional and personal development through training, site visits, placements, workshops and leadership programs
  • opportunities for regional and remote travel
  • flexible working hours
  • career progression in a challenging and rewarding workplace, with the opportunity for you to make a difference to the lives of Western Australians.

Eligibility and applications

To be eligible for the Department of Communities Graduate Program you must:

  • have a Bachelor degree or higher, that has been completed within the past two years (2018 or 2019 for the 2020 intake) before applying for the program, or will be completed before the start of the program (February for the yearly intake)
  • be an Australian citizen or have permanent residency status in Australia for a permanent appointment to the Western Australian public sector. Alternatively you may have documentary evidence (i.e. working visa) of your entitlement to live and work in Australia for the duration of the full program prior to applying
  • for our diversity pathways, identify as of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent and/or be a person with disability.

Applications for our Graduate Development Program 2021 will open in July/August 2020.

Applications will be able to be submitted via an advert on the WA Government Jobs Board.

Visit our How to Apply page for further information on eligibility and what to expect in the selection process.

Pride in Diversity logo. The Department of Communities has recently become a Principal Partner Member of Pride in Diversity.
Australian Network on Disability logo. The Department of Communities is progressing to become a Disability Confident Recruiter with the Australian Network on Disability.