How to land a graduate job at Services Australia

What is the best way to get into the graduate program at Services Australia?

To get into the Services Australia National Graduate Program you need to apply through our annual recruitment process via our website. You can find a link here. The recruitment process involves a number of steps including an online application form, online assessment and participation in an assessment centre.

These tips will help you through the process:

• Research Services Australia. We are responsible for the development of service delivery policy and provide access to social, health and other payments and services. Be up to date with the major current issues and challenges that our agency is facing. Review the requirements of the National Graduate Program.
• Understand the broader issues relevant to us and your field of study.
• Make sure the device you plan to use for online assessments is working properly.
• Practice addressing selection criteria using the STAR method:

S – describe a specific situation
T – what was the task you needed to do
A – what action did you do to achieve it
R – what result did you get.

• Give us examples. Prepare a suite of work, volunteer and/or study examples that are time and project-specific and frame your responses in terms of the actions you took. You should feel comfortable frequently using the word “I” in your responses.

What about timing?

Applications for the 2024 National Graduate Program open 6 March and close 17 April 2023. Throughout the recruitment process, we keep in contact with our potential candidates via email and phone. You can also follow us on the Services Australia Facebook page. 

What type of grads are you looking for?

We're looking for graduates who want to deliver a simple, helpful, respectful and transparent experience for our customers. We want the future leaders of the Australian Public Service. We want graduates who are bold, have big ideas and are forward thinkers.

We’re looking for a wide range of people to join us and we’re committed to providing an inclusive workplace. We value our staff for their unique qualities, ideas and perspectives.

Our policies support workplace diversity and we implement strategies and initiatives to champion this.

To be eligible, you must:

• be an Australian citizen on 17 April 2023
• be willing to relocate if required
• have completed or due to complete an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, recognised in Australia, within 5 years prior to program commencement.  
• have a Weighted Average Mark of 60 or above to apply to the legal stream
• have completed, or be due to complete, an Australian Association of Social Work approved qualification to apply to the social work stream.

To apply to the generalist stream, you can have any degree.

To apply to our other streams, you need a relevant degree in one of these areas:

• communication
• data
• digital
• finance
• human resources
• law
• social work
• service design
• service delivery.

How can I stand out?

Candidates who have done their research and practiced both video interviewing and face-to-face interviewing will stand out in the process. Show us you have an understanding of our business and the graduate program.

You can show us strong problem-solving skills using examples from your study, volunteer work, and essentially any job you have worked in. Try to relate them back to the graduate program and what you anticipate you will be doing during the graduate year.

What are some key attributes of successful candidates?

Successful applicants will demonstrate:

• proven initiative
• ethical, adaptive and evidence-based judgement
• strong problem-solving skills
• excellent written and verbal communication skills
• the ability to establish positive working relationships with team members and stakeholders
• support for a workplace culture that values diversity, respect and inclusion.

Any other tips for graduates?

Applying for and making your way through the selection process for a graduate program can be stressful and time-consuming. Make sure you set aside time for relaxation and recreation to maintain your health and well-being. This is just as important during your career when you will experience the usual challenges and changes in pace that work brings.