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Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C)

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4.2
  • #6 in Government & public service
  • 1,000 - 50,000 employees

Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) Graduate Programs & Internships

  • Government & Public Service

We are the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, or PM&C for short. Our role is to provide fresh thinking and sound advice to government.

What PM&C does: Our focus is to find new ways to improve the lives of all Australians.

The conditions under which Government operate are constantly changing in response to a variety of national and global challenges. No day is the same.

It’s our responsibility to stay informed on these issues. This lets us provide considered advice to the Prime Minister, the Cabinet, Portfolio Ministers and Assistant Ministers.

PM&C plays three key roles to help ensure the Australian Government functions at its best.

  • We coordinate government-wide policy and ensure its implementation.
  • We work with the Australian Public Service Commission to create a productive public sector.
  • We consult across government, private enterprise, the not-for-profit sector and the community.

To learn more about our current initiatives, please visit our website.

The good bits: 

  • 12-month, multiple award-winning graduate program where you choose where you work
  • Excellent support including mentors, buddies and networking opportunities to connect with countless business areas
  • A starting APS3 salary of $74,264 + 15.4% superannuation and potential advancement after 6 months to the APS4 salary
  • Inspiring and diverse work opportunities so that you can tailor your program to suit your goals
  • Work-life balance including flexible working from home arrangements and generous leave entitlements
  • Career progression to a permanent placement of your choice and possibility of future promotion
  • Generous relocation package to support your move to Canberra
  • A work culture that respects opinions and fosters inclusion and diversity

Hiring grads with degrees in: 

  • Engineering
  • Maths
  • IT & Computer Sciences
  • Finance
  • Accounting
  • Economics & Business Administration
  • Health & Medical Sciences
  • Humanities
  • Arts & Social Sciences
  • Law & Legal Studies
  • Property & Built Environment
  • Sciences
  • Teaching, Education & Human Welfare

Graduate Program & Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C)

PM&C is a modern, collaborative and responsive organisation that drives excellence across the Australian Public Service (APS). We are at the heart of government, delivering quality outcomes for the Australian public. We offer a broad range of opportunities for you to sink your teeth into, and the privilege of collaborating with line agencies to achieve government objectives on a daily basis. This means your experience isn’t narrowed to any one section of government, allowing you to leave no stone unturned in your journey.

To learn more about our program, please visit our website.

As a Graduate at PM&C, you will have the opportunity to rotate through our areas of focus:

  • Domestic Policy
  • Government
  • International Policy
  • National Security
  • Office for Women
  • Regulation
  • Public Data
  • Social Policy
  • Corporate

Our Culture 

At PM&C, we maintain a strong commitment to individual and organisational excellence. 

We enjoy robust debate. We value people who have unique ideas and are not afraid to argue their position.

At the same time, collaboration is key. We promote a culture that respects the opinions of others and we encourage team members to achieve results with humility.

Of course, integrity is also important. PM&C expects and rewards excellence in everything we do.

The Department is committed to what’s best for Australia. Our roles come with great responsibility—we have the daily opportunity to make a difference and we take this opportunity seriously.

Social contribution

While politicians talk about improving the lives of Australians, it's public servants, especially those in PM&C, who have the challenging task of turning those aspirational visions into reality. As a PM&C staffer, you’ll be suggesting and helping implement policies that will have a positive impact on the lives of the Australian people.

Recruitment Process

Key dates

March to April: Applications open in early March and you will have a 4 week period to complete an online form and provide your resume and academic transcript into our recruitment system. 

April: First round of assessments. This usually includes an online cognitive, behavioural and job focused assessment. 

May: Second phase of assessment. This includes a written task to assess your ability to analyse, structure and communicate information. 

June: Final phase of assessment. This is a Virtual Assessment Centre that includes interview and group activity.     

July: Offers are made. You may be offered a place in the PM&C Graduate program or potentially offered an APS3 role within the department.

August to December: Networking commences to connect you with your peers.

December to January: Relocation. For those moving to Canberra, we will support you in the relocation process from start to finish. You will receive regular updates prior to your commencement.

February: Welcome, induction and commencement!

Remuneration & Career Growth

As a PM&C graduate, you will have the opportunity to undertake foundational professional development. Though our development opportunities are ever evolving, our program includes fundamental skills such as policy writing, social intelligence, economics for non-economists and problem-solving.

The 70:20:10 Approach

At PM&C we believe that the journey is more important than the destination. Our program empowers graduates to discover, learn and grow through diverse opportunities.

The opportunity to work at PM&C will allow you to keep all of your options open, rotating through our areas of focus to explore your potential career path while having the comfort of knowing you have job security. 

PM&C gives you incredible insight into how the public service works and how decision-making works at the highest level - its like a mini public service rolled into one department. And as a graduate, you are working on meaningful work from day one, with the unparalleled opportunity to do that across a range of policy areas as you rotate around the department.

Unlike other government graduate programs, the PM&C program allows you to choose your own rotations, leaving your next adventure up to you.  The program will support you to connect and network with different business area, however ultimately the responsibility is yours.

What we offer

PM&C Graduates are offered permanent ongoing role in the APS with attractive salary and benefits, including access to flexible work, leave and generous superannuation. 

PM&C is a flexible, diverse and inclusive workplace with attractive remuneration packages, including generous employer superannuation contributions. Our graduates start as full-time, permanent employees at the APS3 level. After 6 months, you may be eligible to advance to the APS4 level. On successful completion of the program, you will be assessed for advancement to the APS5 level.

Relocation assistance

We know that starting a new job, let alone starting in a new city, can be daunting, challenging and exciting. We'll take care of the logistics, so you can focus on the rest. We offer relocation assistance to successful candidates to ensure a seamless introduction to living in Canberra. This includes (if applicable) relocation assistance for dependants and, in some cases, your pets.

Graduate Reviews

Overall Score
4.2
Overall score based on 12 reviews
They Score Best in…
8.3
Satisfaction
8.0
Management
8.2
Work Hours
8.3
Satisfaction
8.0
Management
8.2
Work Hours
What Graduates Say About Them
  • The people are very friendly and supportive.
  • The culture is very good; people are dedicated, very competent, and very often willing to give you time, attention, and genuine respect.
  • Exposure, knowledge building, and a fast-paced environment that develops skills much quicker
  • The people! The workplace culture at PM&C is excellent.
  • Culture is great! People are really lovely and motivated. The diverse opportunities are due to being a central agency.
  • Salary
  • There is sometimes too much work for the time that we have.
  • Having to relocate for it.
  • Tight timeframes.
  • Lots of emails.

Jobs & Opportunities

Locations With Jobs & Opportunities
  • Canberra
Hiring candidates with qualifications in
B
Business & Management
C
Creative Arts
E
Engineering & Mathematics
H
Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences
I
IT & Computer Science
L
Law, Legal Studies & Justice
M
Medical & Health Sciences
P
Property & Built Environment
S
Sciences
T
Teaching & Education
Current Jobs & Opportunities

Graduate Job

Canberra
Your opportunity to experience multiple public service domains in one department!
Applications Close
7 Apr 2024
Start Date
Ongoing
Salary
AUD 74,264 - 88,887 / Year

15.4% superannuation and potential advancement after 6 months to the APS4 salary

Graduate Job

Canberra
Your opportunity to experience multiple public service domains in one department!
Applications Close
7 Apr 2024
Start Date
Ongoing
Salary
AUD 74,264 - 88,887 / Year

15.4% superannuation and potential advancement after 6 months to the APS4 salary


Graduate Success Stories


  • Graduate stories
You are given the autonomy and trust to network with PM&C teams to secure rotations that align with your interests, and values and challenge your skill set.

Georgie Vine

  • Graduate stories
You are given the autonomy and trust to network with PM&C teams to secure rotations that align with your interests, and values and challenge your skill set.

Georgie Vine

  • Graduate stories
PM&C allows you to choose your own rotations through networking, rather than putting a preference on paper like most other graduate programs.

Leeann Chen

  • Graduate stories
PM&C allows you to choose your own rotations through networking, rather than putting a preference on paper like most other graduate programs.

Leeann Chen

  • Graduate stories
You are given the autonomy and trust to network with PM&C teams to secure rotations that align with your interests, and values and challenge your skill set.

Georgie Vine

  • Graduate stories
You are given the autonomy and trust to network with PM&C teams to secure rotations that align with your interests, and values and challenge your skill set.

Georgie Vine

  • Graduate stories
PM&C allows you to choose your own rotations through networking, rather than putting a preference on paper like most other graduate programs.

Leeann Chen

  • Graduate stories
PM&C allows you to choose your own rotations through networking, rather than putting a preference on paper like most other graduate programs.

Leeann Chen


A Day In The Life Of


  • Day in the life

Jessica Lamb

Jessica Lamb is now an adviser at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C).
  • Day in the life

Jessica Lamb

Jessica Lamb is now an adviser at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C).
  • Day in the life

Nechama Basserabie

Nechama Basserabie studied Bachelor of Art Theory/Bachelor of Laws at University of New South Wales and is now a Graduate at Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C).
  • Day in the life

Nechama Basserabie

Nechama Basserabie studied Bachelor of Art Theory/Bachelor of Laws at University of New South Wales and is now a Graduate at Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C).
  • Day in the life

Jessica Lamb

Jessica Lamb is now an adviser at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C).
  • Day in the life

Jessica Lamb

Jessica Lamb is now an adviser at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C).
  • Day in the life

Nechama Basserabie

Nechama Basserabie studied Bachelor of Art Theory/Bachelor of Laws at University of New South Wales and is now a Graduate at Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C).
  • Day in the life

Nechama Basserabie

Nechama Basserabie studied Bachelor of Art Theory/Bachelor of Laws at University of New South Wales and is now a Graduate at Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C).

Videos


Want to Stand Out? Get our Top Tips for your Application and Assessment!

Are you considering applying for the PM&C Graduate program? Do you want to make sure you put your best foot forward during the application and assessment process? Look no further, as we've got you covered.

Want to Stand Out? Get our Top Tips for your Application and Assessment!

Are you considering applying for the PM&C Graduate program? Do you want to make sure you put your best foot forward during the application and assessment process? Look no further, as we've got you covered.