Salary at Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA)

There is a good pay structure established but I am at the bottom of it and so my pay is limited. I do not know how bonuses work yet.

I very much doubt that they give out any bonuses. The graduate pay is quite low when compared to the equivalent ongoing roles. Considering that I have a masters degree I feel that I am undervalued.

In government our pay structures are properly regulated.

It's enough to pay my rent, but difficult as I need to move often for my job so I am at the mercy of short term expensive leases.

Pay for graduates is quite low. Some graduates have had opportunities for higher honours, essentially an acting arrangement within their team due to their higher work output. However, I feel unable to broach this topic with my manager despite my output exceeding that expected of a graduate.

Unfortunately, government wages don't allow an incentive-based bonus

As far as I'm aware, we don't have bonuses, but that doesn't mean they aren't there. We are paid in accordance with the VPS enterprise agreement. There are also salary packages available and flexible work arrangements that you can negotiate with your managers.

My current salary is the highest I have ever earnt and there are clear pathways to moving to higher band in the future so I have no complaints.

Pay is good for the initial step between University training and professional employment. Sometimes asked to do work that is probably beyond the current pay scale - but important to keep in mind that it is a learning / development opportunity. Plus - incredible perks for L&D and guaranteed employment.

Moving expenses can be covered by the team that you go to.

For emergency roles we have fit-for-fire: getting paid during work hours to stay fit.

Very limited perks, as is expected in government. Most extracurricular activities are at one's own expense. However, the graduate program provides very generous learning and development funding, and this is also available for directly applicable uses through funding allocated to my branch.

As part of the grad program there is the opportunity to travel around Victoria and stay in very fancy hotels with very fancy food paid for. Travel is also not uncommon for people in non grad roles although I think grad accommodation is generally fancier. This might be a bit of a weird one but I also really enjoy the ability to hold an emergency response role as part of the department, it opens up all new opportunities for training and development and it's really rewarding to help the community during emergencies.

Flexible work, moving expenses, Grad connections (a HUGE support network very early in your career), training & L&D, multiple roles to test what you like and what you don't