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Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA)

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

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) Graduate Programs & Internships

  • Government & Public Service

About the DEECA Science Graduate Program

During the two-year program you’ll get: 

  • varied rotations across Victoria to develop your skills and explore different areas of the business
  • a starting salary of more than $62,000
  • learning and development opportunities tailored to your career goals
  • flexible working arrangements
  • promotion and pay rise to more than $73,000 at the program’s end
  • mentoring
  • an excellent social and networking base with other graduates

Where you’ll work

Graduate roles are available all over Victoria. When applying for the program, you can tell us your role preference.

What we look for 

We’re less interested in your university grades and more in your identity. We look for candidates who are motivated to work in our Departments. We look for strengths in:

  • Verbal and written communication
  • Critical thinking and problem-solving
  • Innovation and continuous improvement
  • Flexibility and adaptability
  • Integrity

Join the ranks of more than 290 program participants who have participated in a variety of roles, industries and projects across Victoria over the last 30 years.

The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) brings together Victoria's climate change, energy, environment, water, forests, agriculture, resources and emergency management functions into a single department to maximise connections between the environment, community, industry and economy. We recognise the link between the built and natural environment in the quality of our lives and work to accommodate population growth while maintaining world-class liveability and protecting our heritage for future generations.

Our challenge is to improve Victoria's liveability with a population that is expected to almost double by 2050, while responsibly tackling climate change and protecting our natural environment, infrastructure and heritage for future generations.

We offer training and development opportunities for recent graduates of science, natural resource management, agriculture, ecology, conservation or related fields.

Your experiences will vary depending on where you've posted and what role you're undertaking but you'll enjoy the satisfaction that comes from playing an important role in making Victoria a pleasant and prosperous place to live. DEECA is a great place to start your career if you value work-life balance and inclusivity. It is great to work with like-minded individuals who are passionate about shaping Victoria.

Recruitment Process

Stage 1 - Your Application (June/July)

At this stage, you will be asked to complete an online application form. You will also need to upload your resume. You do not need to upload a cover letter.

Online testing in July

You will be asked to complete an online verbal numeric and abstract reasoning test (these tests are often called psychometric tests). It is a 20-minute timed assessment.

You'll need stable internet access.

If you would like some help with preparation for online testing, we recommend asking your university career advisors who will be able to provide assistance

Stage 2 – Video interviews (late July)

If you successfully progress to this stage of the process you will be asked to complete a video interview. During the video interviews you’ll be asked to tell us about yourself and respond to motivational and behavioural based questions.

You'll need stable internet access.

Stage 3 - Virtual Assessment Centre (August)

If you successfully progress to this stage you will be invited to the assessment centre. The assessment centre will include:

  • An interview
  • Group activity
  • Written activity and individual presentation

We make the environment as comfortable as possible so you can demonstrate your skills.

You'll need stable internet access.

Stage 4 - Interview (September)

The final part of the selection process is the interview. By this stage, there are usually 2 to 3 candidates for each graduate role.

At the interview, you'll be able to elaborate on your skills, experience and achievements.

You will be interviewed by people from the Department. We recommend taking the opportunity to find out who is on the interview panel and what their roles are in the organisation.

You will also have the opportunity to ask questions about the role and Department, so come prepared with questions.

Stage 5 – Offers (from September)

We'll let you know if you're successful and you'll receive a formal offer to join the program.

Remuneration & Career Growth

Career prospects

The program is designed to help you launch your career. As a graduate, you’ll work in varied roles. You’ll get to learn from mentors, connect with peer networks and complete training aligned to your career goals.

You will also be guaranteed a job at the end of the program

You’ll also have access to future career opportunities, only available to people who work in the Victorian Public Service.

As a graduate, you’ll be joining the ranks of more than 290 program participants who have participated in a variety of roles, industries and projects across Victoria over the last 30 years.

The DEECA Science Graduate program offers a competitive salary with a starting salary of more than $62,000, which increases to $73,000 at the program's end as you progress into your permanent position.

Keep in mind working in the public sector will allow you to use your pre-tax income to top up your super, pay a novated lease or take out discounted private health insurance. The Victorian public service also offers generous leave provisions with access to long service leave, paid parental leave and special leave.

Graduate Reviews

Overall Score
4.2
Overall score based on 13 reviews
They Score Best in…
9.0
Career Prospects
8.4
Culture
8.2
Training
9.4
Work Hours
9.0
Career Prospects
8.4
Culture
8.2
Training
9.4
Work Hours
What Graduates Say About Them
  • Very supportive of flexible working arrangements, work with passionate people who care about the work we do, lots of opportunities to move around and find work that suits.
  • Flexibility in working from the office or at home. Ability to change between government roles. Personal learning and Development budget.
  • Good flexibility and work/life balance. Good people and well-being is valued. Enjoyable and meaningful work. In my role, there are lots of new challenges and opportunities to learn and grow. Every week is different in project work.
  • There is a lot of breadth to the work DEECA does and as a graduate I have a lot of freedom to join projects in both longer and shorter term ways to build my experience
  • The initiatives for support (e.g. Peer Supporters), the flexible working, the opportunities for L&D, the culture.
  • Decisions can be slow and things often take a long time
  • Salary could be more competitive.
  • Fairly hierarchical workplace structure. Collaborating with and consulting other parts of the department isn't always smooth sailing. There is a fair bit of internal and external pressure on the output of the work.
  • Some of the worst things are also the best things, depending on the situation. Sometimes, its really challenging working in teams that are across the entire state (which also means you can get opportunities no matter where you are!), and there are lots of movements between positions, so it can be hard to keep track (but that also means you too can get any opportunity in any role relatively easily).
  • I can't think of anything major. Mostly just navigating a lot of new electronic systems

Jobs & Opportunities

Locations With Jobs & Opportunities
  • Melbourne and Regional Victoria
Hiring candidates with qualifications in
B
Business & Management
E
Engineering & Mathematics
G
General Skills & Pathways
H
Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences
I
IT & Computer Science
M
Medical & Health Sciences
P
Property & Built Environment
S
Sciences
Current Jobs & Opportunities

Graduate Job

Metro and regional Victoria
Work with us to create a liveable, inclusive and sustainable Victoria with thriving natural environments.
Applications Close
10 Jul 2024
Start Date
29 Jan 2025
Salary
AUD 62,604 / Year

Generous program and self-directed learning and development during graduate program

Graduate Job

Location: Rotation 1 - Neg. Seymour, Benalla or Wodonga. Rotation 2 - Benalla. Rotation 3 - Melbourne CBD
Join Us as a Graduate Building Collaborative Partnerships in Hume, Enhancing Fire Planning, and Driving Policy Reforms for Crown Land!
Applications Close
10 Jul 2024
Start Date
29 Jan 2025
Salary
AUD 62,604 / Year

Generous program and self-directed learning and development during program


Graduate Success Stories


  • Graduate stories
I love all the big complex problems we get to grapple with on a daily basis - I feel like my brain is stretching and growing every day!

Adele Carney

  • Graduate stories
I love all the big complex problems we get to grapple with on a daily basis - I feel like my brain is stretching and growing every day!

Adele Carney

  • Graduate stories
The coolest thing about my role has been the opportunities I've had to get out in the field and work with critically endangered species, such as the Helmeted Honeyeaters.

Gracie Doherty

  • Graduate stories
The coolest thing about my role has been the opportunities I've had to get out in the field and work with critically endangered species, such as the Helmeted Honeyeaters.

Gracie Doherty

  • Graduate stories
I love all the big complex problems we get to grapple with on a daily basis - I feel like my brain is stretching and growing every day!

Adele Carney

  • Graduate stories
I love all the big complex problems we get to grapple with on a daily basis - I feel like my brain is stretching and growing every day!

Adele Carney

  • Graduate stories
The coolest thing about my role has been the opportunities I've had to get out in the field and work with critically endangered species, such as the Helmeted Honeyeaters.

Gracie Doherty

  • Graduate stories
The coolest thing about my role has been the opportunities I've had to get out in the field and work with critically endangered species, such as the Helmeted Honeyeaters.

Gracie Doherty


A Day In The Life Of


  • Day in the life

Ella Loeffler

Ella studied Zoology and Ecology in their undergraduate degree. Working in government isn’t as scary or rigid as Ella thought it would be – there’s a lot of innovation and passion! There’s exciting work happening across the Department, and lots of things to get involved in.
  • Day in the life

Ella Loeffler

Ella studied Zoology and Ecology in their undergraduate degree. Working in government isn’t as scary or rigid as Ella thought it would be – there’s a lot of innovation and passion! There’s exciting work happening across the Department, and lots of things to get involved in.
  • Day in the life

Thomas Kirby

Thomas studied a Bachelor of Arts (Human Geography) at Monash University and a Graduate Certificate of Spatial Science at Charles Darwin University. As a grad, Thomas has really enjoyed the variety of work and projects they have contributed to.
  • Day in the life

Thomas Kirby

Thomas studied a Bachelor of Arts (Human Geography) at Monash University and a Graduate Certificate of Spatial Science at Charles Darwin University. As a grad, Thomas has really enjoyed the variety of work and projects they have contributed to.
  • Day in the life

Ella Loeffler

Ella studied Zoology and Ecology in their undergraduate degree. Working in government isn’t as scary or rigid as Ella thought it would be – there’s a lot of innovation and passion! There’s exciting work happening across the Department, and lots of things to get involved in.
  • Day in the life

Ella Loeffler

Ella studied Zoology and Ecology in their undergraduate degree. Working in government isn’t as scary or rigid as Ella thought it would be – there’s a lot of innovation and passion! There’s exciting work happening across the Department, and lots of things to get involved in.
  • Day in the life

Thomas Kirby

Thomas studied a Bachelor of Arts (Human Geography) at Monash University and a Graduate Certificate of Spatial Science at Charles Darwin University. As a grad, Thomas has really enjoyed the variety of work and projects they have contributed to.
  • Day in the life

Thomas Kirby

Thomas studied a Bachelor of Arts (Human Geography) at Monash University and a Graduate Certificate of Spatial Science at Charles Darwin University. As a grad, Thomas has really enjoyed the variety of work and projects they have contributed to.

Videos


Zoe

Hear from Zoe about their time in the DEECA Graduate Program

Emily

Hear from Emily about their time in the DEECA Graduate Program

Zoe

Hear from Zoe about their time in the DEECA Graduate Program

Emily

Hear from Emily about their time in the DEECA Graduate Program