Graduate Careers Campaign
About
Who is PM&C?
At the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) we strive to be bold, be excellent and drive change. Our role is to provide fresh thinking and sound advice to government.
We provide advice to the Prime Minister and Cabinet on all aspects of Australian life. Our expertise spans Indigenous affairs, social and women’s policy, economic and international policy, defence, national security and everything in between.
With such diverse responsibilities, we can offer a large variety of opportunities.
We are a workplace that respects and values diversity. PM&C is a great place to work, and a place where great work is done.
'I love working at PM&C because it's really hard to neatly describe what I do. There are so many different things going on, so many different roles, and so many different functions you can be a part of.'
What work will you do?
The PM&C Graduate Program offers career opportunities hard to find elsewhere.
Our program provides the support, opportunities and challenges needed to develop future leaders.
You will work on projects and tasks addressing a range of government priorities. Previous graduates have prepared briefs for the Prime Minister, drafted speeches for Ministers and assisted with new policy proposals and cabinet submissions.
You will have the opportunity to work in governance and corporate areas such as legal, finance and ministerial support, as well as ‘on the ground’ in our regional network to help deliver our Indigenous programs.
To find out more about what it’s like to be a graduate and the sorts of things you’ll work on, check out our ‘A day in the life of a graduate’ page.
'I started at the beginning of 2016 and went into a corporate rotation. For my second six month block I did some time in the data policy and digital transformation area. My next block was in the communications team with the speechwriters. Then I headed off to the Wagga Wagga office, and joined the Riverina Murray team.
Having the opportunity to work in so many different areas has given me exposure to things I never would have thought about doing.'
Program details
The program runs for 18 months and is based in Canberra with rotations also offered in our regional network. Regional offices are located in areas such as Ceduna, Nhulunbuy, Katherine and Mt Isa.
Working across the Department gives you the opportunity to develop broad knowledge and understanding of the Government's priorities. You will gain experience developing and implementing government policy. The opportunity to work in our regional network will give you first-hand experience of government policies in action.
Training and support
The PM&C Graduate Program provides support, development and opportunities to set you up for future success.
To help you settle in to PM&C, you will take part in a comprehensive induction program. We will also give you a ‘buddy’ who has been through our Graduate Program in previous years.You will receive training to develop the skills needed in the workforce, and understand government operations and your responsibilities as a public servant.
In addition to structured learning, we also offer formal and informal networking opportunities. You will be able to network with senior PM&C staff, who directly advise the Prime Minister, allowing you to establish mentoring relationships.
What we offer
Our graduates start as full-time, permanent employees at the APS 3 level. After the second rotation you may be eligible to advance to the APS 4 level. On successful completion of the program, you will be assessed for advancement to the APS 5 level.
| Entitlement | Remuneration |
|---|---|
| APS level | APS Level 3 |
| Pay | $62,967 |
| Annual leave | 20 days |
| Personal leave (such as sick leave) | 18 days |
| Superannuation | 15.4% |
| Working hours | 38 hours per week |
Read our Enterprise Agreement 2017-2020 for more details on our pay and conditions. The Department also offers relocation assistance.
More information about the program
For more information on the PM&C Graduate Program you can email us at EntryLevelPrograms@pmc.gov.au or call us on 02 6271 6000.
More Information about PM&C
Who
Who we are looking for
PM&C graduates are innovative, forward thinking and passionate about making a difference to our country. They bring diversity of education, experiences and backgrounds to the Department and this in turn reflects our nation’s population.
To be a PM&C graduate you must be committed to helping improve the wellbeing of all Australians. You must be adaptable and resilient, and willing to embrace a range of opportunities.
We are looking for people from a variety of academic disciplines with diverse backgrounds. Below is further detail on what we are looking for in our graduates.
'It’s not so much the content you apply from your studies. It’s more using the research skills, some of the analysis you do and a lot of the critical thinking that really come into play when you’re working for an agency like PM&C.'
Motivated and interested in government
- You are a motivated, high achiever who wants to make a difference to the future of our country and who has an understanding of Government, policy and the work of the Department.
Communication skills
- You speak with confidence and clarity, and adapt your communication style to suit different people or situations.
- You can communicate opinions, information and evidence with influence to gain the agreement of others.
- You write simply, clearly and concisely in a well-structured and logical way.
Relationship management skills and respect
- You can quickly establish positive rapport with people at all levels in any organisation.
- You are able to build, maintain and use networks of contacts.
- You show respect and sensitivity towards cultural and religious differences.
- You embrace and respect diversity.
Analytical ability
- You understand the relationship between issues and how they might be part of a larger complex problem.
- You can gather and analyse data from multiple sources of information, and probe for further information where required, allowing you to make rational and considered judgements and decisions.
Innovative thinking and commitment to learning
- You are able to quickly learn new technology, processes and information.
- You actively seek out opportunities for personal, professional and organisational improvement.
- You are innovative and offer new ideas, approaches or insights.
- You approach problems creatively to find workable solutions.
Agility and resilience
- You demonstrate resilience in the workplace.
- You work productively in a high pressure environment and adapt and respond well to change and ambiguity, and make the most of the opportunities they present.
- You adapt and respond well to change and ambiguity, and make the most of the opportunities they present.
Cultural awareness
- You demonstrate an understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- You can communicate sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- You have a willingness and commitment to continue to develop cultural competency.
'What we’re interested in is people with good raw materials which we can work with, so people who are smart, inquisitive, can write well, those are the sort of deep skills that we can work with to turn people into first rate public policy analysts.'
More information
For more information on the PM&C Graduate Program you can email us at EntryLevelPrograms@pmc.gov.au or call us on 02 6271 6000.
Applications
Application process
Submitting your application is the first step to starting your career with PM&C.
To be eligible to apply, you must:
- Have completed at least a three-year undergraduate bachelor degree obtaining a credit average within the last seven years. All degrees must be complete by 31 December 2018 and be recognised in Australia.
- Be able to obtain and maintain an Australian Government security clearance to a minimum of Baseline level.
- Be an Australian citizen by 30 June 2018. You will need to provide evidence to verify impending citizenship.
As all positions are located in Canberra, you must also be willing to relocate to participate in the program.
Applications for the 2019 Graduate Program have now closed.
Assessment process
The application and assessment process of candidates applying for the 2019 Graduate Program will include the following:
- Submission of an online application, including your resume with referees, selection responses and academic transcript
- Online cognitive ability testing
- Assessment Centre (held in Canberra)
- Referee checks (where required)
- Offer
- Commencement in early 2019
Tips on applying for the Graduate Program.
'There is something at PM&C for everyone—no matter what you have studied, where you have worked before, what you think you might like to pursue—because at PM&C there are so many interesting issues under one roof.'
We encourage applications from people with diverse experience and backgrounds including: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex people; Culturally and Linguistically Diverse people; mature age and people with disability.
You can also join us through the following whole-of-government graduate programs:
- Australian Government ICT Graduate Program – for Information Technology graduates.
- APS Indigenous Graduate Program – for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander graduates. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are also encouraged to apply directly to PM&C’s program.
If you are a person with disability, you can opt in to the APSC’s RecuitAbility scheme. If you choose to opt in and meet the minimum assessment requirements, you will go straight to the next stage in the recruitment process.
More information
For more information on the PM&C Graduate Program you can email us at EntryLevelPrograms@pmc.gov.au or call us on 02 6271 6000.
Diversity
Diversity at PM&C
PM&C is committed to being a leader in diversity and inclusion. We actively build a diverse and inclusive workplace that promotes gender equality and harnesses the skills and experiences of people from all backgrounds.
The Department prioritises diversity and inclusion because we believe everyone has the right to feel valued, safe and included at work. Diversity is also a proven strength of high-performing teams and organisations. This approach strengthens our policy advice and solutions, and helps us create productive relationships.
We encourage applications from people with diverse experience and backgrounds including: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex people; Culturally and Linguistically Diverse people; mature age and people with disability.
'Australia is massively diverse so the more the public service and in particular the more the Department can reflect that diversity in its workforce, the better we’re going to be at bringing into being great policy advice.'
PM&C is proud to be a member of the Diversity Council of Australia, the Australian Network on Disability, and Pride in Diversity. We are also working towards White Ribbon accreditation.
The department has a range of strategies and initiatives to embed diversity and inclusion, including the following networks employees can get involved in:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employee Network
- Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Employee Network
- Disability Employee Network
- LGBTI Network
- Women's Network
'PM&C has an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employee Network. I’m the Chairperson of that network. We make it our business to go and introduce ourselves to the new people who start here and find out what community they are from.'
More information
For more information on the PM&C Graduate Program you can email us at EntryLevelPrograms@pmc.gov.au or call us on 02 6271 6000.