Victorian Public Service GRADS Program
Field of Law
Stage of Career
Contact Details
Address: 3 Treasury Place Melbourne
Phone: 03 7004 7115
Contact person: Jarrod Salmon
Visit the Graduates page on the Victorian Government website
Email: Jarrod.Salmon@vpsc.vic.gov.au
Description of Organisation
The Victorian Public Service is responsible for public schools, health, policing, roads and traffic, public housing and business regulation.
Number of legal positions within organisation:
The Victorian Government graduate program recruits up to 100 graduates each year in a range of streams. The Legal stream can have up to 20 of those positions in any given year.
Does your organisation have a human rights officer?
Yes, but this is not a dedicated position - a staff member fulfils this role along with their other duties
Information for secondary schools
Do you have work experience placements for secondary school students?
The Victorian public sector offers work experience placements for Year 9 and Year 10 high school students. In a work experience placement, you'll get insights into how the Victorian Government works, as well as learning about the day-to-day operations of a particular business area.
Contact person for work experience placements:
Most departments, agencies and other Victorian public sector organisations are happy to arrange work experience placements for students. You can contact them directly for information and placements. For contact information, visit the Victorian Government website.
Do you host school trips or send speakers to schools?
The Parliament of Victoria offers a range of activities for students at primary, secondary, tertiary and adult education levels. Visit:
https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/visit/schooltours
Contact person for school trip and/or speakers:
Please visit: https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/visit/schooltours
Any other opportunities for secondary school students? (E.g. essay competition)
Please visit: https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/visit/schooltours
Information for university students/graduates
Do you have a graduate clerkship program?
The Victorian Public Service offers the Victorian Government graduate program.
This program is a 12-month development program, offering a unique opportunity to learn about government and contribute to a range of strategic policy and project initiatives.
It does not provide accredited PLT and admission to practise; however, it provides an excellent career pathway into Government work.
Graduates are employed by one department or agency but experience placements in two more departments or agencies throughout the year and an extensive learning and development program.
Participants are guaranteed a position with their home department and a promotion on successful completion of the program.
Graduates commence on an attractive entry level salary and on satisfactory completion of the program return to an ongoing role in their original department at a higher grade. The program is highly regarded in all areas of the Victorian Government.
What are you looking for in a graduate?
Apart from your academic record, the Victorian Government graduate recruitment team considers the whole person when assessing applicants: your values, skills, work experience, involvement in extra-curricular activities (for example, in sport or as a volunteer), and other community interests.
The program is looking for graduates who want to contribute to Victoria's community with the following values:
- Responsiveness
- Integrity
- Impartiality
- Accountability
- Respect
- Leadership
- Human Rights
- Commitment to the Victorian Public Service and its values
In particular, applicants must have the following attributes:
- Excellent Verbal and Written Communication skills
- Problem solving and analytics
- Adaptability and Resilience
- Teamwork and stakeholder engagement
- Initiative and accountability
- Flexibility
Qualifications/skills required
- Australian Working Rights
- Has not received a Voluntary Departure Package from the VPS in the last three years
- Will have a minimum of a three-year undergraduate degree by the end of year of application
- Agreement to undertake a Police Criminal Records Check
What electives/areas of study are viewed favourably?
Generalist law degree. Double degree with accounting finance and economics an advantage
What prior work/volunteer work is viewed favourably?
Volunteering that shows a community focus and breadth of life experience. Overseas Internships/volunteering experience.
How many graduates do you take a year?
Approximately 100
How does one apply
When applications are open, you can apply online at https://www.vic.gov.au/victorian-government-graduate-program
Dates for application
Second round applications will be open in July/August 2020. See website for exact dates.
Do you require your applicants to be recent law graduates? If so, how recent?
You must have completed your undergraduate or postgraduate degree or the same as level 7 and above of the Australian Qualifications Framework between 1 January 2018 and 1 January 2021
Interview process
There is a 5-step process to recruitment. Dates for each stage will be updated on the website.
1. Online application form - You'll tell us in an online form:
- who you are
- what you’ve done
- what stream you want to do
- where you’d like to work
- if you’d like to opt into a pathway as an applicant with disability or if you identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
2. Online assessment - You'll do a test on your numeracy, logic and verbal communication, with behavioural and situational assessments.
You can:
- do a test question before you start to practise
We'll send you the results when you’re done.
3. Video interview - You'll record a video of yourself and get:
- 90 seconds to read each question
- 2 minutes to record your response to each question
You can do a test question before you start to practise.
4. Assessment centre - You'll do:
- an activity on your own
- a group activity
- an interview with people from government
5. Employment offer - If you get an offer, we'll:
- call you after everyone sees us in person
- do a pre-employment check
- try and offer you a place in the department you chose when you applied
- send you some more paperwork to do
Information for Indigenous Students
Graduates who identify as of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent are encouraged to apply. Throughout the application stage and beyond, GRADS provides culturally sensitive support. GRADS will put you in touch with Aboriginal Employment Officers and other Aboriginal VPS staff and Koori networks.
For more information, contact Lynne Witynski, the Pathway Manager on 03 9651 2618 or send an email to: lynne.witynski@ssa.vic.gov.au
How many law graduates do you employ outside your graduate program, and what sort of roles do they fill?
A wide variety of roles are available across government that are open Law graduates, for example:
- Agriculture, land and environment
- Business
- Consulting, Policy and Strategy
- Education and Training
- Healthcare, Medical and Community
- Hospitality and Tourism, Arts and Sport
- Justice, Prisons, Police and Emergency Services
The following resources will help you start looking:
Pick Vic is a comprehensive career resource designed to assist students and graduates find their place in the Victorian Government. It details the wide variety of work areas and roles, along with the skills and qualifications you'll need to get there.
The Victorian Government Careers Website
The best way to gain employment with the Victorian Government is by registering and applying online through the Victorian Government Careers Website
The Careers website is a central hub for finding employment with Victorian Government. As well as advertising current vacancies with all major departments and agencies, the site provides useful information to help you prepare your career plan and employment profile.
The Careers site includes:
- Career planning information
- A Career Toolkit
- Career tips and ideas
Do you have a minimum Grade Point Average standard for an applicant's academic record?
No. Applicants are assessed on a whole-of-person basis in which life experience and written and verbal communication skills are valued highly and their academic record is only one factor.
If there are any fails on a candidate's academic record how will they affect the recruitment process?
As long as they have completed their degree, there is no disadvantage.
What sort of volunteer/internship opportunities are available?
For all information on the Victorian Government opportunities beyond the graduate program, we recommend you log in to the Careers website at https://www.careers.vic.gov.au/
Contact person for volunteers:
There is no specific person listed.
Information for practising lawyers
What are you looking for in a permanent employee?
Similar to our graduates, the Victorian Government is looking for employees who want to contribute to Victoria's community with the following values:
- Responsiveness
- Integrity
- Impartiality
- Accountability
- Respect
- Leadership
- Human Rights
- Commitment to the Victorian Public Service and its values
What prior work is viewed favourably?
This is role dependent. Please review the position descriptions for the role that you are considering.
On average, how many positions become available per year?
This varies depending on the roles available in each department at any given time.
How many applications do you receive for these?
Most roles in the Victorian Government attract many candidates so it is important to update your resume and write a cover letter that addresses the key selection criteria of the role.
Where do you advertise your positions?
For all information on the Victorian Government opportunities beyond the graduate program, we recommend you log in to the Careers website at https://www.careers.vic.gov.au/
Do you use a recruitment agency?
- GRADS is administered by Hoban Recruitment.
- Middle and senior positions are handled by Hudsons Recrutiment.
- Other jobs are available via e-recruitment at The Victorian Government Careers Website
Advice for applicants
Have an up to date resume that documents all of your achievements and experience. Make sure you address key selection criteria of the role if applicable.
Additional comments
There are many positions available at the Victorian Government on an ongoing basis. Set up notifications through the The Victorian Government Careers Website so that you are notified of any roles that might become available.
