Victorian Government
2023 Law Stream Graduate Program (Jan 2023)
Melbourne, Metro Melbourne
Opportunity expired
Opportunity details
- Graduate Job or Program
- AUD 61068 / Year
- plus super
- 5-10 vacancies
- Apply by 29 Aug 2022
- Start date 22 Jan 2023
The Victorian Government
We want the Victorian Government to be innovative and reflective of the community we serve. Graduates join us because we offer meaningful work that directly impacts Victorians and offers incredible career opportunities. No other employer has such a diversity of roles. Work in a place where you can live our shared values, of responsiveness, integrity, impartiality, accountability, respect, leadership, and human rights.
We offer employment streams tailored to what you studied at university and graduate pathways for applicants with a disability or who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
The Graduate Program
Complete 3 rotations in different departments over 12 months. You'll contribute to important work and make connections across government. Along the way, you'll develop your talents and discover new interests.
There are 9 departments and Victoria Police you can choose to work in for most streams. And each department has agencies attached to them that you may end up working in.
During the application process, you’ll tell us the top 2 departments you’d like to work in. If you don’t mind where you work, you can tell us that instead. Your choice of the department will help decide where you may start and have an ongoing role.
Law stream
The law stream is open to graduates with degrees in Law and / or a Juris Doctor that allows for admission to practise as an Australian lawyer. You'll work in legal and legislative areas undertaking research, drafting advice, developing effective networks and relationships and attending court. You'll be provided further training related to the law environment within the government.
Skills we look for in applicants
- Verbal and written communication
- Problem solving and analytical mindset
- Adaptability
- Teamwork and stakeholder engagement
- Education or experience in law
Eligibility criteria
- Completed an undergraduate or postgraduate degree between 1 January 2020 and 1 January 2023; and
- An undergraduate or postgraduate degree that allows you admission to practise as an Australian lawyer; and
- Australian or New Zealand citizen or Australian permanent resident or have unrestricted working rights in Australia at time of application; and
- Not be on a temporary graduate visa; and
- Not have taken voluntary redundancy from the Victorian public sector in the 3 years up to the program start date of 23 January 2023.
You will be required to provide evidence of your vaccination status or exemption if you are successful in receiving a formal offer to join the program.
Work location
All our roles are based in Victoria. You will negotiate your flexible and hybrid work arrangements with your employer in each rotation. The Victorian Government’s flexible work policy aims to strike a balance between your needs and the requirements of the role and team.
Application stages
- Online application form
- Online assessment
- Video interview
- Assessment Center
- Employment offer
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Pathway
You can opt to use this pathway if you identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
You still go through the program but will get support from your own pathway manager. This support is flexible and tailored to you, but can include things like:
- support with your application
- support from your own pathway manager
- one-on-ones prior to program milestones
- regular contact and catch-ups.
If you would like to talk to someone about the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander pathway, please contact the Aboriginal Employment Unit.
Disability Pathway
You can opt to use the disability pathway if you identify as a person with a disability.
We want applicants with disability to have an equitable experience. So we’ve taken action to make our process is fair for people with disability. You will not need to share any information about your disability to apply through this pathway or throughout the program.
You still go through the program but will get support from the pathway liaison.
The support in this pathway is flexible and tailored to you. It includes things like:
- flexible and tailored support in the application and interview process
- access to workplace adjustments and flexible work
- ways to connect with peers with disability
- access to mentors with disability.
How to apply
The 2023 Victorian Government graduate program applications are open between 25 July to 9:59 am AEST 29 August 2022. We are accepting applications for our generalist, law and project delivery streams.
Hear from our graduates
Read Rochelle's graduate story: Rochelle was unsure what area of law she wanted to pursue. Through the law stream she was able to rotate across different departments and gain valuable experience in various legal environments. Rochelle, law stream
Read Anna's graduate story: Applying through the Disability pathway provided Anna with a wealth of support including guidance from mentors and the Graduate Disability Liaison officer. Anna, generalist stream, disability pathway
Read Zack's graduate story: Zack is a Yorta Yorta/Dja Dja Wurrung man who has used his degree in criminology and psychology to follow in the footsteps of his family by starting a career in the public sector. Zack, generalist stream, Aboriginal pathway
Read Mollie's graduate story: Entering the economic consultancy stream, Mollie was determined to develop her business engagement skills and gain experience across different policy areas. Mollie, economic consultancy stream
Read Jess's graduate story: Jess has a keen interest in sustainable living and recycling and was thrilled when she was offered a role with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning. Jess, generalist stream
Read Monica's graduate story: When Monica joined the program, she had little idea where it would take her or what work she’d be doing. She soon learned that each placement would be a new and interesting experience with its own challenges and rewards. Monica, data analytics stream
Read Jagvir's graduate story: Joining the Victorian Government graduate program gave Jagvir the chance to work with purpose, to contribute to the Victorian community. Jagvir, accounting and finance stream
Hiring criteria
- No experience required
- Law, Legal Studies & Justice +more
- Bachelor or higher
Reviews
Depends on the department, but I feel for the most part the work I have been doing has actually made a genuine contribution.
Depends on the department and team. In my second and third rotation, had great managers and meaningful work to develop my skills. In my first rotation it was a struggle to get any work to do at all. Developing PowerBI dashboards to analyse services and performance, as well as budget usage.
Depending on the rotation, anywhere from exploratory data analysis, SQL, BI reporting, building dashboards, and engaging with stakeholders to understand requirements for a task. In my current role, day to day responsibilities are mostly preparing regular reports.
About the employer
Victorian Government
3.8
> 100,000 employees
Government & Public Service
Start your career in the Victorian Government graduate program and find work with purpose.
Pros and cons of working at Victorian Government
Pros
I've enjoyed working on meaningful programs and projects that I can see have a positive impact on the community. Even as a grad, I feel I've been able to make a valuable contribution.
Carefully considered graduate workplan that connects you with a like-minded graduate cohort. Offers three departmental rotations so that you get an engaging insight into public service work as a graduate.
I think the ability to work on projects and policies that are topical and improve Victoria is the best aspect of the job. There are a lot of really interesting roles and responsibilities. I like working on things that make a difference to people and place. It feels good to work for people and not profit. So far, I have worked on emission reduction projects, major infrastructure projects and grant programs. I am excited by all the important things I will work on in the future.
The prioritisation of staff well-being, flexible working arrangements, and the ability to remain mobile at the beginning of my career, gaining insight and experience into a number of areas.
Meaningful work and shared values between employees. In general, public servants are quite nice people. Meeting lots of people in the program. Great work life balance :)
Cons
Some managers are not sure how to best utilise grads or how to ensure we feel welcome in our short 4 month rotations. These managers are in the minority, however.
The uncertainty and underappreciation. Mobility and MOG changes are part and parcel of working in the VPS however they can be quite unnerving. The announcement of job cuts just weeks into the program was very unsettling. These efficiency savings have made me worry about losing my position and future career decisions. I also wasn't aware of just how unstable the job and teams were when I applied. Every team I have been in during the program has had people acting and leaving. I have also seen a change in premier and portfolio reshuffles. Secondly, I think there is a perception that public servants don't do anything and are bludgers. The Victorian Government Graduate program is very hard to get into and everyone is really passionate and hard working. Similarly, I have worked in teams with really inspiring and smart people. I think it is a shame that public perception isn't better. Further, I think the ceiling in terms of pay is quite low unless you're an executive. While the public service should be for people and not profit, in this fiscal environment we should be paid accordingly. I have been stressed as a graduate about paying my rent and affording to live in Melbourne.
Being a graduate there is not always a constant workload where motivation levels fluctuate over time.
Pay is ok. VPS 2.1.6 Given recent inflation, I think it is no longer competitive. 2 years ago it would have been appropriate, but it feels like taking a pay cut to be a part of the program. I understand that other graduate programs are not necessarily that much higher, but I think across the board there needs to be an increase. I'm in the Data Stream for the graduate program. I have a master’s in data science, but the work I've been given has mostly been data analyst related. I don't feel challenged in these roles, but I think that may be due to being overqualified.
The pace can be quite stressful and there are limited opportunities to celebrate the success of completing a particular piece of work before having to do the next one.