what is an important factor for getting a job in the Australian government deparment?

Question

i want to apply for grauduates positions next year. it doesn't really specify what the requirements are. it also doesn't specify what kinda jobs you will be getting. just says they are looking for grduates from wide discipline of studies.
what would give me an advantage over others when applying for government graduates positions?

Answer 1

1. You must be an Australian citizen and resident in Aus.
2. Degrees and higher education are preferable
3. Generally speaking there is a preference for flexibility and multi skilling. Some depts go through phases of swinging toward one type person/skills and swinging away to the opposite (It depends on who the heads of the dept as they influence the recruitment and work descriptions) some flexibility and broaders skill base is a plus in those situations.
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The graduate programme sorts the "better" applicants from the mob and you may nominate which depts you wish to works for ie (DFAT, Customs, Quarantine, Fed Police, ATO, Centrelink etc). All the agencies would have given details of their basic graduate requirements to the organisation and any preferences that they have (ie they may due to EEO want more women or ethnic employees or may be taking a new direction in the work types and want to have people who will fit with that). The recruitment agency then list all of the applicants against their preferred agency and goes through the list culling any that dont meet minimum requirements (I think DFAT once apon a time used to require a second language for instance). Then often starting the most difficult positions (DFAT/ASIO) they fill them and work their way through the list. Just like Uni applications some people may get no offers some may get several. Those with offers respond and take up their preferred agency and any residual vacancies are met through a later offer.

I would suggest that for a graduate good marks are important, poeple skills, flexibility, in some analytical abilities would be important but not in others, attention to detail and observation skills would be important in others.

I suggest you talk to the recruiters and see what agencies are hiring.. then go to the agency websites and check out what they do and whether you think you might like that sort of work.
Check out any jobs they have listed and what skills are required this will give you an understanding of what you may want ot apply for and what skills you will need to emphasise.
Of course they dont expect too much of graduates but do your homework for the best opportunities.
A good place to monito Govt jobs and check out the requirements is the Public service gazette. Its weekly and lists any job openings (as well as those filled etc).
http://psgazette.gov.au/

Answer 2

The Australian Government Workplace portal provides access to employment services that include volunteer work, career planning, wage management, funding programs, and assistance to people looking for jobs or returning to work. The Portal also provides access to information on employment and workplace relations.

Good question, check out the Australian Government portal
located at the link enclosed. Good luck.