Michael
After completing the graduate program in 2009, I accepted a position as a Policy Officer in the Independent Contractors Section in the Industry and Small Business Policy Division. I have worked on a range of independent contractor issues, including facilitating legislative changes to the Independent Contractors Act 2006 and coordinating a departmental response to a House of Representatives inquiry. I have had the opportunity to manage a number of projects which has developed my skills in strategic thinking, stakeholder liaison and communication, as well as gaining a good understanding of the inner workings of Government.
The department offers a Masters of Public Policy program at the Australian National University. I am participating in the Masters program, which is specifically designed for and currently funded by the department. The department is very supportive of further study, and makes allowances for study leave. The Masters program is an excellent benefit of working at the department.
Su-Lin
Having commenced my career with the department as a graduate in 1998, I've had the opportunity to work in a variety of areas spanning policy, program management and program delivery. Our department offers a breadth of interesting roles across its Divisions and locations Australia wide. From working on a taskforce examining assistance arrangements for the Textile, Clothing and Footwear industry; to turning those policy ideas into programs to industry and ultimately working with businesses over a number of years you gain a unique perspective of the impact of government policies on the ground.
I've worked in our Victorian and Western Australian offices so whether you're interested in working with a resources technology company in regional WA to improve their productivity and competitiveness, a clothing manufacturer to become more innovative in Melbourne or examining how we can make our internal processes easier for our clients the department offers a variety of challenging and varied roles. Beyond on the job opportunities, we have a culture of continuing personal development, with access to in-house management and development programs and also being able to take time to do something completely different, such as I did, volunteering for a year in Timor-Leste.