Victorian Government
Victorian Government graduate program (Feb 2026)
Melbourne
Opportunity details
- Graduate Job or Program
- AUD 66416 / Year
- 50-100 vacancies
- Apply by 27 Apr 2025
- Start date 1 Feb 2026
Why join us?
Graduates join us because we offer meaningful work that directly impacts Victorians. No other Victorian employer has such a diversity of roles.
Over 12 months, you’ll work in 3 roles across different departments and have access to future opportunities that are only available to people who work in the Victorian Public Service.
As a graduate, you’ll also have opportunities to learn and grow with mentors and peer networks and be guaranteed a permanent job at the end of the program.
You’ll have a home department that you start in for your first rotation and return to at the end of the program.
Skills required
- Verbal and written communication
- Problem solving and analytical mindset
- Adaptability and resilience
- Teamwork and stakeholder engagement
Program streams
Generalist stream
The generalist stream is open to graduates from all academic disciplines. You’ll do a broad range of work so you’re well-rounded and experience different perspectives and ideas.
Past generalist graduates have been placed in areas including communications and engagement, environment, diversity and inclusion, organisational development, policy, law, research and workforce strategy.
Accounting and finance stream
The accounting and finance stream is open to graduates with a major in accounting, finance, banking, commerce and business management.
You’ll draw on your accounting and finance skills in every placement in this stream and get support towards Chartered Accountant or Chartered Practicing Accountant accreditation.
Data analytics stream
The data analytics stream is open to graduates with majors in biostatistics, computer science, data analytics, data science, econometrics, engineering, information technology, mathematics, modelling, science and/or statistics.
You’ll also have an advantage if you have coding experience in languages like Python, R, MATLAB, SAS, SQL and so on. You’ll work with a diverse range of datasets and analytics tools to improve the lives of Victorians.
Economic consultancy stream
You can apply to this stream if you have majors in economics or econometrics. You’ll contribute to a prosperous Victoria and play a role in managing our economy. Past economic consultancy graduates have been placed in areas including strategic policy and projects, revenue forecasting, price monitoring and regulation, renewable energy, telecommunications and tax and gambling policy.
Program benefits
You'll work in 3 roles across different departments and get:
- access to workplace adjustments
- a starting salary of $66,416 plus super
- personal and professional training
- mentoring from executives
- training in general and specialised areas
- flexible working conditions, such as hybrid working
- a chance to build networks with like-minded graduates across government
- a promotion and pay rise to $79,122 plus super at the program’s end
- access to future career opportunities that are only available to people who work in the Victorian Public Service.
Eligibility criteria
- Undergraduate or postgraduate degree or the same as level 7 and above of the Australian Qualifications Framework completed between 1 January 2023 and 1 January 2026.
- Australian or New Zealand citizen or Australian permanent resident.
- Not be on a temporary graduate visa.
- Attend an allocated virtual assessment centre session between 19 June and 3 July 2025.
- Available for full time employment from the program start date of 2 February 2026.
- Not have taken a voluntary redundancy from the Victorian public sector in the 3 years prior to 2 February 2026.
Application stages
- Online application
- Online blended assessment
- Candidate information session
- Virtual assessment centre
- Wait for an outcome
Pathways
Pathway for First Peoples
The First Peoples pathway provides culturally appropriate guidance and support to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants through the recruitment and selection process. You'll be supported by the Victorian Public Sector Commission’s First Peoples Workforce Development team and other experienced professionals during the recruitment process and your career within the Victorian public sector.
Pathway for applicants with disability
We want applicants with disability to have an equitable experience. So, we’ve taken action to make our process fair for people with disability. You don’t need to share any information about your disability to apply through this pathway or throughout the program. You'll get tailored support during your application, throughout the program, and in your guaranteed job when you finish. The disability pathway is consistent with the Victorian Government’s Getting to Work disability employment action plan.
How to apply
Applications for the 2026 Victorian Government graduate program are open until 11:59 PM on Sunday 27 April 2025.
Apply now!
Hiring criteria
- No experience required
- Australian Citizen +more
- Business & Management +more
- Associate Degree 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.
At the moment, my day to day responsibilities are focused around managing an enquiries inbox, sending out a media highlights reel that is relevant to the workstream, and producing powerpoint products for di_erent stakeholders.
Day-to-day roles vary depending on projects in action by the Victorian state government. Typically analysing, summarizing and displaying data in digestible format.
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.