Graduate applications for the vacancy pathway for round 5 of the Community and Social Services Graduate Program are closed.
The next graduate application round will open November 2026.
The nomination pathway is open until 9 October 2026 at 11:59 pm.
Are you passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of Victorians?
The Community and Social Services Graduate Program is all about investing in the next generation of community service workers.
Read the below information to find out how to apply through the nomination pathway and what happens at each step.
About the program
The Community and Social Services Graduate Program is a 12-month program for new practitioners in the sector.
We support you to build skills and knowledge through professional development and on-the-job experience. The program will help you work with confidence and meet people across community and social services.
Develop a rewarding career by choosing a graduate year that suits your interests, skills and goals.
The program includes organisations across this sector, including:
family violence services
sexual assault services
child and family services
child protection
home-based or residential out-of-home care services
disability services
social or community housing
homelessness services
alcohol and other drug (AOD) services in community services settings
any of the above services provided by an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation
other community services funded by government.
The Community and Social Services Graduate Program is for people who have graduated within the last 2 years from a course related to community and social services. This could be at a Diploma, Bachelor or Master level.
Recent graduates may be:
Interested in a role in community services
This includes people seeking their first role in the community and social services sector after completing their qualification.
New employees in the community and social services sector. This includes people who:
started work in community and social services in the past 12 months
have an employer who is interested in participating in the graduate program.
All successful applicants in the Community and Social Services Graduate Program will take part in a 12-month learning and development opportunity. This will equip you with the skills and confidence to succeed in your new role.
The program includes:
a cross-sector orientation to build your understanding of the service system in practice
evidence-based practices to boost your learning
networking with fellow graduates across the sector.
Graduates build skills and knowledge through learning and development across 2 levels:
on the job: provided by your employer or sector
across the sector: through a cross-sector program.
If you are a graduate who has not yet secured a job, we will connect you with participating employers. Graduates who move to take up a role in a rural or regional area will be supported to relocate.
Learning series
Graduates will do a 4-part learning series across the year. The series aims to boost professional growth and development in key learning areas.
The 4 topics are:
learning through reflective practice
sustaining wellbeing: proactive approaches for practitioners
cultural elements: elevating culturally competent practice
putting ‘person-centred’ into practice.
Community and social services is one of Victoria’s fastest growing sectors. A career in the sector can lead to many rewarding roles, which can:
make a positive difference in the lives of Victorians
put your knowledge and training into practice in ways that really matter
help you be part of Victoria’s social reforms in family violence, disability, children and families, homelessness, social housing and more.
Learn more about working in the community and social services sector on Jobs that matter.
Eligibility requirements
Graduate applications for round 5 of the Community and Social Services Graduate Program are closed. The next graduate application round will open November 2026.
To apply for the Community and Social Services Graduate Program, you must:
have graduated in the last 2 years from a related course in community and social services.
Relevant studies include but are not limited to:
Diploma of Community Services (AQF5)
Bachelor of Social Work (AQF7)
Graduate Certificate in Family Violence (AQF8)
Master of Social Work (AQF9).
be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, or an Australian permanent resident
hold a visa that provides the right to work in Australia (the visa must remain valid for the duration of the respective graduate program round)
be able to attend an assessment centre, in-person or online
be willing to do required pre-employment safety screening checks, such as a police record check and working with children check
be available to take part in the program for 12 months starting October 2026.
We will accept international qualifications if an assessing authority (Australian Association of Social Workers or Australian Community Workers Association) has confirmed recognition and equivalency of the qualification.
How to apply
Graduate applications for round 5 of the Community and Social Services Graduate Program are closed. The next graduate application round will open November 2026.
There are 2 pathways to the Community and Social Services Graduate Program:
graduate application vacancy pathway: for graduates who are not working in the sector
nomination pathway: for graduates who currently work in the sector and have been in their role for less than 12 months.
Read the below information to find out below what you need to do to apply and what happens at each step.
Graduate application vacancy pathway
This pathway is for graduates who are not working in the sector.
Graduate applications for round 5 of the Community and Social Services Graduate Program closed at 11:59 pm on Sunday 2 August 2026.
The Community and Social Services Graduate Program has been extended for a sixth round.
Round 6 of is planned to open in November 2026.
If you are considering applying for future rounds of the program, below is information on the application process.
In your application, you will outline:
who you are
what you’ve studied
your sector preference.
You will need:
a resume
qualification transcript, or if yet to graduate an unofficial transcript and date you will finish
proof of eligibility to work in Australia.
The Graduate Resource Centre will invite eligible graduates to an assessment centre. These are held in person in Melbourne or on Teams as a virtual assessment centre. We encourage you to attend one in person, if possible.
The assessment centre includes:
group activities
individual role play activity
meeting and chatting to the Graduate Resource Centre and recruitment staff.
After the assessment centre, the Graduate Resource Centre will shortlist eligible graduates for roles in the sector.
If you are shortlisted for a role, you may be invited to an interview with the hiring organisation.
Hiring organisations may:
check your references
do pre-employment checks
send you paperwork to complete.
You will be able to start in your new role as soon as your hiring organisation suggests. This could be before the graduate program starts.
Successful round 5 participants will start the program in October 2026 for 12 months.
We will invite you to a welcome briefing and cross-sector orientation day to start the graduate year.
Nomination pathway
This pathway is for graduates who currently work in the sector and have been in their role for less than 12 months.
Your employer has until October 2026 to nominate you for the program.
