Victorian Government graduate program

We are looking for innovative and progressive graduates to help make our vision for Victoria a reality. We want diverse people with a range of skills, backgrounds and lived experiences.

We need graduates that reflect the community we serve, so we encourage people from all different parts of the community to apply. We’re less interested in grade point averages and are more interested in who our applicants are.

We want people who are creative, curious, have a drive to learn and live our shared values(opens in a new window) of integrity, respect and human rights. Some strengths we look for include:

• verbal and written communication
• problem solving and analytics
• adaptability and resilience
• teamwork and stakeholder engagement
• stream specific technical skills.

When you apply, you must:

• have completed your undergraduate or postgraduate degree or the same as level 7 and above of the Australian Qualifications Framework(opens in a new window) between 1 January 2024 and 1 January 2027
• be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, or an Australian permanent resident. Please note: an active application for permanent residency does not meet the eligibility requirement
• not be on a temporary graduate visa(opens in a new window)
• be available for full time employment from the program start date of February 2027
• consent to a police check
• be able to attend an allocated virtual assessment centre session between 16 July - 4 August
• not have taken a voluntary redundancy from the Victorian public sector in the 3 years up to the program commencing February 2027.

In your online application you will need to upload your:

• resume
• proof of citizenship, or residency status
• academic transcript, academic progress statement.

The online application form checks the eligibility of each applicant when applying.

You'll work in 2 roles across different departments and get:

• a starting salary of $68,408 plus super
• a promotion to an ongoing VPS 3 position and pay rise to $83,941 plus super at the program’s end
• personal and professional training
• mentoring from executives
• training in general and specialised areas
• flexible working conditions and hybrid working
• a chance to build networks with like-minded graduates across government
• access to future career opportunities in the Victorian Public Service. 

For most streams, there are 10 departments(opens in a new window) you may work in. Each department also has agencies attached to them that you could end up working in.

You’ll work in 2 roles over 12 months across 2 different departments.

All our roles are based in Victoria and the majority of those are based in Melbourne's central business district. You will discuss your work arrangements with your employer in each rotation. The Victorian Government’s flexible work policy(opens in a new window) aims to strike a balance between your needs and the requirements of the role and team.

Read our privacy policy(opens in a new window) to see what we collect and why.

What you’ve studied

You can apply to this stream with any undergraduate or postgraduate degree.

What work you’ll do

You’ll do a broad range of work so you’re well-rounded and experience different perspectives and ideas.

Types of roles in this stream:

• policy officer
• communications officer
• project officer
• community engagement officer
• organisational development officer
• corporate governance graduate. 

What you’ve studied

You can apply to this stream if you have majors in:

• accounting
• banking
• business management
• commerce
• finance.

What work you’ll do

You’ll draw on your accounting and finance skills in every placement in this stream. You’ll work across a wide range of areas across government including:

• budget and fiscal strategy
• public sector policy development and program delivery
• financial reporting
• commercial and major infrastructure project management and delivery.

You may get support towards Chartered Accountant or Chartered Practicing Accountant accreditation.

Types of roles in this stream:

• graduate budget analyst
• graduate financial accountant
• graduate budget officer
• graduate analyst
• financial accounting officer
• graduate business partner
• graduate finance analyst.

What you’ve studied

You can apply to this stream if you have:

• an undergraduate or post-graduate degree in economics, econometrics or Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE); or,
• an undergraduate degree (any discipline) with a major or minor in economics or econometrics.

What work you’ll do

You’ll contribute to a prosperous Victoria and play a role in managing our economy, working on a diverse range of real-world challenges across areas including:

• revenue and taxation
• social policy and environmental policy
• regulation
• modelling and forecasting.

Through this work, you’ll apply economic thinking, policy frameworks and analytical tools to tackle practical questions and help shape evidence-based outcomes for Victoria.

Most roles in this stream are with the Department of Treasury and Finance.

Types of roles in this stream:

• graduate economist
• graduate policy officer (economics)
• graduate analyst.

What you’ve studied

You can apply to this stream if you have majors in:

• biostatistics
• computer science
• data analytics
• data science
• econometrics
• engineering
• information technology
• mathematics
• modelling
• science
• statistics.

You’ll have an advantage if you have coding experience in languages like Python, R, MATLAB, SAS, SQL.

What work you’ll do

You’ll work with a diverse range of datasets and analytics tools to improve the lives of Victorians.

Types of roles in this stream:

• data analyst (graduate)
• data and policy analyst
• graduate project officer (data analytics)
• graduate data analyst.

It’s important the Victorian Public Service reflects the community we serve.

To help us make the public service diverse and inclusive, we’ve made support pathways for:

• First Peoples
• applicants with disability.

You still choose a stream to apply for and you can let us know about reasonable adjustments within your application.

Note that although these are support pathways into the program, if you apply this way you are still considered against all candidates for the same roles.

The First Peoples pathway is an initiative from the First Peoples Workforce Development Strategy, Barring Djinang. The strategy is designed to improve attraction and retention of First Peoples in the Victorian public sector.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people can choose to use the First Peoples pathway when they apply.

The pathway offers flexible and tailored support for each applicant.

Support when you apply

During the application process a dedicated team member from the First Peoples Workforce Development branch will provide applicants with:

• support with your application
• regular contact and catch-ups (where needed) before submission with the First Peoples Workforce Development team at the Victorian Public Sector Commission.

Support during the program

If you join the program, the pathway provides graduates with:

• regular contact and catch-ups
• cultural and professional support
• access to broader cultural groups and networking opportunities.

If you'd like to talk to someone about the First Peoples pathway, please contact the First Peoples Workforce Development branch at FirstPeoplesWorkforce@vpsc.vic.gov.au.

Some graduate roles available may give you priority consideration as per the Special Measures provision of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010(opens in a new window).

Your privacy

Read our privacy policy(opens in a new window) to see what we collect and why.

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.

Support when you apply

If you opt into this pathway, we’ll work with you to give you flexible and tailored support in the application process.

For example, previous applicants have had these adjustments(opens in a new window):

• audio description and live captioning for assessments
• materials in larger font
• more time to answer questions in the interview
• interview questions in advance.

These are just examples and we’ll work with you based on your needs.

Support during the program

If you join the program, we’ll check in with you and your manager regularly to see what support you need to succeed.

We’ll listen to your needs and act on what you say.

Other ways we’ll support you are:

• access to workplace adjustments and flexible work
• ways to connect with peers with disability.

Speak to us about the disability pathway

If you’re unsure whether to opt in, get in touch with us for a confidential chat at vpscgrads@hoban.com.au or on 1300 304 128 .

Some graduate roles available may give you priority consideration as per the Special Measures provision of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010(opens in a new window).

Your privacy

Read our privacy policy(opens in a new window) to see what we collect and why.

For further detail about each of these steps please see below.

Applications for the First Peoples pathway remain open until Sunday 24 May 2026 to support continued engagement and outreach with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants.

What you'll do

You’ll tell us in the online application form:

• who you are
• what you’ve studied
• what stream you want to do
• if you’d like to opt into a pathway as a First Peoples applicant or applicant with disability.

What you'll need

You'll need to upload your:

• resume
• proof of citizenship, residency status or working rights in Australia
• academic transcript or academic progress statement.

If you opt to use a pathway

As part of the online form, you'll have the chance to opt into the:

• First Peoples pathway
• Disability pathway.

If you opt in to a pathway, you will be able to request reasonable adjustments within the application form.

The assessment closes on Monday 1st June 2026 at 10am.

We will hold a short information session on Friday 29 May to take you through this assessment and share some tips.

What you'll do

Following the successful completion of your application form and fulfillment of all eligibility criteria, you’ll be invited by email to complete the online cognitive ability assessment called Cognify delivered by our assessment partner Criteria. Cognify is a game-based assessment, and you’ll do a test on verbal, numerical, and abstract reasoning.

Everyone has strengths in different areas, so don’t worry if you find one type of question more challenging than the others. This test allows you to show your strengths.

What you'll need

You'll need:

• stable internet access
• at least 30 minutes to do the test.

The assessment closes on Monday 15 June 2026 at 10am.

If you progress from the cognitive ability assessment, you will be invited to complete a video interview delivered by our assessment partner Criteria.

This is an online recorded interview that you can complete at a time and place that suits you. The interview is designed to give you the opportunity to share your experiences, motivations and communication style in your own words.

Criteria will guide you through a brief system check and provide instructions to help you feel prepared.

What you'll need

• a quiet, well-lit space
• computer, tablet or smartphone with a camera and microphone
• stable internet connection
• approximately one hour to complete the assessment.

What you'll do

• complete a small number of pre-recorded video questions
• listen/read the question and consider your response
• respond to the question in the time provided.

What you’ll do

You’ll attend an online information session and hear from departments about the work areas and roles that are being recruited.

What you’ll need

You’ll need to complete a preference form, following the session, that contributes to the department assessment centre you may be allocated to attend.

5.1 VAC Stage 1: Work sample assessment Thursday 2 July - Tuesday 7 July 2026

This assessment closes on Monday 7 July 2026 at 10am.

You will be invited to complete a stream specific work sample delivered by our assessment partner Criteria. This online activity is designed to give you a realistic preview of the type of work you might undertake in your chosen stream while allowing you to demonstrate relevant skills and technical abilities in a practical and applied way.

You’ll be provided with instructions and guided through the platform on how to complete and submit your responses.

You don’t need prior experience with work samples to perform well. The activity is focused on assessing skills and capabilities appropriate for graduate level roles.

What you’ll do:

• an activity on your own
• complete a work sample specific to your stream to assess your technical competencies, time management and communication skills.

What you'll need:

• stable internet access
• at least 30 minutes to do the test.

This activity is completed in your own time during the specified dates. Once you start the assessment you can’t pause or retake the assessment.

5.2 VAC Stage 2: Virtual Interview Panel (VIP) Thursday 16 July – Tuesday 4 August 2026

You’ll be asked to book into a virtual interview panel time slot.

This is a live interview conducted online, bringing together a small panel of interviewers from the hiring team.

During the interview, you’ll be asked questions relating to your motivation for the graduate program, your skills and experiences, and how you might approach scenarios relevant to working in the Victorian public service (VPS).

Ahead of the interview, you’ll receive clear information on how to prepare.

What you’ll do

• be required to show your identification
• hear from the recruitment team about the department you are being interviewed by
• join a panel interview with the VPS hiring team.

What you’ll need

You’ll need:

• to prepare for the interview
• a quiet, private space
• stable internet access
• a device to take part in a video call.

You should allow at least 1.5 to 2 hours for your assessment centre.

We'll:

• check your references
• call you to make a verbal offer
• do a pre-employment check
• send you some more paperwork including your employment contract.