Graduate employment programs
Graduate Programs are formal ongoing employment opportunities that many large private and public organisations offer to attract and train their leaders of the future. You need to apply for these programs at the start of your final year of study. Many applications close in March or April, even though you won't start working until January-February the following year. Some organisations do recruit throughout the year so it is important to keep reviewing closing dates.
Remember to regularly check application closing dates at Graduate Opportunities or Grad Connection.
The features & benefits of Graduate Programs
Graduate recruitment programs usually include induction, training and work rotations in order to provide graduate employees with a through overview of the organisation. However they aren’t for everyone and they are by no means the only way to secure employment after you gain your degree, in fact only 5% of graduates Australia-wide are accepted into a graduate employment program.
- Structured induction and professional development programs designed specifically for new or recent graduates
- Aim to develop professional skills and abilities of new graduates to suit the specific needs of a particular organisation
- Generally 1-3 years in length
- Many graduate employers recruit from a range of degree areas
- May include rotational or fixed roles
- Typically commence after completion of final year of study
- Access to mentoring programs
- Usually a number of graduates in the program
- Successful applicants have the advantage of knowing before graduation that they have a job lined up
Eligibility for Graduate Programs
- Applications are typically open to final year graduates; most programs require completion of degree within the previous two years for student to be eligible to apply
- Graduates who have completed a vacation scheme or internship with the employer are often more competitive
- Some organisations are looking for graduates from specific disciplines, some recruit across a range of disciplines
- Usually the case that organisations are looking for graduates with Permanent Resident status (and sometimes Australian citizenship)
- International students can find information on graduate employment programs here
What employers are looking for
- Strong academic results.
- Industry-related experience (through work placement, volunteering, employment).
- Leadership and teamwork experiences.
- Extra-curricular activities (sport, charity, student societies).
- Communication and inter-personal skills.
- Demonstrated motivation to work within industry/discipline.
Applying for Graduate Programs
Activities to help you prepare:
- Attend the Graduate Head Start Event and find out everything you need to know about applying for graduate programs and vacation schemes
- Read the information in this website on applications and interviews and assessments
- See the events page for details of workshops and events to help you prepare your application
Which companies offer graduate programs?
Many large and medium companies as well as federal and state government departments offer graduate employment programs. You can find out which companies offer graduate employment programs by searching the following websites.
- Graduate Opportunities publishes a book and a website listing companies advertising graduate programs
- UniGrad also publishes a book and website to help you find those grad programs
- Grad Connection has regular online forums to ask questions directly to employers
- CareerHub lists many graduate programs
- Australian Federal Government Department Graduate Programs
- Do a google search for companies in your industry
Graduate Head Start Workshop
On 20 February 2013 we ran a 3 hour workshop to provide information and tips on applying for graduate program. If you missed this workshop, you can access materials below:
Graduate Head Start e-book
Lots of information about the process of applying for graduate employment.
Slidecasts
These are PowerPoint slides with a voice recording. Watch on your PC, mobile or tablet.
- Introduction to graduate programs
- Online applications
- Behavioural questions
- Resumes
- Interviews
- Psychometric testing and assessment centres
- Networking
Expos
Attending an expo is an important aspect of applying for graduate programs. At an expo you can talk to employers about your skills, experiences and interests. It's a great way to ask more in depth questions and for the employers to remember you when they see your application. The following expos are scheduled in Melbourne during March 2013:
- Big Meet Expo
Tuesday 12 March 2013; 11am - 3pm - CPA Australia Career Expo
21 March 2013; 5.30pm - 8pm - CA Employment Evening
13 March 2013; 6pm - 8pm - Engineering Careers Expo 2013
21 March 2013; 11am - 7pm


