Indigenous employment opportunities in the APS

The Australian Public Service (APS) Commission coordinates recruitment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and graduates for career opportunities in a large range of Australian Government agencies.

By lodging a single application with us you may be considered for employment opportunities in over 40 Australian Government agencies!

We are seeking Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to work in a variety of fields in the APS from international relations through to the environment. This also includes, but is not limited to, opportunities to work in Indigenous affairs.

Indigenous graduate program 

Looking for a great way to transition your studies into a career?  The APS has a range of positions available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have recently or will have completed an undergraduate degree by February 2011. This means that you can apply if you are scheduled to complete your degree by February 2011, or if you completed your degree in the past 3-5 years.

While many of the positions are based in Canberra, there may be opportunities available in regional locations. The APS is seeking graduates from a range of disciplines. Graduate starting salaries in 2011 are expected to range up to $53,000. Actual salaries will vary according to the agency you are employed by and the skills and experience you possess.

A graduate program is a great way to kick-start your career and broaden your understanding of how Government works, public administration processes and the business of your employing agency. Typically running for one year, it offers participants the opportunity to apply what they know through a variety of work placements, participate in ongoing professional development, and access a great support network that includes current and former graduates.

Development activities on the graduate program generally include:

• access to a mentor;
• work rotations designed to develop your understanding of the overall business of the agency;
• training and development courses in areas such as policy processes, project management and interpersonal skills; and
• networking activities with current and former graduates.

Ultimately, this program is the first step in a great career where you know that what you do can make a difference. It can provide the opportunity to work for an organisation that offers job security, work-life balance and respects your Indigenous heritage. This application kit will give you an opportunity to tell potential employers about your background, skills and experience. All applicants are encouraged to read through the kit before completing their applications.

Applying for graduate opportunities within the APS

To be eligible for a graduate position, a person must meet all the following criteria:

• be of Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent;
• identify as an Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander;
• be accepted as an Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander in the community in which he/she lives, or has lived;
• have (or expect to have) completed an undergraduate degree by February 2011 or earlier; and
• be an Australian Citizen (Section 22 of the Public Service Act 1999 requires that APS employees must be Australian citizens).

Applying

Information kits and application forms are available here.

Personal details

The form asks you to provide details that we will need to know if you are successful in gaining an interview.  Amongst other things, it tells us how to contact you, so it is important that the information you provide is accurate, clear and up-to-date.  If your contact details change at any stage during the selection process, it is important that you advise us at indigenous@apsc.gov.au.

Statement of Interest

Your statement of interest is the first opportunity we will have to gain an understanding of your interests in the APS and your skills and abilities. We advise applicants to do some research into employing agencies prior to completing this section. It might be useful to check out the APS Indigenous section of our website for information on careers in the APS www.apsc.gov.au/indigenous.

Resume

You should also provide a brief resume with an overview of relevant work and voluntary experience, as well as any academic or personal achievements. We encourage you to describe what you have done and highlight notable experiences which could include things such as organising activities in your community or managing your family responsibilities with study etc.

Submitting applications

Applications will close on Friday, 23 April 2010

Completed applications can be emailed to

indigenous@apsc.gov.au

or posted to:

The Application Officer
APS Indigenous Graduate Program
Indigenous Employment Team
National Business Centre
Australian Public Service Commission
Aviation House
Level 6, 16 Furzer Street
Phillip ACT 2606

Further information

If you have any questions on the Indigenous Graduate Program, please contact the Indigenous Employment Team on 1300 656 009 or email indigenous@apsc.gov.au

Indigenous cadetships

A cadetship is a combination of full time study and work placement. Each year cadets undertake 12 weeks of work placement with their employing agency. These work placements are normally undertaken during university breaks.

Cadets receive a wage while undertaking work placements, as well as an allowance while studying and financial assistance for text books and university fees.

The APS Indigenous Cadetship intake is an initiative that is a partnership of a number of Australian Government agencies. We are looking for cadets from a range of disciplines.

The APS cadet intake is run in conjunction with the Department of Employment, Education and Workplace Relations’ (DEEWR) Indigenous Employment Program (IEP). Applicants will need to be familiar with the Indigenous Cadetship Support (ICS) Terms and Conditions, to find out more, visit https://www.ics.deewr.gov.au/ or ring 1802102.

Applying for a cadetship with the APS

Eligibility

Applicants must be:

• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
• Planning to undertake full time studies towards their first undergraduate degree.
• Eligible in accordance to ICS requirements and registered on the ICS database

Applications for the next Indigenous Cadetships will open early 2010.

Further information

If you have any questions on the Indigenous Cadetship Program, please contact the Indigenous Employment Team on 1300 656 009 or email indigenous@apsc.gov.au

Indigenous Traineeships

What the Indigenous Traineeship offers

The Indigenous Traineeship is a career trainee development program. It provides you with a great wage, the opportunity to learn new skills and to undertake a structured training program leading to a permanent job in the Australian Public Service.

Benefits of an Indigenous Traineeship include:

• an opportunity to complete a nationally recognised qualification in Government at either the Certificate III or IV level
• access to a professional support network, including fellow Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander APS employees
• mentoring and coaching
• an ongoing job following the successful completion of probation requirements

Who we want

We are looking for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who:

• are interested in working for the Australian Government
• work well with others
• have good communication skills, and
• are good at solving problems.

Prior experience or qualifications are not required.

Further information

Applications for the next intake will open early 2010.

If you have any questions regarding the Indigenous Traineeships email Indigenous@apsc.gov.au or call 1300 656 009.