2022 Graduate Program - Policy and Program Stream

Policy and Program Stream

As a policy and program graduate, you can expect to work on a variety of thought-provoking and challenging work, such as improving the family law system's response to domestic violence, working to better protect children or older Australians from abuse and collaborating with the private sector, states and territories and international partners to improve community safety, legal services and national security.

Policy and program graduates will participate in rotations across the department, working on policy and programs in areas that may include:

• civil justice
• family law and legal assistance
• criminal justice
• law enforcement
• crime prevention
• national and protective security
• international law
• human rights
• native title
• constitutional law
• protective security and integrity
• industrial relations policy

You may also rotate through our corporate areas including:

• human resources
• strategy and governance
• finance

You may also have the opportunity to experience a rotation in one of our portfolio agencies.

As part of your role you may:

• help to develop and implement legislation, policies and programs
• undertake analysis, research and critical thinking
• prepare written briefs, submissions, reports and ministerial correspondence
• manage events including ministerial and council meetings.

You will also:

• participate in development activities including a major project, which you will present to senior leadership
• contribute to a range of cultural and social activities including a high profile speaker series and fundraising initiatives
• receive ongoing support, coaching and on the job development from supervisors
• have access to learning and development activities, including the opportunity to complete further study.

We invite applications from graduates of all university disciplines including arts, business, commerce, communications, economics, humanities, international studies, law, management and science.

To be eligible for the policy and program stream you must:

• have completed a minimum qualification equivalent to a three year Australian undergraduate degree.
• have completed your undergraduate degree, or postgraduate qualification within the four year period at the time of applying (December 2017 to December 2021).
• have achieved a credit average or above in the qualification you completed within the last four years.

If we offer you a position on the program, you will also need to:

• pass a police record check
• get and keep a security clearance at the appropriate security level.

All policy and program graduate positions are based in Canberra. Financial assistance may be offered where graduates are relocating from their home state.

More About Us:

The Attorney-General's Department (AGD) delivers programs and policies to maintain and improve Australia's law and justice framework, and to facilitate jobs growth through policies that promote fair, productive, flexible and safe workplaces. Through the Australian Government Solicitor, we provide legal services to the Commonwealth, including legal advice and representation. We are the central policy and coordinating element of the Attorney-General's Portfolio, structured into five groups:

• Australian Government Solicitor
• Enabling Services
• Integrity and International
• Industrial Relations
• Legal Services and Families

We value different views, experiences and backgrounds and want to reflect the diversity of the Australian community in our workforce. We recognise that diversity will help develop our staff, our culture, and our business in fulfilling our mission of achieving a just and secure society.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for engaged and highly capable graduates who:

• have strong academic results
• think critically and are curious
• respond positively to change and feedback, demonstrating flexibility and resilience
• build relationships with clients, stakeholders and peers
• research to find solutions to challenges and apply creativity
• bring and share diverse perspectives
• apply sound judgment
• communicate and engage professionally with people.

In return, you will be supported to become a well-rounded policy and program officer, practising economist or a legal professional with sound skills, knowledge and experience in an area of law.

Our graduate program offers the chance to experience a range of challenging and exciting opportunities to help develop your career in one of our streams:

• policy and program
• legal practice (Australian Government Solicitor)
• economics
• industrial relations legal

We also run Affirmative Measures bulk recruitment processes for the following streams:

• Affirmative Measures Indigenous:
  • Policy and Program
  • Legal Practice (Australian Government Solicitor)
• Affirmative Measures Disability:
  • Policy and Program