Frequently Asked Questions
We realise that candidates often have many questions about graduate recruitment and life within Finance. We hope that some of your questions are answered below.
Do I have to do the Public Service Test?
No. The Public Service Recruitment Test, which applicants had to sit in order to enter the Public Service, no longer exists. Following the introduction of the Public Service Act 1999, any Australian citizen may apply for Public Service vacancies and compete in a merit based selection process. Each Government agency is now responsible for recruiting its own graduates.
What security requirements must I meet?
All Finance employees must have at least a provisional clearance at the 'Protected' level prior to commencement. Potential employees to Finance are required to complete a security pack and submit it to the Departmental Security Team (DST) for initial vetting at least five working days prior to commencement.
Potential employees to Finance, who are transferring from another agency and have a valid security clearance, will need to have this verified prior to commencing with the Department. As part of the initial vetting process, all potential employees to Finance will be required to undergo a Police Records Check. The DST will complete this process once the initial security pack has been received.
Commencement of employment (including payment of salary), issue of a photographic security access card, access to Finance tenancies, access to Finance information technology systems and classified material cannot be provided until the above process has been completed and, at least, a provisional clearance granted.
Depending on the level of clearance required, you may need to have a checkable background going back 10 years and you also must be an Australian citizen. If you are not an Australian citizen you must have received a citizenship waiver as both the citizenship waiver and security check need to be approved before employment can commence.
Why do I have to have a medical check?
An Australian Government medical clearance is a standard condition of employment in Finance. The medical clearance is designed to ensure that you are fit to work in the Department. Only the candidates successful in the final selection process undergo a medical check.
What if I graduated some time ago?
Some graduates who join us have just recently finished their degrees and others join us after having spent some time in the workforce. Finance recruits using a merit process which requires you to have graduated in the last five years and does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, race or ethnicity, or having a disability.
Where will I be working?
Graduates are based in Canberra and the Department is located in the leafy suburb of Parkes within the Parliamentary Triangle. The main Finance building is the John Gorton Building, King Edward Terrace, Parkes ACT (please see map below):
Finance is also located at the following locations:
- Minter Ellison Building;
- Tourism House;
- Parliament House;
- Treasury Building;
- COMCAR (Fyshwick); and
- Hume.
What is involved in relocating to Canberra?
The Department covers reasonable relocation expenses if you are coming from interstate. This is normally the cost of moving you and your belongings to Canberra as well as the cost of some temporary accommodation once you arrive. Further information will be provided once you receive your letter of offer.
If successful, when would I be expected to commence at Finance?
Unless negotiated otherwise, all successful candidates commence their employment in January.
What type of work will I be doing as a graduate?
Graduates are carefully placed into an area within the Department that suits them and will utilise their skills. Graduates remain in the same area for their graduate year, allowing them to develop and enhance their skills by providing adequate time for them to be involved in ‘real' work and begin to develop their profile and skills. At the end of the graduate year, graduates continue in their work area as a Finance employee, but have the opportunity to be involved in any recruitment rounds within Finance if they would like to move to another area.
Will I be part of a team?
When successful candidates become a graduate in Finance they will work a team with their colleagues and are supported by the following:
- Graduate Coordinators
Each Business Group has a nominated representative(s) to support graduates and manage the Program within their area. This ensures a central point of contact for graduates and also ensures specific Business Group requirements and objectives are achieved. - Buddies
Graduates from the previous year's program act as buddies to new graduates. Having a buddy is a great way to settle into Finance, particularly for interstate graduates to help them get to know Canberra and learn about Finance from a more personal perspective. - Mentor
As a graduate you can opt to have a mentor. A mentor is a Finance officer who supports and guides graduates through their learning, development and career progression at Finance.
What happens when I finish the program?
There are a number of employment opportunities in Finance after the graduate year has ceased. These opportunities may be internal or external recruitment rounds.
For more information contact the Recruitment and Retention Team.
Contact for information on this page: Recruitment and Retention Team