Updating Results

Department of Social Services

3.8
  • 1,000 - 50,000 employees

Department of Social Services Graduate Programs & Internships

  • Government & Public Service

The Department of Social Services offers a challenging and meaningful career working at the centre of the Australian Government's social policy agenda.

We are a people-based organisation that encourages flexible working conditions and opportunities for promotion and development in a career where you can make a difference to your community.

The diversity of our staff is very important to us and we actively encourage applications from people with disabilities, LGBTIQ people, women and people with diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

We recognise the richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and the unique knowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees bring to our workplace, policy development and service delivery. We welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islander people for vacancies in the Department.

Recruitment Process

The selection process for our positions can involve many stages, such as:

  • Online application
  • Interviews
  • Work sample assessment
  • Referee reports.

Candidates need to pass each stage of the selection process in order to move on to the next stage.

Remuneration & Career Growth

Our graduates commence at APS Level 3 and will advance to APS Level 5 on successful completion of the Graduate Development Program.

Ability Apprenticeship Program participants will start at the APS Level 3 and advance to APS Level 4 on successful completion of the program.

Graduate Reviews

Overall Score
3.8
Overall score based on 43 reviews
They Score Best in…
8.6
Work Hours
8.2
Salary
8.1
Diversity
7.9
Culture
8.6
Work Hours
8.2
Salary
8.1
Diversity
7.9
Culture
What Graduates Say About Them
  • The friendly atmosphere, the people you get to work with, the opportunities to be challenged and work on issues that affect our community.
  • You get to work across a wide range of communications areas
  • There are many good things about DSS. There is the flexibility, a great friendly culture, opportunities to gain experience in other roles within the department & good working conditions.
  • You get a sense of helping vulnerable people through targeted policies / programs / initiatives
  • The breadth of policy issues that DSS is responsible for - it offers a wide variety and plenty of opportunities to work in different areas.
  • Government of the day changing the agenda
  • Like all large organisations, the bureaucracy to do certain things.
  • I miss living in a big city! Don't necessarily get a say as to where you are placed.
  • Working in the Australian Public Service involves adhering to a lot of bureaucratic processes.

Jobs & Opportunities

Locations With Jobs & Opportunities
  • Graduate Development Program - Canberra based Ability Apprenticeship Program - multiple states
Hiring candidates with qualifications in
B
Business & Management
C
Creative Arts
E
Engineering & Mathematics
H
Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences
I
IT & Computer Science
L
Law, Legal Studies & Justice
M
Medical & Health Sciences
S
Sciences
T
Teaching & Education

Graduate Success Stories


  • Graduate stories
There is interesting and important work to be done across all areas of the Department with talented and passionate colleagues who are always willing to share their knowledge and experience.

Elizabeth Ulrick

  • Graduate stories
There is interesting and important work to be done across all areas of the Department with talented and passionate colleagues who are always willing to share their knowledge and experience.

Elizabeth Ulrick

  • Graduate stories

Karen Cifuentes

  • Graduate stories

Karen Cifuentes

  • Graduate stories
There is interesting and important work to be done across all areas of the Department with talented and passionate colleagues who are always willing to share their knowledge and experience.

Elizabeth Ulrick

  • Graduate stories
There is interesting and important work to be done across all areas of the Department with talented and passionate colleagues who are always willing to share their knowledge and experience.

Elizabeth Ulrick

  • Graduate stories

Karen Cifuentes

  • Graduate stories

Karen Cifuentes


Videos


2022 AGGP Super Fair | Department of Social Services

Watch this presentation from the Economist Stream to hear from Department of Social Services representatives about their graduate program.

2022 AGGP Super Fair | Department of Social Services

Watch this presentation from the Economist Stream to hear from Department of Social Services representatives about their graduate program.

Advice


On the job as a chief legal counsel at the Department of Social Services

Janean Richards studied a Masters in Law at ANU and is now a chief legal counsel and group manager corporate services at the Department of Social Services.

On the job as a chief legal counsel at the Department of Social Services

Janean Richards studied a Masters in Law at ANU and is now a chief legal counsel and group manager corporate services at the Department of Social Services.