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NSW Government

3.9
  • > 100,000 employees

NSW Government Graduate Programs & Internships

  • Government & Public Service

Working for NSW is more than just a job. A career in NSW Government is for people who want to make a tangible and lasting difference in our community.

As Australia’s largest employer, NSW Government includes many departments and agencies who work together to develop policy and deliver important services such as health, education, housing, justice, transport and infrastructure across our state.

As a proud employer who values diversity, NSW Government is committed to reflecting the community we serve by creating an inclusive workplace for all. Whether you are delivering services or designing policies, there is a place for everyone, inclusive of gender, race, age, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, and personal commitments.

We are looking for talented and passionate graduates to build on this work and become leaders of tomorrow. In our program, graduates complete three unique rotations based on their functional areas of interest and desired location. Our graduates also have access to unique networking and development opportunities.

About the Program

The NSW Government Graduate Program gives graduates an opportunity to shape and change the future of NSW. The program offers a primary stream, which is open to all degrees and disciplines, and degree-specific streams designed for graduates looking to transition into specific occupations.

With three six-month rotations across government agencies, the 18-month program offers an incredibly diverse experience that allows you to explore opportunities and build your own career in the primary stream, or work towards a specific career path in the degree-specific streams.

From day one, you will play an integral role in exciting and important projects, allowing you to build a strong foundation of skills for your career. You will also have a personal mentor and executive sponsor, and many opportunities to engage with your cohort and develop your professional network. Graduates who successfully complete the program are offered a permanent position with the NSW Government.

To learn more, please visit our website.

About the Program Streams

Primary Stream

Are you interested in gaining broad experience across a range of roles in NSW Government?

Graduates in the primary stream can work in a range of areas, from analytics or human resources to policy and projects, and more. When applying to the primary stream, you can nominate functional areas of interest to try roles in.

The primary stream is open to all university degrees.

In the primary stream, you’ll complete learning and development modules, which will help to ease your transition from university to work life and provide foundational government knowledge.

Legal Stream

Are you interested in working on legislative instruments, learning about criminal prosecution, or conducting reviews of Policies and Acts?

If you want to work as a lawyer in NSW Government, the legal stream offers you experience such as litigation, providing legal advice and developing policy.

In the legal stream, you will study towards a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, so you can be admitted as a solicitor in NSW. To be eligible for this stream, you will have recently completed a law degree (in the last two years) and be willing to study towards a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice.

Digital Stream

Are you interested in harnessing emerging technology such as virtual reality, blockchain and sensors to develop innovative and citizen-centric digital solutions?

In the digital stream, you'll play a part in defining how the people of NSW interact with digital government services. From identifying cyber security risks to designing and delivering products and services, you will work across critical areas such as health, housing, customer service and transport.

In the digital stream, you'll receive tailored development which includes targeted courses that are aligned to your career aspirations. You will also attend workshops with your cohort so that you have a foundational knowledge of government and how government works.

Engineering Stream 

Are you interested in applying your knowledge of science and mathematics to find effective solutions to problems?

The engineering stream will provide you with invaluable experience in analysing and addressing problems and coming up with practical ways to change things so they perform better. You will gain exposure and contribute to critical high-profile initiatives that impact the citizens of NSW. You could be working on a wide range of different projects, from health, and infrastructure, to transport.

In the engineering stream, you’ll receive tailored development from Engineers Australia which will focus on your personal development, project management, and professional skills.

Social Work Stream

Are you interested in working with children, young people and their families and carers to bring about support, protection, and safety?

In the social workstream, you’ll play a part in transforming the lives of vulnerable children. You’ll apply your knowledge and skills to improve the lives of children, adults, families, and communities who often experience disadvantages and live in varied and challenging circumstances. The social workstream provides a pathway to becoming a caseworker.

In the social workstream, you will learn about how child protection works across systems, policies and practices. You will also complete tailored caseworker development training and attend workshops with your cohort so that you have a foundational knowledge of government and how government works. You will undertake group supervision so you can make the best possible decisions about children and their families.

Key Dates

Take note of these key dates for the 2025 NSW Government Graduate Program:

  • Applications Open: 17 July 2024
  • Applications Close: 14 August 2024

Recruitment Process

There are five stages to the recruitment process, which you can read all about on our website 

Remuneration & Career Growth

Graduates receive a competitive remuneration package of approximately $84,351. This includes a salary of $75,992, employer’s contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading. 

 

Graduate Reviews

Overall Score
3.9
Overall score based on 33 reviews
They Score Best in…
8.5
Diversity
8.5
Office Work Environment
9.1
Work Hours
8.5
Diversity
8.5
Office Work Environment
9.1
Work Hours
What Graduates Say About Them
  • The culture and team, flexible working hours, supportive team culture and very open and transparent communications
  • The graduate program is incredibly progressive and comprehensive. We study while in the program, we are treated like gold and we get very good real-world experience.
  • The people I work with, the workplace culture, the encouragement to learn and grow, the flexibility and work-life balance.
  • Flexibility of location and hours worked Existence of a graduate program makes it easier to meet others in a similar situation Enough time to network and pursue interests beyond everyday work tasks
  • The feeling that I am making a positive difference to the NSW public. Being government, the main focus is purely on helping the NSW public, rather than a mix of helping the public and profit. The flexibility in working (both with remote, and flex hours) is also a nice touch.
  • Stale office work environment. Sometimes a change in the office might be nice, new/more plants that are real would be great for mental mindset.
  • It can be hard to learn quickly if you happen to be in a team that primarily works remotely.
  • Size of workforce is a bit overwhelming.
  • The broad pitfalls of the public service - the lethargy with which large projects seem to move, and the complexity of much of the organisation (though this is true of any major organisation).
  • The lack of work conducted outside of desk work.

Jobs & Opportunities

Locations With Jobs & Opportunities
  • Sydney
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
P
Property & Built Environment
S
Sciences
T
Teaching & Education
Current Jobs & Opportunities

Graduate Job

Sydney
Are you interested in gaining broad experience across a range of roles in NSW Government?
Applications Close
14 Aug 2024
Start Date
5 Feb 2025
Salary
AUD 74,000 - 82,000 / Year

Videos


David, Legal Stream

NSW Government Graduate Program graduate David shares his experience of the Legal Stream. To find out more about the Graduate Program, visit iworkfor.nsw.gov.au/graduate-program

Chloe, Social Work Stream

NSW Government Graduate Program graduate Chloe shares his experience of the Social Work Stream. To find out more about the Graduate Program, visit iworkfor.nsw.gov.au/graduate-program

David, Legal Stream

NSW Government Graduate Program graduate David shares his experience of the Legal Stream. To find out more about the Graduate Program, visit iworkfor.nsw.gov.au/graduate-program

Chloe, Social Work Stream

NSW Government Graduate Program graduate Chloe shares his experience of the Social Work Stream. To find out more about the Graduate Program, visit iworkfor.nsw.gov.au/graduate-program