Graduate Recruitment
Graduate recruitment refers to opportunities for students in their final year or those who have already graduated. Graduate programs provide you with an opportunity to gain experience in many areas of the organisation. These programs also allow you and the employer to identify which section of the organisaton you are best suited to, at the commencement of your career. Many large corporations and government departments offer Graduate Programs. Recruitment for many programs starts 12 months before the program begins. That means, if you want to commence in a graduate program after you finish your degree, you need to be applying for graduate programs during your final year of studies.
The majority of graduate recruitment occurs during the first half of the year, that is, February – May, with many of the application dates closing by April. There are some companies that recruit at other times and some even have rolling recruitment where they recruit throughout the year. However, for the majority of organisations, especially the Australian Public Service, recruitment for graduate programs occurs during the first half of the year.
So, if you want to commence in a graduate program upon completion of your degree, you need to be applying for graduate programs at the beginning of the year during your final year of studies.
To assist students the Careers Service invites employers on campus to present on their Graduate Program as well as other career opportunities within their organisation. They are focused on final year students who are able to join their Graduate Program at the beginning of the following year. If you are planning to graduate from your degree at the end of the year, we strongly recommend you attend these presentations. For information on presentation dates please see our Employer Visits page.
Canberra’s Graduate Job Fair, Tertiary to Work is held every year. For more information on the March 2012 fair go to our Tertiary to Work page.
Don’t Forget: The application process for Graduate Programs often takes up to 9 months so don't wait until the end of the year to look for work in the following year!
Other resources are but a click away! Have a look at the Careers Service listing of Graduate/Professional Jobs listed under Employment Opportunities within our website.
You could also try Graduate Opportunities for the latest, most comprehensive information on graduate jobs in Australasia. Also visit the Graduate Careers Australia website which aims to link employers with graduating students. Unigrad also offers information on graduate opportunities. Another option is GradConnection a specialist graduate recruitment agency in Australia and New Zealand.
If you would like to enter the Australian Public Service, have a look at their factsheets on how to apply for APS jobs.
Don't miss out!
Disclaimer
The Careers Service acts as a free-of-charge job posting service only and makes no recommendations regarding potential employers or student employees. All issues concerning the job postings are required to be handled directly between the student and the employer. The Careers Service does not perform background checks on students applying for jobs, and we do not research the integrity of each employing organisation or individual person who lists a job with the University.
The information contained in the employment advertisement has been provided by the employer and the University does not guarantee, or give any advice or recommendation concerning, the accuracy of the information contained therein. Nor does the University accept any responsibility for any liability which may arise, in any way, from any errors or omissions therein. In particular, the University is not responsible for safety, wages, working conditions or any other aspect of off campus employment. The University also does not accept any responsibility to the employer for any liability that may arise from the employer’s decision to engage the student.
Employers and students must rely on their own enquiries including performing their own due diligence when offering, applying for or accepting off campus employment including, for example, by requesting from each other references or any additional information needed to establish conditions, qualifications and credentials so as to ensure an overall fit between employer and applicant.