Frequently asked questions
Applications for the 2012 Attorney-General's Department Graduate Program are open from 21 April to 2 June 2011. To apply, please go to the Department's Job Office.
- How are the placements within each rotation decided?
- What training is offered?
- Do you support the completion of a practicing certificate?
- If I don't live in Canberra, is relocation assistance available?
- I graduated a while ago, am I eligible for the Graduate Program?
- Do you have age limits for applicants?
- I'm not an Australian citizen yet but will be soon. Can I apply?
- What is psychometric testing?
- What will the Assessment Centre involve?
- What does a security clearance involve?
- What does a medical clearance involve?
The Program
How are the placements within each rotation decided?
Graduate placements for rotations are decided according to three priorities (in this order):
- business needs
- required development, and
- graduate preference.
Business needs relates to the workforce planning (staffing) needs of a particular Branch or Section and the capacity of the Branch or Section to provide meaningful work and supervision.
Required development relates to exposing you to a range of work types such as policy development, program management or provision of advice to the Department's clients. You could find yourself working in a range of areas such as: international prisoner exchange, indigenous law and justice, national security and counter terrorism, identity security, disaster management, telecommunications and surveillance law, money laundering, inter country adoption, family law, illicit drugs, and international assistance and treaties.
Graduate Preference relates to your indications of preferred fields or more importantly, your development needs.Training
What training is offered?
You will participate in a range of learning and development opportunities including specific activities for graduates. These include:
- project management
- writing skills
- managing your career
- resilience
- developing policy
- navigating government
- negotiation, influencing and conflict management skills; and much more!
Do you support the completion of a practising certificate?
Each year the Attorney-General’s Department Graduate Program is reviewed. The training schedule for the 2012 Program is also reviewed each year. Further information in about the review of the 2012 Program training schedule will be available to successful candidates.
Relocation
If I don't live in Canberra, is relocation assistance available?
Yes. It includes up to three weeks short-term accommodation on arrival in Canberra, associated travel costs to relocate to Canberra and furniture removal. Further details will be provided to successful candidates.
Eligibility
I graduated a while ago, am I eligible for the Graduate Program?
Yes. To satisfy the eligibility requirements you must have completed your last course of tertiary study not longer than five years before you start the Graduate Program in February 2012.
Do you have age limits for applicants?
No. All graduates are selected on their capabilities and demonstrated competence against the selection criteria.
I'm not an Australian citizen yet but will be soon. Can I apply?
If you are currently a permanent resident, you will need to provide evidence of your citizenship three months before commencement on the Program.
Selection process and clearance
What is psychometric testing?
Designed by psychologists, psychometric assessments are used to assess a candidate's abilities, personality, motivations, values and interests under standardised conditions in line with a particular role.
What will the Assessment Centre involve?
The Assessment Centre generally runs for a full day and consists of a variety of activities and exercises that assess the applicant's competency levels against set criteria. During the assessment centre you will be assessed for suitability to work within the Attorney General's Department.
What does a security clearance involve?
It is a condition of employment that you obtain and maintain a security clearance. You will be asked to provide comprehensive information about yourself and your dependants and to give the Department the right to check any information which you provide with relevant authorities such as the Australian Federal Police and financial institutions. Only the candidates who accept a position on the Program undergo a security clearance.
What does a medical clearance involve?
A Commonwealth medical clearance is a standard condition of employment in the Australian Public Service. 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.