Graduate recruitment process

Key dates in the application and assessment process

• March to April: Applications open in early March, with 4 weeks to complete an online application form and provide your resume and academic transcript.
• April: First phase of assessment. This usually includes an online cognitive, behavioural and job-focused assessment.
• May: Candidate information session.
• June: Final phase of assessment. This is a virtual assessment centre that includes, a written task, interview and group activity.
• July: Offers are made. You may be offered a place in the PM&C Graduate Program or an alternate APS 3 role within the department.
• August to December: Networking commences to connect you with your peers.
• December to January: Relocation. For those moving to Canberra, we will support you in the relocation process from start to finish. You will receive regular updates prior to your commencement.
• February: Welcome, induction and commencement!

More information about our recruitment and assessment process

Our mission is to create an assessment process that is considerate of your time while providing us a holistic picture of your skills, potential and fit for our department. We want to ensure we have the right information to make an informed decision, which is why we will ask you to complete a suite of online assessments up front. This gives everyone equal and multiple opportunities to demonstrate their abilities.

Our online assessments are designed to capture a number of capabilities including:

• your logical and verbal reasoning skills
• your work preferences, motivation and;
• your judgement, problem solving skills and willingness to learn.

If you are invited to attend our assessment centre, you will undertake a written exercise, a group activity and a five question interview.

These assessments are designed for you demonstrate your ability to analyse and structure information, work collaboratively and your commitment to diversity. Importantly, we are also looking at your potential. This can include your potential for effective stakeholder management, ability to prioritise, how open-minded you are and your level of adaptability. We will provide you with feedback following the assessment centre so you can understand where you excelled and areas for future consideration.

Recruitment and assessment processes can feel overwhelming and we understand that. We want to ensure you perform at your best and strive to create environments that are inclusive, comfortable and assessable. Our process will provide opportunities for practice environments and information sessions.  We can also provide reasonable adjustments for those who may need extra support.  We encourage you to read the information below on reasonable adjustments, and contact entrylevelprograms@pmc.gov.au to see where we can support you.

Affirmative Measures

We are committed to making the Graduate Program accessible to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders and people with disability through the Affirmative Measure process. Processes like this help address the under-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and people with disability in the Australian Public Service (APS).

While merit remains the basis for selection, engagement and promotion, the aim of this process is to increase the representation of Indigenous Australians and people living with disability in PM&C and the APS.

Measures for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander graduates

If you are an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander graduate, we welcome you to apply through our affirmative measures process.

More information on Affirmative Measures Indigenous can be found on the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) website.

Measures for graduates with disability

If you are a graduate with disability, we welcome you to apply for our Graduate Program through our affirmative measures process.

Our assessment process will be tailored to meet your reasonable adjustments. We encourage you to contact us to discuss how we can support you in the process.

More information on Affirmative Measures Disability can be found on the APSC website.

RecruitAbility scheme

PM&C merit based recruitment processes are advertised under the RecruitAbility scheme. The RecruitAbility Scheme aims to support the increased representation of people with disability in the APS, improve confidence of people with disability to work in the APS and disability confidence of hiring managers.

The RecruitAbility scheme provides for progression of candidates who identify as living with disability through the initial application stage to the next stage of a selection process (i.e. through initial shortlisting) if they have been assessed as meeting the minimum requirements of the job. Following initial shortlisting, the recruitment process proceeds as usual.

More information on RecruitAbility can be found on the APSC website.

Reasonable adjustments for assessments

Our commitment to inclusion and diversity reflects the importance that we place in our people and creating a workplace culture where each and every one of us is valued and respected for our contribution. This means ensuring our recruitment processes and assessments are safe, accessible, inclusive, and held in an environment where you can perform at your best. We want to know how we can ensure your participation in our processes meets your needs, but sometimes we don’t always know how to assist or what is helpful for you. We also understand that if is this is the first time you have participated in these recruitment processes, you may not be aware of the assistance or adjustments you require.

To ensure you can equitably and fully participate in recruitment processes, you can seek reasonable adjustments. That is, assistance or adjustments that are both reasonable and reasonably practicable, to remove barriers and make the process accessible. Reasonable adjustments may be applied at any stage of the recruitment process. Reasonable adjustments may be required for any number of health or personal circumstances, and has particular relevance for people with disability. Some examples of when reasonable adjustment may be applied include, but are not limited to candidates who:

• have specific access or communication requirements
• are experiencing or recovering from injury or illness
• are victims of family or domestic violence.

Below is some information on platform accessibility, our assessments, and some past adjustments we have applied to support other candidates. If you require an adjustment or would like to discuss your needs to see what can be put in place, we encourage you to reach out and contact our team at entrylevelprogrammes@pmc.gov.au. All requests will be managed sensitively and confidentially.

Platform accessibility

Our platform includes an accessibility assistive toolbar for candidates (known as ReciteMe). The accessibility functionality within the platform enables you to be self-sufficient in adapting the text size, text colour, font, background colours and ability to add rulers. The ReciteMe assistive technology toolbar ensures digital inclusivity by allowing you to customise the content so that you can consume it in a way that works best for them. We are also introducing a comprehensive range of functionality and usability accessibility testing which includes automated, manual, screen reader testing as well as keyboard navigation, colour contrast and visual controls and assistive technologies. In addition, we are currently focused on achieving full WCAG 2.2 AA compliance.

The Candidate Preparation Hub is available 24/7. This allows you to complete multiple practice tests, ensuring you feel comfortable with the platform and environment before commencing your assessments.

Our assessment process

The application and assessment process of applying for the Graduate Program will include the following:

• Submission of an online application, including your resume with referee details, 200 word statement of your motivation to work at PM&C and your academic transcript
• Online cognitive, behavioural and situational judgment testing
• Assessment centre consisting of a:
  • Interview
  • Written activity
  • Group task

Reasonable adjustments

Below are some examples of past adjustments requested during the assessment process.