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CAREER PROFILES
CAREERS IN GOVERNMENT
It’s the job of the public service to implement the policies of government, and provide information and services to support policy decisions. The Australian system of government is based on the British idea of a politically neutral, impartial public service serving the government of the day.
In recent times, the public service has undergone significant cultural changes, with a shift towards a more corporate model of ‘best practice’, emphasising cost-effectiveness and accountability. Outsourcing of work previously undertaken by government employees is becoming more common. As a result of this trend, some public servants move into consultancy after gaining experience in a particular department or field.
The work...
Occupations within government are diverse. Policy and administrative pathways are obviously common, but there are also many other areas of work within the distinct portfolio areas and at the different levels of government.
In Australia, different portfolios of responsibility are attached to different levels of government – federal, state and local – although there is often overlap/crossover.
Government is a high employer of graduates, recruiting on average 14% of all graduates in Australia. A high proportion (35%+) of public servants are degree holders.
Contrary to popular opinion, government employs a wide range of professionals, not just administrators. Accountants, agricultural scientists, economists, engineers, geologists, lawyers, doctors, nurses and librarians are just some of the many occupational roles within contemporary government organisations. Most government graduate recruitment programs actively seek graduates from a range of disciplines.
What you need...
The requirements vary considerably depending on the department and the role. Most agencies recruit widely however, so no matter what your degree you are likely to be able to find an area of government which employs graduates from that discipline. Key desirable skills for most graduate positions are: communication; cultural sensitivity; organisation; flexibility; and resourcefulness. There are likely to be excellent (and sometimes challenging) opportunities to travel and live overseas.
Money matters...
Starting salaries vary depending on the role and area of government graduates are employed in. Generally, there are good possibilities for internal advancement and job change, as the public sector is large and skills and knowledge at one level or area of government can often transfer well to other areas within the sector. Starting salaries are fairly comparable between the different levels of government. Half of all bachelor graduates employed full-time in the federal government in 2008 (DEWR) earned a starting salary of $45,000-$55,000. The equivalent ranges for state government and local government are $42,600-$52,100 and $42,000-$52,000 respectively. With experience and a demonstrated track record, salaries of $85,000 or more are not uncommon.
The lifestyle factor...
Despite the diversity of roles and services provided by numerous government departments, working conditions across the different branches of public service, at both the federal and state level, are very similar.
Working conditions are usually very good. Working environments are generally well equipped and ‘user friendly’, and the pay is reasonably competitive. Long hours and unpaid overtime are not common except at the upper echelons (in Australia only 16% of government employees work more than a 45-hour week, in contrast to 29% of all workers). Tenure and permanency arrangements are quite generous, and the risk of sudden retrenchment is low. Superannuation packages are usually generous. In addition, there are generally programs in place to ensure that equal opportunity employment policies are practised.
Working for the federal government in Australia may well involve moving to Canberra, as the majority of federal public service jobs are based in the ACT.
Public sector employment usually offers a variety of opportunities to further your education. Management training in general is usually regarded as a high priority within the public sector, with specific emphasis on project management, personnel management, and business and strategic planning.
Snapshot...
Employment has grown strongly in government in recent years. Most of the growth has been in government administration and defence (77,100) according to Australian Jobs 2008 (DEWR) Employment opportunities for new graduates are fairly good. While overall levels of employment in government have been falling, the positions that are being abolished are usually lower-level positions.
The statistics:
More than 38% of people working in government or defence have a bachelor degree or higher qualification, but a similar number do not hold post-school qualifications – making the work environment a diverse one.
The workforce is relatively old, with 46% of workers aged 45 years or older. With an increasing number of the baby boomer generation entering retirement, this trend will change and will open up opportunities for graduates.
Follow the link to explore job opportunities in the Australian Public Service.
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