CPActive Information Session for the NSW Government Graduate Program- the details you need for your application
CPActive proudly presented the NSW Government Graduate Program Information Session on Tuesday 6th August, in collaboration with the NSW Public Service.
Hosted by CPActive Steering Committee member, Aman Gopalani, the event included an address by Deputy Commissioner of the NSW Public Service Chris Lamb, a full presentation on the graduate program and a Q&A with members of the NSW Public Service team.
Watch the full event recording here.
For more information to assist you with your NSW Government Graduate Program application, the team at NSW Public Service have created a detailed information pack below.
CPActive will continue to work with NSW Government to create more inclusive school to work pathways.
Good luck with your application!
Yours in Action
CPActive
One choice, endless opportunities.
Thank you for attending the CPActive Information Session for the NSW Government Graduate Program.
We look forward to receiving your application.
Application process
Applications close on Wednesday 14th August.
See our tips for applicants guide to help you understand the application process and for guidance on navigating each stage.
Application adjustments are available
The Graduate Program has partnered with Peter Berry Consulting (PBC) to provide confidential application adjustments. PBC will proactively contact candidates who indicate in their application that they may require an adjustment. If you note this on your application, they will provide a detailed outline of the application process, and the steps involved, and invite you to get in touch to discuss adjustments.
We encourage you to request adjustments at any or all stages of the recruitment process. Some examples of adjustments include:
- Providing information in screen reader compatible formats
- Providing people with vision impairment a phone assessment instead of an online assessment
- Providing untimed assessments when required
- Longer break times between activities or extra reading time
Please contact Akanksha Joshi at PBC by email adjustments@peterberry.com.au.
We also have more information for candidates with disability on our website.
Stream
Refer to the overviews for each stream to help you decide which stream best suits you. For the occupation-specific streams, we have information on the disciplines or degrees we are looking for.
Roles available
We have close to 200 roles available in the 2025 Graduate Program. We cannot provide information about specific roles or agencies as these may vary.
You can find out more information about the types of roles available by reviewing the program information and role description for each stream: https://iworkfor.nsw.gov.au/about-the-graduate-program.
While we may have a role that aligns directly with your degree, we ask our graduates to be open to trying different things in each placement.
Placements and work locations
You’ll do three six-month placements in two different agencies. The exception is social work which has two nine-month placements in the Department of Communities and Justice.
Placements are stream specific. There are no cross-stream opportunities.
A graduate’s work location region is the same for all placements. If you choose Sydney and surrounds you will be placed in the same region for all placements. This does not mean your placement will be in the same town or city. For example, if your first placement is in Parramatta your second placement could be in North Sydney.
Working at the NSW Government
You’ll find the NSW Government provides a flexible and supportive workplace culture.
As a person with disability, you can request that workplace adjustments are made to ensure you are able to participate in the workplace on an equal basis. Workplace adjustments will be different for everyone, but some examples include:
- using assistive technology
- requesting changes to your physical workspace
- modifying the way you work or communicate with others.
Where different ways of working are required, such as changing work hours or locations, these can usually be managed under flexible working policies. Flexible work practices may vary between agencies and departments, but flexible work practices can include varying your start and finish times and accruing flex time.
Flexible work can also include Hybrid work, allowing you to work from home in line with your agency’s flexible work policies.
Most roles in government have a 35-hour work week, which in combination with flexible work practices helps you to maintain work-life balance.
The NSW Government has a supportive and inclusive culture, and that workplace adjustments are available and will be tailored to your individual needs at the time of onboarding with your new agency.
Program support
You’ll have a placement manager, mentor, and executive sponsor as well as structured learning and opportunities to engage in networking events.
Each NSW Government agency has their own employee assistance program to provide free counselling and support to employees.
Education eligibility
You will need to demonstrate that you have fully completed an eligible degree or will complete an eligible degree between 1 June 2022 and 31 December 2024.
Eligible degrees are those rated by the Australian Qualifications Framework as being level 7 and above (Bachelor Degree, Undergraduate Certificate, Bachelor Honours Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Master’s Degree, Doctoral Degree).
Eligibility – other
You need to meet any essential requirements set out in the role description for the stream you apply for. Please contact the Graduate Program team to discuss any concerns you may have about meeting essential requirements.
We accept applications from students from outside of NSW. You must be willing to live in NSW for the duration of the Program. Any relocation expenses are solely the responsibility of the graduate.
There is no age limit for applying for the Graduate Program.
Legal Stream – Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice
Legal stream graduates must be willing to study a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (GDLP) during the program. If you have started studying a GDLP, you are ineligible for the legal stream.
The responsibility for paying for PLT is split between the agency and the graduate. Graduates pay up to $4,000 with FEE-HELP options available.
Contact us
For any questions about the Program or working with the NSW Government, please contact us
Email: nswgraduateprogram@psc.nsw.gov.au
For any questions about application adjustments, please contact PBC