Graduate programs explained

If you have spent any time on a university careers website, you will have seen the phrase "graduate program" again and again. Banks, consulting firms, engineering companies, government departments, retailers, technology businesses and many others run structured programs for people who have recently finished a degree or other qualification. They can be a fantastic way to start a career. They are also competitive, recruit early and are not the only way in.

This guide explains what graduate programs usually involve, how they differ from ordinary entry-level jobs, how recruitment tends to work and how to decide whether to focus on them. Every program is different, so treat this as a general overview and always read the employer's own information.

What a graduate program usually involves

A graduate program is a structured way for an organisation to hire and develop people at the start of their careers. While the details vary, many programs share some features:

• A fixed intake. Graduates often start together on a set date, rather than being hired one at a time as vacancies arise.
• A cohort. You join a group of other graduates, which gives you a ready-made peer network for support and friendship.
• Formal training. Programs typically include workshops, courses or study support, sometimes leading to a professional qualification.
• Rotations. Some programs move you between teams or locations every few months, so you can see different parts of the organisation before settling into a role.
• Support. Many programs assign a buddy, mentor or program coordinator, and include regular check-ins.
• A defined length. Programs often run for a set period, after which you move into an ongoing role.

Importantly, a graduate program is still a job. You are normally an employee from your first day, with pay and conditions governed by your contract and any applicable award or agreement, and the same workplace rights as any other employee.

How programs differ from entry-level jobs

An entry-level job is an ordinary vacancy suited to someone early in their career. It is advertised when the organisation needs someone, and you usually start in one team doing one role. You may get on-the-job training rather than a formal program, and there may be no other graduates starting at the same time.

Neither route is automatically better. Programs offer structure, a peer group and exposure to different areas. Entry-level roles can give you real responsibility quickly, more flexibility about start dates and access to employers that do not run programs at all, including many small and medium businesses. Many successful careers begin in roles that were never labelled "graduate".

Who runs graduate programs

Programs are most common in larger organisations that hire several graduates each year. You will find them across:

• government, at federal, state and local levels, often including programs for specific professions;
• professional services, such as accounting, law, consulting and engineering firms;
• finance and insurance;
• technology, telecommunications and energy;
• retail, logistics and manufacturing;
• health and community services, including some hospital and allied health programs;
• not-for-profits and peak bodies, where programs exist but are less common.

The Australian Public Service Commission and individual agencies publish information about public service entry pathways, and state and territory governments run their own programs. Check official websites for current details.

How recruitment usually works

Recruitment for large programs often runs in stages over several weeks or months. A typical sequence might look like this:

1. Online application. Your personal details, academic results, a résumé and sometimes written answers to questions.
2. Online testing. Aptitude, reasoning or situational judgement tests, or a game-based assessment.
3. Video interview. Often recorded, where you answer questions on camera without a live interviewer.
4. Interview or assessment centre. A live interview, group activities, a presentation or case study, sometimes all on one day.
5. Offer. Successful candidates receive an offer, often well before the start date.

Not every employer uses every stage, and smaller programs may simply involve an application and an interview. Our guides on online tests and video interviews and interviews and assessment centres explain how to prepare.

Timing is everything

Many larger employers recruit for their programs well ahead of the start date, so the application window may fall during your penultimate or final year of study. Closing dates are firm, and applications are sometimes reviewed in the order they arrive. If you only start looking after you have finished your final exams, you may find that some programs for the coming year have already closed.

That is not a disaster, because many employers run more than one round, some programs recruit later in the year and entry-level roles appear all the time. But if programs interest you, start researching early. Make a list of employers, note when they usually open applications, sign up for alerts and use a planner to work back from closing dates.

Eligibility rules

Read the eligibility section of every listing carefully. Common requirements include:

• Qualification. Completing a particular type of qualification, sometimes in a specific discipline, by a certain date.
• Timing. Having finished your qualification within a certain period before the program starts, although some programs have no limit.
• Work rights. Many programs require Australian citizenship or permanent residency; some accept other visa holders. Government programs often require citizenship and may need a security clearance.
• Location. Being willing to work in particular cities or regions, or to relocate for rotations.

If you are unsure whether you are eligible, contact the employer before you apply.

Is a graduate program right for you?

Ask yourself a few questions:

• Do you want structure? If you like clear expectations, formal training and a peer group, a program may suit you.
• Do you know your field? Rotations can help if you are unsure which area interests you most, while a direct role suits people with a clear direction.
• Can you plan ahead? Programs require applications months before you start.
• Are you flexible about location? Some programs place graduates where they are needed.
• What matters most to you? Consider the organisation's work, values, culture and the kind of work you would actually do, not just the name on the door.

It is perfectly reasonable to apply for a few carefully chosen programs while also applying for entry-level roles.

Researching programs

Before applying, find out as much as you can. Read the employer's careers pages, but also look at what the organisation actually does: its annual report, recent news and the teams graduates join. Attend careers fairs, employer presentations and information sessions, where you can ask current graduates about their experience. Ask your careers service whether alumni from your course have joined the program and might be willing to chat.

Useful questions to ask include: what does a typical day look like? How are rotations decided? What training is provided? What happens at the end of the program? What support is available if you are struggling? How flexible are working arrangements?

If you don't get in

Programs attract many applicants for a limited number of places, so rejection is common, even for excellent candidates. If you are unsuccessful, ask whether feedback is available, reflect on which stage you reached and keep applying elsewhere. Many people who miss out on a program find a great entry-level role, and some reapply to a program the following year with more experience behind them.

Key points

• Graduate programs are structured intakes with training, a cohort and sometimes rotations.
• They are one route into a career, not the only one; entry-level roles are just as valid.
• Many recruit well ahead of the start date, so research early and track deadlines.
• Read eligibility rules carefully, especially around work rights and timing.
• Choose programs for the work and culture, not just the employer's name.