Department of Veterans' Affairs Government Graduate Jobs

Department of Veteran Affairs (Australia)

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) is dedicated in working towards the mission to support those who serve or have served in defence of our nation and to commemorate their service and sacrifice.

DVA provides support and information for:

veterans and their dependants
Australian Defence Force personnel
war widows/widowers
members of the Australian Federal Police, and
students, teachers and historians.

The services we carry out include:

pensions and compensation
health care
rehabilitation
counselling services
help for servicemen and women returning to civilian life
commemorative and community grants
home care assistance
subsidised loans for housing and other housing-related benefits
commemorative activities, and
historical information.

Our commemorations program promotes understanding of Australia’s wartime history and the significance of national events such as Anzac Day, Remembrance Day and Vietnam Veterans’ Day.

The Graduate Program

The DVA graduate program is a structured 11 month development program, which entails three work placements. The DVA graduate program is designed to give you exposure to the broad range of important work that DVA undertakes.

DVA is commited in ensuring that your job will help you in the long run, thus tailoring the program to help you propel into a successful career within the Australian Public Service.

Benefits of the graduate program

DVA provides the following opportunities to help you strengthen your skills attained at university, whilst providing you with new experiences and learning curves:

a starting salary of $56,059 with 15.4% superannuation contribution
financial assistance with relocation of graduates
participation in an Australian award winning graduate development program leading to a Diploma of Government qualification
a well established buddy system
a mentoring system by highly trained supervisors
a unique opportunity exists for selected graduates to work in the Minister’s Office at the Australian Parliament House
travel to work in a state office for a week
involvement in social events, including the organising of the annual spring ball and trivia night
the opportunity to apply to assist in organising Anzac events in Turkey, France and domestically
on successful completion of the graduate program, participants are appointed ongoing permanent APS4 positions with DVA

Other benefits

DVA believes in work life balance and in supporting employees in all ways by providing the following benefits:

flexible work arrangements including ‘flex time’
four weeks recreation leave
18 days personal leave
salary sacrifice arrangements
healthy lifestyle allowances
social sport competitions
Employee assistance programs such as counselling etc.
DVA offers employees generous study assistance (reimbursement up to $3000 p.a ) and study leave should they desire to further their education

Graduate Profiles

Natalie Jurkovic

natalie

University: University of Melbourne
Degree: Bachelor Degree in Arts (Hons in Politics and Spanish)
Current position at DVA: Project Officer

What was the most surprising thing you learned about the department during your grad year?

I have definitely been surprised with the level of development, support and career guidance I have received as a graduate. DVA has far surpassed my expectations in terms of the opportunities and investment they make in the graduate program. Furthermore, I am constantly surprised and impressed at the variety and extent of services and support that DVA provides for veterans and war widows.

Shane Haiduk

shane

University: University of Newcastle
Degree: Bachelor of Business
Current position at DVA: Public Affairs Officer

Briefly describe your favourite work placement and what you achieved during the placement.

Working in the Ministers Office was an experience I will never forget. Each day I felt as though I learnt something new about the Department and the political environment. It was a unique feeling, as I was contributing towards the daily runnings of a Ministers Office, and even though I was relatively inexperienced as a graduate my skills were needed and relied upon.

I was continually facing new challenges or being exposed to different situations on a regular basis. Whether it be to arrange a brief for an event that the Minister was attending, or helping constituents out with their enquiries, and the many jobs in-between.

Applying for the 2013 DVA graduate program

Who we are looking for

DVA is looking for graduates from all disciplines who have an interest in the variety of work the Department does and take pride in serving Australia’s veterans by contributing towards real work that makes a difference. This means whether you’ve studied pyschology, history, IT, health, or business we have sections of the Department who want your skills.