Employment Programs and pathways

The Victorian Government Graduate Program is a 12-month Victorian Public Service (VPS) wide program managed by the Victorian Public Sector Commission (VPSC).

The aim of the program is to attract, recruit, develop and retain graduates within the VPS. The program looks for graduates who are creative, curious, have a drive to learn and live the shared values of the VPS of integrity, respect and human rights.

Eligibility

To be eligible for selection into the program, graduates need to:

• have completed an undergraduate or postgraduate degree or the same as level 7 and above of the Australian Qualifications Framework
• be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, an Australian permanent resident or have unrestricted working rights for ongoing work
• not have taken a voluntary redundancy from the Victorian public sector in the 3 years before the program start date.

How the program works

Graduates will work in 3 roles across different departments over 12 months in a stream that is tailored to what they studied at university. Graduates select their top 2 department preferences in their application.

Pathways are available for applicants who are an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person or a person with disability.

Being involved in the program means graduates receive;

• An ongoing contract with starting salary of $64,482 (full time equivalent) plus superannuation, with promotion and pay rise to more than $76.000 (full time equivalent) plus superannuation at the end of the 12 months, upon successful completion of the graduate program.
• Personal and professional training, with mentoring from executives
• Flexible working conditions, such as hybrid working. All roles are based in Victoria.
• Access to future career opportunities that are only available to people who work in the Victorian Public Service
• A chance to build networks with like-minded graduates across government.

How to apply

For further information please consult the Victorian Government graduate program webpage.

Tertiary Student Placements

The Department offers students the opportunity to apply the theory and skills they have gained while studying in a professional workplace. This opportunity enriches the student learning experience and increases the number of work ready graduates.

If you have any queries about the student placement program, please email studentplacements@dffh.vic.gov.au.

We offer tertiary student placements in the following areas;  

Child Protection

Being a Child Protection Practitioner means making real change to the lives of others – keeping children safe and families strong. A student placement in Child Protection provides the opportunity to experience firsthand how our dedicated practitioners work with families, children and young people.  You will observe how practitioners assess risk and make decisions based on information gathered. Most students will have the opportunity to attend court and observe the role of a practitioner in this setting. To complete a student placement in Child Protection you must be completing your second last or final year of a recognised social work degree (or similar welfare or behavioural-related degree) or your final year of a recognised Diploma of Community Services, which as at a minimum, a 2-year full-time course or part-time equivalent).

Forensic Disability Services (FDS)

Forensic Disability Services provide a range of services to people with a cognitive disability and history of offending. The aim of the department’s forensic disability service program area is to reduce clients’ risk of reoffending, promote community safety, and increase clients’ adaptive functioning skills to promote independent living and achievement of personal goals. Students seeking to complete a placement in FDS may have the option of various teams including Forensic residential services (secure accommodation to people with an intellectual disability and history of offending behaviour), Forensic Disability Clinical Services (behaviour assessment, treatment and consultation services), Disability Justice Coordination (arranging access to forensic disability related services for individuals to meet their bail conditions) or Forensic Disability Statewide Access Services (entry point for intake and referrals for people seeking access to Forensic Disability Services).

Housing Services

Student placements are available in the Housing Advice and Assistance team or the Tenancy and Property team. Placements in these teams may involve providing information, advice and referrals to clients seeking housing assistance, conducting interview and assessments of clients to assess and access housing needs, receiving and processing new housing applications and transfers and engaging in initiatives aimed at sustaining tenancies including providing support to at risk tenants.

Corporate Services, Statutory Bodies and Administration Agencies

Within the department, we have eight additional divisions outside of Community Operations and Practice Leadership that can support student placements and requests. We also have statutory bodies and administration agencies that could be suitable for a student placement.

You can review our divisions via the Our structure webpage.  

How to apply

Students seeking a placement with DFFH must complete an online application form.

Note: Students must also attach a current resume and a covering letter, which specifies why you are interested in the area/s you have nominated and what you know about the areas you have chosen.

Safety screening requirements

As part of the application process, the student must provide some or all of the following documents:

• A valid police check certificate: All student placements require a National Police check. National Police checks remain valid for 6 months from the date of issue for student placements. Students must start their placement within 6 months of the police check being issued, otherwise a new check will need to be completed.  
• Driver’s license (P-plate minimum): Depending on the area of placement, a driver’s license may be required.  
• Working with Children Check (WWCC): A valid Working with Children Check is required for student placements in Child Protection and Forensic Disability Services. This can be either a volunteer WWCC or an employee WWCC. 
• Photo ID: Further photo ID may be required to be provided, such as a learner’s permit, or tertiary ID card.   
• Statutory Declaration: Students who have lived overseas for 12 months or longer during the past ten years must complete the Statutory declaration for an international police check – Students only (Word).

All documents provided to the department must be:   

• Colour   
• Scanned into a pdf file (do not take a photo of the document)   
• Clear and legible.

Please note that students who are offered a placement must sign and complete the following forms prior to starting your placement:

• Deed of confidentiality (PDF)
• DFFH code of conduct declaration (PDF)
• Pre-existing injury and disease declaration (Word)
• Workplace Adjustments Request Form – Student Placements (Word)

Please complete these forms and email to studentplacements@dffh.vic.gov.au.

Information for Education Providers

Education providers wanting to place students must download the Bulk student placement application spread sheet (xlxs) and email the completed document, along with your student resume and covering letter to studentplacements@dffh.vic.gov.au.
 
Note:  When submitting the documents listed above to studentplacements@dffh.vic.gov.au, you are confirming on behalf of your institution that you:   

• Authorise the practice and suitability of the student for the placement they have requested   
• Will notify the department immediately if the student withdraws from your course or unit, or of any changes in their circumstances or suitability for placement.   

If you require further information about placement details, please email studentplacements@dffh.vic.gov.au.

• Where students apply directly through the student portal and nominate you as the tertiary provider contact, you will receive a system generated email requesting that you are confirming the points above. Please email Student Placements within 2 working days of receiving the email. Applications will not be progressed without this authorisation.    

Applications for the 2025 Child Protection Employment Program have now closed.

Recruitment for the CPEP program opens in June / July each year for the following year’s program.

The Child Protection Employment Program (CPEP) is a paid employment program where you experience what it is like to work in child protection.  

Program participants work in a structured and supportive learning environment alongside experienced practitioners to experience the child protection role.

About Child Protection

The work in child protection is varied. A typical day might involve:

• supervising access visits between children and their families,
• transporting children to services and visits,
• supporting the provision of in-home support to families, and
• documenting case notes under the direction of an experienced practitioner.

About the program

This is a 12-week full-time or 16-week part-time program.  Currently there are two commencement dates each year, January and March.

CPEP/CPP2 Salary: You will be earning a salary equivalent of $60,915 (full-time equivalent) plus superannuation (pro-rata) for the 12 or 16 weeks.

Upon completion of the program and obtaining qualifications, participants may progress into an entry-level qualified Child Protection Practitioner CPP3 level of $76,817 (full -time equivalent).

Program Eligibility

To apply for the program, you will need:

• to have already completed or currently studying a social work, welfare, community, or behavioural qualification/s (or similar)
• to be a recent graduate or be graduating the following year (specific timeframes are communicated when applications open)
• to be available to work 3 to 5 days per week (7 hours, 36 minutes per day) for the duration of the program
• Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa
• a valid, current Australian driver's licence
• to have (or be prepared to obtain) an employee Working with Children Check.

Please note: roles in child protection are classified by the Child Protection Practitioner (CPP) grading system.  The CPEP program is an entry pathway into a CPP3 position, therefore, candidates will need have or be studying a qualification that meets the grade and entry requirements of a CPP3 position as outlined under: Qualifications and requirements on the Child Protection Jobs website.

Opportunities are available across Victoria, in both metropolitan and regional offices. We have offices around the State. 

To check the full list of locations, visit Locations on the Child Protection Jobs website.

Program Benefits

As an employee of the Victorian Government, you will have access to a broad range of benefits. These include access to professional development opportunities through training programs, peer support networks and health initiatives.

Working in child protection, you will have access to a dedicated and free wellbeing and support program. This program is specifically designed to support Child Protection Practitioner’s mental health and wellbeing.

Make the decision to pursue a fulfilling professional career and make a difference in vulnerable children's lives.

The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing has a number of employment programs, internships and mentorships to attract talent and support alternative pathways into employment within the Victorian Public Service.

As part of the application process, employment programs require pre-employment screening. For more information, contact employmentprograms@dffh.vic.gov.au.

Youth Employment Scheme (YES)

The Youth Employment Scheme (YES) provides young people aged 15 to 29 with a 12-month, entry-level opportunity to work in the Victorian Public Service while completing accredited training.

Additionally, there is a YES Disability Stream which helps provide sustainable employment for young people with a disability.

Learn more about the Youth Employment Scheme on the Traineeships for young people webpage.

Career Seekers – Mid-Career and University Pathway

A CareerSeekers internship enables participants to either restart their career and re-establish their professional networks in Australia through the Mid-career pathway or provide work experience to participants undergoing studies in Australia through the University pathway.

The Mid-Career and University pathway are both 12-week paid internships/employment contracts within the VPS2 (or equivalent) salary banding.

For more information, visit the CareerSeekers website.

Digital Jobs

In recognition that the demand for digital skills is growing, the Digital Jobs Program is a large initiative of the Victorian Government, training 5,000 mid-career people in up-to-date digital skills; and then deploying them to business, industry and government via paid work placements that are routinely extended into ongoing roles.

The program attracts people aged 30 years old and above or people with typically at least 10 years’ professional experience in all manner of previous disciplines (e.g. engineers, teachers, accountants, consultants, nurses, retail workers, marketers, customer engagement people, small business owners, IT professionals from other disciplines, and more).

The placement will be 12 weeks paid fixed term contract.

Learn more about the Digital Jobs program on the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions webpage.

PACE Mentorship

Positive Action towards Career Engagement (PACE) is a career coaching program for people with disability to support their confidence in searching and obtaining employment opportunities. DFFH provide mentors through the program to support registered mentees with the Australian Disability Network (ADN).

Learn more about the PACE mentoring program on the Australian Disability Network website.

Stepping Into Internship (Summer/Winter)

The Stepping Into Internships program connects students and recent graduates with a disability with paid internships across a variety of organisations. DFFH works in partnership with the program owner, the Australian Network on Disability (AND), who has been connecting employers and university students and recent graduates with a disability since 2005.

This mutually beneficial work experience program supports student with paid work experience during their summer or winter semester break. The employer gets practical experience and support of working with a person with disability, helping build disability confidence, while the student gets practical experience and confidence in the workplace.

Learn more about the Stepping Into Internship program on the Australian Disability Network website.

Work experience placements

The Department offers work experience placements for Year 9 and Year 10 high school students. Work experience provides high school students with an opportunity to develop skills and knowledge in the public sector and explore career options at the same time.

In a work experience placement, you'll get insights into how the Victorian Government works, as well as learning about the day-to-day operations of a particular business area.

For more information, contact employmentprograms@dffh.vic.gov.au

Inclusion Scholarships for Social Work Placements 

The department is offering Inclusion Scholarships for Social Work Placements in 2024 and 2025. These scholarships will support more Bachelor and Master of Social Work students to finish their degrees and start their careers, by helping reduce the financial burden of placements. Eligible students can apply for $7,500 to help them complete their placement. More information is available on the Inclusion Scholarships website.