Formal and informal inductions are provided to all new employees to ensure you will feel welcome, know your way around and have the information and guidance you need to commence working with us.

We recognise that our people managers have the greatest influence and impact on employee engagement, effort, conduct and performance. That’s why we provide our people managers with tool kits, training opportunities and information to help them develop the skills, confidence and practices to guide and empower their teams to perform at their best.

Our managers and people leaders have unlimited access to free professional coaching and advice through our Employee Wellbeing and Support Program, to assist with people management issues and develop leadership competencies.

We support and encourage our people to achieve their work and career objectives through clearly defined roles, development opportunities and performance targets, as part of our annual performance and development planning process.

Several times a year you will meet formally with your manager to discuss how you're both performing. This process includes planning and goal-setting, a mid-year review and formal feedback and an annual review and pay outcome recommendation.

Being coached or mentored can help you continually improve your performance. We provide information, tools, resources and training on both coaching and mentoring to help our people perform at their best.

Coaching is usually short-term and focuses on task and performance. Mentoring is a longer-term relationship focused on career and personal development.

We offer leadership/executive coaching, conflict coaching and career coaching to support you to build your leadership skills, identify strengths and work towards your goals.

Our mentoring program offers the opportunity to match with a more senior experienced person to develop your skills and knowledge, to support your professional and person growth.

Access over 16,000 free courses through our LinkedIn learning portal and develop your skills in any chosen area.

Leaders at all levels play a critical role in providing strategic leadership. We foster leaders that are agile and flexible, collaborative and committed to self-development. To achieve your best, we provide leadership development programs to strengthen capability, build confidence and enhance your performance.

All executives can enrol in the Victorian Leadership Academy, an initiative of the Victorian Public Sector Commission.

Through our career mobility pool and whole of government Jobs Exchange network, you will have the opportunity to view and apply for internal secondment, fixed term and ongoing positions throughout the Victorian Government.

Career mobility pool

The career mobility pool provides employees on the department's payroll with job opportunities across the VPS and supports the department to build a skilled and agile workforce that's ready to adapt to new and changing priorities. By joining the career mobility pool, you will be notified if a suitable role aligns with your skills, experience, and career preferences.

Jobs and Skills Exchange (JSE)

The Jobs and Skills Exchange (JSE) aims to enhance workforce mobility and skills development by making it easier for employees to find internal opportunities, and assist hiring managers to find talent within the VPS.

Roles can be ongoing, fixed-term, casual, seasonal and secondments. Find out more about the Job and Skills Exchange on the Victorian Government website.

We encourage all our employees to join our professional networks and external professional associations that provide development opportunities through programs, seminars or events.

There are many Victorian Public Sector networks to suit your career whether your passion is policy or digital innovation, engineering or customer service.

It’s important that the Victorian Public Service is diverse and inclusive, so it reflects the community we serve. That’s why we’ve made pathways for applicants with a disability and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders.

Aboriginal employment

The Victorian Public Service is committed to increasing Aboriginal employment and investing in our Aboriginal workforce. You can access a range of programs designed to provide cultural safety, provide one-on-one support and networking opportunities.

There is also a range of employment initiatives for Aboriginal young people and students. To find out more, visit the Careers.Vic website.

Disability employment

The Victorian Public Sector is an inclusive and diverse workplace and workforce. We encourage people with a disability to apply for any advertised position. You will receive adjustments and supports throughout – from applications, the recruitment process to ongoing support in the workplace.

There is also a number of disability employment initiatives for young people and students with a disability. To find out more, visit the Careers.Vic website.

As a Victorian public service employee, you will have priority access to job opportunities across the public service through the Jobs and Skills Exchange.

Roles advertised can be fixed-term, casual, seasonal or secondments, and offer the opportunity to learn new skills and advance your career.

Find out more about the Job and Skills Exchange on the Victorian Government website.

Cadetships

The Victorian public sector offers paid cadetships to young people to gain work experience in departments and agencies. There are two programs – the Youth Cadetship Scheme and the Aboriginal Undergraduate Cadetship Program. Find out more on the Careers.Vic website.

Student placements

The Victorian public sector offers work experience placements for Year 9 and Year 10 high school students. 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. You can contact us directly for information about placements.

Each year, hundreds of graduates join the Victorian Public Sector, with diverse roles available across the state.

Victorian Government graduate program

The Victorian Government graduate program is a 12-month development program with three rotations in different departments. When you successfully complete this program, you’re guaranteed a job and a promotion.

Find out more about the program on the Victorian Government website.

We know career satisfaction depends on more than just your salary, but you’ll be pleased to know that VPS salaries are some of the highest in Australia.

As a VPS employee, you will receive a competitive salary including 9.5 per cent in superannuation, plus additional benefits such as salary packaging and tax-deductible work-related items.

Salary packaging

Salary packaging allows ongoing employees and those on fixed term contracts to use pre-tax dollars for additional superannuation contributions, to access a novated lease vehicle for full private use, or for discounted private health insurance.

Superannuation

In addition to a 9.5 per cent superannuation contribution, you can also make direct employer contributions to any approved superannuation fund through salary packaging. Your superannuation can also be 'topped up' to a complying accumulation fund of your choice.

Deductible items

Other tax-effective, work-related and deductible items are available, including laptop computers, professional membership fees and home office expenses.

We offer an extensive range of leave entitlements to support our people to achieve a work-life balance.

We also understand that creating the right balance is different for everyone and can change over time depending on your circumstances.

That’s why we provide flexible working options as well as paid additional annual leave should you need to adjust your hours at any time during your career with us. If you are employed under the VPS Workplace Determination 2024, leave entitlements include:

• personal or carer’s leave
• annual leave
• purchased leave
• paid parental leave
• long service leave.

We also provide generous special leave including:

• compassionate leave in the event of death or serious illness
• adoption leave
• defence force leave
• jury service leave
• cultural leave
• pre-natal leave
• leave for union training
• occupational health and safety training.

As well as leave to employees experiencing family violence to attend legal, health or financial appointments or court, and to support relocation, care for children, and other needs.

We provide a range of support services and resources to all employees and their immediate family to proactively manage and enhance their wellbeing.

Employee Wellbeing and Support program

Our Employee Wellbeing Program provides confidential support and resources to all employees and their immediate family to assist with:

• relationships
• work-life balance
• anxiety, stress and depression
• change, workload and career
• bereavement, grief and loss
• nutrition, sleep and health
• communication and conflict
• drug, alcohol and addictions
• legal and financial concerns
• family violence
• parenting and family.

These services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The cost to access many of these services is free.

Support for parents

To balance your career and caring for children, additional support and employee benefits are provided for working parents and new parents, or individuals caring for dependants.

We have partnered with Grace Papers to empower parents and carers to lead personally and professionally fulfilling lives. The free online program provides step-by-step support and evidence-based strategies for whatever stage you’re at during pregnancy, parental leave and return to work.

Support for managers

We recognise our people managers have the greatest influence and impact on employee engagement, conduct and performance. That’s why we provide our people managers with tool kits, training, information and professional support to help them develop the skills, confidence and practices to guide and empower their teams to perform at their best.

Our managers and people leaders have unlimited access to free professional coaching and advice through our Employee Wellbeing and Support Program, to assist with people management issues and develop leadership competencies.

Peer Support Network

Our Peer Support Network provides informal and confidential support to all employees. Our volunteers can help employees affected by:

• bullying and inappropriate behaviour in the workplace
• family violence
• mental health concerns
• support for any other reason that may be causing concern or distress.

The network operates Monday to Friday during business hours.

If you regularly catch public transport to work, our Rail Commuter Club allows you to purchase a 365-day Myki pass at a discount via fortnightly salary deductions. This covers all metropolitan trains and trams plus buses in specified zones as well as V/Line country trains and buses.

We also offer:

• reimbursement for the cost of an eye test and prescription lenses if you perform screen-based work
• free flu vaccinations
• end-of-trip facilities if you ride or run into work.

Whether you are commencing your career as a graduate, transferring from another government department or agency, or entering from the private sector, our professional development opportunities will ensure you have every chance of achieving a rewarding career.

The Victorian Public Sector structure is built on merit-based appointment to grades, but also allows for individual career progression.

We are committed to providing training and development opportunities through our Professional Development Plans to help you develop skills that are transferable and meet your development objectives.

These opportunities could involve study for formal qualifications, involvement or attendance at conferences and seminars, or consideration for inclusion in emerging public sector leadership programs.

All professional development opportunities are designed by you, in collaboration with your manager.