More than a job: Indigenous careers in the Australian Public Service

Call to Indigenous Australians

The Australian Government wants to encourage more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to create rewarding careers in the Australian Public Service (APS).

More than a job—Indigenous careers in the Australian Public Service tells the stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainees and graduates who have chosen to make a career in the Australian Public Service (APS). In their own words they talk about why they chose to work in the APS, what they have learned, gained and contributed so far, and their goals for the future.

In the APS you have a wide variety of career options; from working in justice, the arts or the environment, to delivering services to the community, working in international relations or developing domestic policy.

Over the past three years more than 300 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainees, cadets and graduates have joined the APS through the Indigenous Pathways Programmes delivered through Public Calling —the APS Indigenous employment strategy.

The following stories are only a few examples of the kinds of opportunities and achievements that could be waiting for you.

Lucy-Ann Quartey

Australian Public Service Commission (APS Commission)
Assistant Business Manager
Sydney, NSW

The main things that appealed to me about joining the APS were the flexibility it offered, and the power it gave me to make my own choices about my career.

I was born and raised in Sydney and am of Torres Strait Islander descent with my family hailing from both the Eastern (Mer) and Western (Badu) regions. I joined the APS through the Indigenous Entry Level Recruitment Programme (IELRP) in 2007.

The benefits of having Indigenous employees in the APS are enormous to our communities. Not only are there people on the inside who speak the ‘APS language’ but we are also able to help communicate information back out to our people more effectively. At the end of the day if you want to influence change its easier working side by side with the decision makers. Most of all I wanted to be able to work with Indigenous Australians for the benefit of our people; to make a difference.

Often when you start a job you feel like you’re expected to know all the answers straight away. Joining through a programme like IELRP I felt that it was okay to ask the questions you sometimes feel too ashamed to ask.

Working in the APS has allowed me to build up my organisation skills, expanded my ability to talk to people regardless of who they are, form great friendships and build my confidence. I’ve learned how to interpret and apply legislation and make myself competitive for other job opportunities.

I’ve had a few career highlights in my two years in the APS. These include; completing my traineeship, getting promoted into my current role, working on our Indigenous Pathways Programmes, and becoming a mentor to new trainees in 2008.

The APS really is more than just a job; it’s a career and a place where (if you want to) you can make a mountain of difference. It really is yours to do what you want with because there are all these opportunities for the taking.

Will Cooper

Department of Broadband, Communications & the Digital Economy (DBCDE)
Graduate
Canberra, ACT

The skills and insights I’ve gained since joining the APS have been priceless and I know that I can take what I’ve learnt and use it throughout the rest of my career.

After completing my Communications (Journalism) degree last year, I wanted to take a break before I pursued journalism. Entering the APS through the APS Indigenous Graduate Programme was a logical choice, it offered an environment that supports you as a recent graduate and, importantly, values my Indigenous heritage.

I’m about to complete my grad program at DBCDE. I chose the department because of its communications portfolio, as it is related to the field I studied, and also because DBCDE is at the forefront of some very exciting initiatives such as the National Broadband Network.

The APS offers you a challenging and rewarding work experience and provides the chance for personal growth and opportunity. One of the reasons I find the APS exciting is the chance to work on issues that affect everyone; to help shape national issues is a thrilling experience and I’ve already seen some of my work put into action.

Throughout my year at the department, I have had the opportunity to apply knowledge and skills in a range of diverse areas. This has included policy advice and research around major broadcasting matters such as anti-siphoning in sport, and the recent ABC/SBS Board member policy.

My work in the Indigenous Telecommunications Branch meant a lot to me on a personal level as it provides Indigenous communities with funding for community telephones, internet access, video conferencing, IT training and online content. It’s these work experiences that make the APS worthwhile.

I would happily recommend the APS to any Indigenous person if they want to work in a dynamic workplace which is ever-changing, and supportive

Bianca Rockley

Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
Indigenous Trainee Operations
Newcastle, NSW

I would without a doubt recommend that others join the APS. It has opened up so many opportunities for my future and helped me to create career aspirations and goals for myself.

My family is from Moree, my great-grandfather is a descendant of the Coonbri Tribe (Terry Hie Hie area). I was born in Armidale and grew up there and in my father’s home town of Cessnock.

I joined the APS through the Indigenous Entry Level Recruitment Programme (IELRP) and began a traineeship with the ATO in early 2008. The ATO has been a supportive and friendly place to work and in my time here I have achieved many professional goals while maintaining a healthy work/life balance.

The highlight of my year was a trip to the National Office in Canberra with the other Indigenous trainees in ATO. I was able to meet the Commissioner of Taxation, Mr. Michael D’Ascenzo, who highlighted the many career paths available within the ATO, something I have since seen for myself.

I’m close to completing my traineeship which will include having a Certificate IV in Government through the ATO. Next year I’m looking forward to starting a Commerce degree at Newcastle University and I want to major in accounting. ATO has some great study support schemes for staff, such as paid study leave and payment of fees, that I hope to access to help me further my career.

Daniel Mills

Department of Finance and Deregulation (Finance)
Property Officer, Property Branch
Canberra, ACT

I think it is important that we also look for opportunities in a range of agencies and not limit our chances and choice, thinking you can only work in Indigenous specific areas. This helps with reconciliation and cultural awareness and overall can only help Indigenous people more broadly.

I was born in Alice Springs when my family lived at Hermannsburg (an Aboriginal community 130km west of Alice Springs). When I was four years old my family moved to Canberra and then to Perth when I was seven.

Both my parents work in the APS and suggested I apply for an APS Indigenous Traineeship. I was keen to do architecture but because I was only 17 at the end of year 12, I wanted to have a break from study and join the workforce to earn a good salary and gain experience.

I was happy to move to Canberra because I have relatives here and I knew there would be more opportunities. I was offered a number of jobs but chose to work in the Property Branch of Finance as it was closely related to my longer term career aspirations. I was also successful in being offered a place at the University of Canberra to do a Bachelor of Arts (Architecture) which I have deferred until I complete my traineeship at the end of 2008.

The APS offers a secure and supportive work environment with great conditions of employment. I have developed administrative, contract and property management skills, and learnt more about working with others, managing my time and meeting deadlines. The team I work with are very supportive and have challenged me which has helped extend and broaden my skills.

I have been lucky to have great family support, as well as support from my supervisor and the team at Finance, during my traineeship. I hope to secure an ongoing position with Finance and to commence my studies next year.

Sheena Graham

Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID)
Graduate – Strategic Planning
Canberra, ACT

The highlight of my graduate year was the trip to the Solomon Islands. AusAIDs’ programs are delivered in countries throughout the Asia-Pacific and this was a valuable opportunity to learn more about our work happening on the ground.

I graduated university with a degree in Political Science/International Relations and History. As a single parent with a young child in primary school, I wanted to find work that was professionally challenging and family friendly. I was drawn to the APS for these two reasons and have found that AusAID has met my expectations.

Moving to Canberra from WA was a bit daunting to begin with, but the graduate networks in AusAID and the Aboriginal graduates from other departments made the transition easier.

AusAID has three major rotations in the graduate program and my second rotation to the United Nations Unit happened at an exciting time due to the renewed focus on multilateralism. My work responsibilities were diverse and included coordinating the submission of one of Australia’s reports to the UN and liaising closely with the rest of the agency about UN related matters.

One challenge I experienced were the questions about why an Aboriginal woman would be so interested in international work. International development is closely tied to the struggles of indigenous peoples throughout the world and particularly in Australia; we are often grappling with the same problems whether we are in developed or developing countries. The AusAID Graduate Program has given me the opportunity to explore these links from a government perspective, and my understanding of development work, and AusAID, has expanded throughout the year.

Tim Keen

The Attorney-General’s Department
Trainee
Canberra, ACT

The Attorney-General’s Department has given me many learning and development opportunities that will help me further my career with the APS.

I am a Kamilaroi boy born in Tamworth. I was in my previous job for four years, there weren’t many opportunities for career development and I felt like I wasn’t going anywhere. I applied for the Indigenous Entry Level Recruitment Programme (IELRP) and started a Traineeship with the Attorney-General’s Department in Canberra in early 2008.

As an Aboriginal person it was difficult to move from Tamworth to Canberra, away from family and friends. I entered a work environment that I wasn’t familiar with; it meant working indoors, taking on studies and completing the majority of my work in writing. However, I was willing to take on the challenge and with the help and support of my supervisor, traineeship coordinator and mentor, it has definitely paid off.

Since starting with the Attorney-Generals Department I haven’t looked back. My skills and confidence have grown over the year and I would encourage anyone to apply for a traineeship in the APS. It has great conditions and career development opportunities, and there is heaps of potential to move between agencies.

Deborah Katona

Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C)
Graduate
Canberra, ACT

The APS has jobs that require a range of different skill sets, from entry level up to senior executive.

For the last year I have been working at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C). I had previous APS experience, however, I was looking for a position that better suited my personal interests, skills and abilities. I took up a Graduate position hoping to expand my opportunities and further enhance my skill set. The experience has been invaluable to me on both levels.

PM&C is a central agency, and as such, it plays an important role in assisting government across a wide range of policy areas to ensure its outcomes are met. Generally our work includes providing advice and briefings to the Prime Minister’s office on a range of policy issues.

The PM&C Graduate program offers three rotations over 11 months. The placements are in three diverse areas to provide opportunities for graduates to work on, and learn about, the strategic issues of government in a rewarding and challenging environment. Two of my highlights of the year were the opportunities to be involved with the 2020 Summit and the swearing in of the new Governor General.

A graduate position at PM&C has been a wonderful experience for me. I am now, more aware than ever about the range of positions and employment opportunities across the country offered by the APS.

Quinten Springham

Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA)
Graduate
Canberra, ACT

The skills that I have learnt and developed since joining the APS are so valuable and transferable; I feel a lot more doors have been opened for my future.

My journey into the APS started a long time ago. After I finished high school, I took a job up as tradesman which lasted for six years. After growing tired and bored of my trade, I wanted a change and I started to look around at different career paths. I wanted something that was interesting, challenging and rewarding; something based around the environment and caring for the country. This led me to enrol as a mature age student, in an Environmental Science Degree at Southern Cross University, Lismore.

From university, doors opened and I could see career options everywhere. There were traineeships, cadetships, research and graduate opportunities, all wanting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. From university I worked as a wildlife ranger, something that I had always wanted to do, and a career choice that would leave me wanting to know more; more about big environmental issues and the processes and procedures that governments, communities and industry go through, to get environmental outcomes on the ground.

When I heard about the APS Indigenous Graduate Programme, one of the employers, the Department of the Environment Water, Heritage and the Arts, was of particular interest. Since joining DEWHA I have had the opportunity to work in areas like program development, policy formation and business development in locations like Kakadu, Uluru, Darwin, Hobart and Canberra. This, partnered with the great work conditions and pay, has proved to be too good an opportunity to pass up.