Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development & Communications Reviews

In my personal experience it has not been as easy to progress as in other areas of the Department. The area in which I work is a very popular, high-profile policy area so staff turnover tends to be much lower and vacancies/progression opportunities are rare. This is not the experience of most of my Grad colleagues, however. Some have been promoted three times in three years and now earn six figures!

Regular donations to charities are made through the Department's Social Club.

The fortnightly Happy Hour sessions are well attended across the Department. There are also lots of health and wellbeing events held at lunchtime, cultural events and our Social Club is very active. I've interacted with a lot of SES staff in the course of my work and found most to be very helpful and approachable.

The Department provides paid maternity leave and employs women in a number of senior management roles.

My first two years in the role were a fascinating learning curve engaging with a whole new global industry and regulatory framework. Although I remain interested in the overall subject matter I work on, it is now tending towards the formulaic and repetitive: regular ministerial briefing, standard regulatory processes, cyclical policy debates and correspondence.

Due to the hierarchical structure in our organisation, some senior managers are accessible but many are somewhat isolated as 'senior executive'. Team managers are generally very accessible and provide advice and mentoring. Our area has considerable communication materials, including regular news emails and face-to-face meetings with senior executives. We also have a structured performance management framework that all employees are required to use during the FY cycle. How well your process works depends on your own manager's attitude. Generally, there is recognition of work done, but it is part of structured awards or meetings.

Nice offices right in the middle of Canberra. Comfortable, easily accessible and in the heart of the city.

Written brief, group activity based upon comprehension, interview questions based upon competency. Know the Department, know current events, be relaxed, be friendly, show your time management, leadership isn't necessarily doing something first.

The Department is not that well paid compared to other APS departments. My particular position carries a lot of responsibility that is not reflected by pay.

There has been lots of training. The in-house training is a bit of a box ticking exercise but I have learnt bits and pieces. The Graduate Certificate in Public Administration has been good, but could be improved. I learnt a lot about the public service and government finance in this.

The public service allows you to negotiate your own start and finish times. The only requirement is that you must work a 7.5 hour day, which amounts to a 37.5 hour week (when working full time). Your working times can be negotiated with your supervisors, and supervisors are understanding when you may need to have appointments during work areas. On average, staff within my immediate team begin work anywhere between 7am-9:30 am, and finish between 3:30pm and 6pm. At times, staff may need to work additional hours. However, depending on your position within the company, you are compensated for those hours. For example, as an APS1-6 (entry to mid-level employee), you accrue flex hours, and you can then use those hours to take time off work (through consultation with your supervisor).

The Department doesn't have a specific carbon footprint reduction approach, but there are smaller initiatives to be more environmentally friendly.