graduate trainee program - what we can offer
Employment Conditions
Conditions of employment will be covered by the Customs and Border Protection Enterprise Agreement, 2011-2014.
Current conditions include:
- a training salary range of $53,127 - $61,970;
- generous employer superannuation contributions – 15.4%;
- four weeks annual leave;
- three weeks cumulative personal/carer’s leave; and
- a range of family friendly practices including carers' rooms.
Graduate Trainees will be on probation for the duration of the program unless APS probation has already been served. All Graduate Trainees who are required to relocate either temporarily or permanently as a result of an appointment to Australian Customs and Border Protection Services are entitled to assistance with reasonable costs associated with their initial relocation.
Upon successful completion of the Graduate Trainee program, you will be assigned to a Customs Level 2 (APS 5 equivalent) position with a commencement salary of $66,652 + 15.4% superannuation (as at July 2013) based in Canberra. Further salary advancement following completion of the program is based on individual performance and career aspirations.
Drug and Alcohol Policy
The Australian Customs and Border Protection Service views substance abuse in the workplace as an integrity matter and incompatible with the ethical standards expected of Australian Customs and Border Protection Service employees as articulated by the APS values and the APS Code of Conduct. In line with the Customs Administration Act 1985, mandatory drug and alcohol testing will occur for Australian Customs and Border Protection Service officers from March 2013. If an officer tests positive to alcohol or prohibited drugs, disciplinary action will be taken and if the officer has been found to have breached the Code of Conduct any sanctions imposed will reflect the severity of the breach. This may include at the higher end of the scale, termination of employment.
Program Rotations
During the program, Graduate Trainees will undertake three rotational work placements. The work placements give Graduate Trainee exposure to Australian Customs and Border Protection Service operations and functions. Successful Graduate Trainees may undergo rotational placements in a specified Division or through different Divisions within the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service.
All Graduate Trainees are based in Canberra for the duration of the 12 month program. The opportunity to complete a placement in a region will vary according to operational requirements. As a Customs and Border Protection Graduate Trainee your duties may include:
- managing projects which require research and analysis;
- operational duties associated with particular functions of the work area;
- preparing reports and briefing papers;
- contributing to the review and development of policy, guidelines and procedures that impact our operational officers;
- providing administrative support to a work area; and
- organising and coordinating conferences, meetings and workshops.
To see what current and previous work placements have entailed please refer to the graduate profiles. 
Training
Additional training is delivered during the Graduate program to support your entry into the Australian Public Service and particularly our Agency. The training covers a wide range of topics including:
- Customs and Border Protection induction;
- APS values and code of conduct;
- cultural Awareness and Diversity;
- government and parliamentary processes;
- writing in the APS;
- project management;
- strategic thinking;
- policy development;
- communicating and working in teams;
- influencing and representational skills;
- self awareness, performance management and coaching; and
- an overview of Customs and Border Protection technical and operational topics.
Graduate Trainees have the opportunity to build on the skills they learn during training by undertaking a team research project. Recent team projects have covered topics including Australian Maritime Identification System, Maritime Intelligence Sharing, and Effectiveness Indicators for Container Examinations Facility (CEF) performance.
At the end of the program, Graduate Trainees who have successfully met all requirements, including probation, will receive a nationally recognised qualification and a permanent position within the organisation at the CL2 classification (APS 5 equivalent).
Mentor / Support Network
Each Graduate Trainee is allocated an SES mentor. The mentor will:
- act as a guide, advisor and counsellor to the Graduate Trainee at various stages throughout the program;
- support the Graduate Trainee’s transition into line areas;
- assist the Graduate Trainee to clarify their career expectations; and
- provide constructive and encouraging feedback.
Relocation Assistance
Upon the successful applicant accepting an offer of employment, Australian Customs and Border Protection Service will provide assistance for relocation to Canberra. This may include:
- flights from your home port and your motor vehicle relocated to Canberra OR
- a motor vehicle allowance for you to drive your car from your home port to Canberra;
- relocation of your personal and household items;
- short-term, temporary accommodation whilst settling in to Canberra; and
- meals allowance whilst in short-term, temporary accommodation.