Tymicka and Jordan joined the department as part of the Victorian Government graduate program which is seeking applications for 2026.
Graduates who are successful in applying to the program are placed in 3 different roles over 12 months before commencing an ongoing role.
Tymicka started the program in the First Peoples Self-Determination division as a Policy Officer.
‘In your first rotation you spend a lot of time learning about government and how it works,’ said Tymicka.
‘I had a coordination role where I supported the team to provide policy advice in support of First Peoples self-determination.’
Jordan joined the team as a Policy Officer too, focused on fire and emergency management.
‘I worked on a framework and tool for the department to help allocate resources quickly in an emergency to tackle the immediate situation and impacts,’ said Jordan.
‘I helped draft a cover letter, the framework, the tool which gathered insights from teams and executives, while providing a helping hand to develop the policy.’
Both Jordan and Tymicka entered the program with support from the First Peoples pathway which offers Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants flexible and tailored assistance during the application process and throughout the program.
The First Peoples Workforce Development unit at the Victorian Public Service Commission coordinates the pathway providing one-on-ones, group catch-ups and connections into the Barring Djinang: First Peoples Workplace Development Framework.
It was great to be with other grads, to learn together and have conversations about the program and what we were working on
Learning and development opportunities
Both Jordan and Tymicka selected the program’s generalist stream, which offers a range of graduate opportunities in projects, policy development, communications and community engagement.
Between them they also completed placements in the Department of Premier and Cabinet, Department of Health and Department of Education.
In addition to placements, graduates participate in a range of learning and development workshops and opportunities from training to executive mentoring.
I loved the in-person training sessions, especially the training focused on policy development and presentation skills
Apply now
Applications are open for the 2026 Victorian Government graduate program and close on 27 April 2025.
Page last updated: 13/03/25