While completing a Bachelor of Arts/Laws, I undertook volunteer work at Consumer Action Law Centre and completed a legal policy internship with the Victoria Law Foundation. After this experience, I became interested in the consumer protection work undertaken by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
Despite having an interest in a particular area, I applied for the ACCC graduate program because I wanted to gain experience in the different roles performed by the ACCC. I subsequently completed rotations in the Communications Group and the Enforcement Branch before deciding to return to the Reg 1 team in the Communications Group for my third rotation.
When my time in the graduate program ended, I began work in the Communications Group. This is a particularly interesting part of the ACCC because it requires an understanding of a number of areas, including the economics of regulation, the legal framework within which the ACCC operates and the telecommunications infrastructure.
As well as ensuring that graduates experience different work areas, the ACCC graduate program involves a comprehensive training program to equip them with the skills necessary to advance their careers at the ACCC.
I would recommend the ACCC graduate program to anyone interested in working in a relevant and intellectually challenging environment.
Katrina
2007 graduate program Legal Group
The ACCC graduate program offers a fantastic opportunity to work in diverse areas of the ACCC. I joined the graduate program in 2007 and my rotations were in the Mergers and Asset Sales Branch, Enforcement Branch and Legal Group.
Working in different areas is great for providing you with a range of opportunities and challenges. As a graduate, I was interviewing potential witnesses around the country, conducting economic analysis on mergers and acquisitions by high-profile corporations and providing legal advice on potential contraventions of the law. I was able to develop my skills on a range of interesting work with extensive training and support from my colleagues.
I also thoroughly enjoyed my interstate rotation in Canberra. The interstate rotations give you the opportunity to work in different areas, put faces to the names of your colleagues and take part in new hobbies/interests outside work that might not be available to you in your home town.
I currently work as a lawyer in the Legal Group. At the ACCC, I work on a range of enforcement activities that are both challenging and exciting. The experience of working with those at the top of their field is also invaluable.
Kate
2006 graduate program Australian Energy Regulator Markets
I wanted to work for the ACCC because I was interested in applying the economic analysis skills I had developed at university in a way that would benefit consumers and the Australian economy. The ACCC and AER regulate national infrastructure services in industries such as telecommunications, energy and transport, and offer graduates challenging, diverse and interesting work.
On the ACCC graduate program I completed rotations in electricity regulation in both the Sydney and Canberra offices and one rotation in the Enforcement and Compliance Branch in Canberra. As a graduate I had the opportunity to work on significant (and sometimes high-profile) matters and was given ownership of the projects I was involved in. I was also given extensive training and enjoyed the opportunity to complete one of my rotations interstate.
I currently work in the markets branch of the AER and am involved in a variety of projects that I find extremely challenging and rewarding. I work in a diverse team with highly experienced and skilled individuals who are always willing to assist me improve my understanding of economic regulation in the energy industry and the role of the regulator in ensuring efficient, safe and reliable energy supply.
The ACCC graduate program provided me with an ideal platform to launch my career. I would recommend the program to anyone who is genuinely interested in working for an organisation that promotes the welfare of the Australian community.
Sheridan
2005 graduate program Mergers & Acquisitions Group
I decided to apply for the ACCC graduate program because I wanted to work for an organisation that had a focus on benefiting the community. I also felt that the ACCC would provide me with challenging work that was personally rewarding.
During my graduate program I worked in enforcement roles in the Canberra and Brisbane offices. Working in enforcement I gained experience in a wide variety of investigations, involving both consumer protection and restrictive trade practices. I worked on large matters, such as an international cartel investigation, and smaller matters, such as one involving allegations of unconscionable conduct by a franchiser. I found that as a graduate I was actively involved in these investigations and was given considerable responsibility and supportive supervision.
On the graduate program I also worked in the Small Business and Outreach units where I gained experience with ACCC publications and education campaigns. This experience helped me to gain an understanding of the ACCC’s broader compliance role within the community.
When I finished the graduate program, I obtained a position in the Enforcement Branch in Canberra; I now work in the Mergers Group.
I feel as though the ACCC graduate program has given me a great opportunity to advance into a career that is both personally and professionally rewarding. The ACCC is an excellent organisation to work for, primarily because the work is interesting and diverse, and because staff are valued for their contribution.
I encourage anyone who has an interest in achieving the goals of the organisation to apply to the graduate program.
Scott
1996 graduate program Enforcement Operations Group
The ACCC is able to offer a diverse range of work at the cutting edge of economic regulation and competition law. The matters we get to work on are invariably interesting, are often challenging and always include a broader focus on the welfare of Australians.
Being a national organisation, opportunities for work in different regions is a big positive. Beginning in Canberra, I had two year-long stints as an investigator in Perth and then headed up the ACCC's North Queensland office in Townsville. I spent 12 months on secondment to the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. These different experiences have been interesting and rewarding.
As with any job, interaction with others—whether they are colleagues, clients or otherwise—is very important. The opportunity to work with professional and skilled colleagues has always been one of the real benefits of working at the ACCC, not to mention the approachability and contact at all levels with senior management and commissioners. Contact with consumers and industry—while not always seeing eye-to-eye—also provides new perspectives and opportunities for learning.
As a career, the ACCC provides significant opportunities. Fourteen years down the track from my time in the graduate program I am lucky to have a role coordinating and overseeing much of the ACCC's competition and consumer protection enforcement work across the country.
The ACCC graduate program provides the perfect entry point and a solid foundation for a rewarding career with the ACCC.
