Graduates are selected for the program on the basis of merit according to the selection committee's assessment of your abilities. Our recruitment process is outlined below.
Our selection process includes the following stages:
Graduate applications: Applications usually open in March each year and require submission of:
personal details
work experience
details of your academic history
your current resume
responses to the essay questions included below
Panel assessment: Throughout June and July, a key panel of ACCC staff will assess applications and shortlist applicants to be interviewed. When short listing has been completed we will advise all candidates who have not progressed to interview.
Panel assessment: Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend a panel interview at one of the ACCC's offices in July. The panel will be made up of three to four ACCC staff, who will ask a series of questions to assess candidate claims against the selection criteria. Interviews will also include a short presentation and group activity.
Written tests: After the interview, candidates will be given 30 minutes to complete a test to assess their written communication skills.
Selection: The selection committee will assess candidate applications, qualifications, experience, performance during the interview process and written test results. The committee will then rank interviewed candidates nationally according to relative merit to create a final shortlist.
Referee checks: The selection committee will then carry out referee checks to confirm the suitability of shortlisted candidates.
Offers: Successful candidates will be sent a formal offer to join the program in September. Subsequent offers may be made at any time before the commencement of the program in February.
Responses to the following questions required as part of your application. These essays are designed to allow the selection committee to assess your suitability against the selection criterion. Your responses will be assessed along with your qualifications and experience. You do not need to provide a separate statement addressing the selection criterion.
Essay question 1: Please address one (1) of the following alternatives:
The word limit for this topic is 1000 words including citations.
a) The ACCC has a range of functions, including ensuring compliance with the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (formerly the Trade Practices Act 1974). What tools are available to the ACCC to achieve either its consumer protection objective OR its objective to promote competition? In your response, outline the circumstances in which various mechanisms might achieve the best outcome for Australians.
OR
b) Outline the ACCC’s role in the detection and prevention of scams and the various tools used to reduce the impacts on Australian consumers and businesses.
OR
c) Imagine that you are the owner of a gas pipeline in Australia and that you want the AER to accept an access arrangement for your pipeline. With regard to the following variables outline some of the issues that your access arrangement needs to include:
your legitimate interests as the owner
the public interest
the interests of those who may wish to seek access to the pipeline.
Essay question 2.
The word limit for this topic is 500 words including citations.
ACCC staff undertake a broad range of functions to enhance the welfare of Australians. Duties are performed in accordance with the Australian Public Service Values and Code of Conduct.
Describe how you would expect to contribute to the welfare of Australians if you secure a position on our program. Your answer should also outline the skills and attributes you possess that would assist you and how you expect the program will contribute to your professional development.
You must acknowledge any sources used within the body of your essays. Bibliographies or lists of references are not required.
Eligibility for the program
Qualifications: ACCC graduates must have recently completed at minimum a qualification equivalent to a three-year Australian undergraduate degree or expect to complete this in 2011. Completion of your most recent university qualification must have occurred within the last three years.
Australian citizenship: If you are not currently an Australian citizen, this may restrict your ability to secure a position on our graduate program. Generally, ongoing employees of the Australian Public Service are required to be Australian citizens.
Availability: Successful candidates must be available to start in February 2012 and attend our one-week intensive orientation program in Canberra.
