Information for applicants

An exciting employment opportunity bringing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and Western Australian government agencies together.
Aboriginal traineeship program banner

Now, the really important stuff

To be eligible you must:

  • be of Aboriginal Australian and/or Torres Strait Islander descent
  • be aged 16 and older
  • have completed a minimum of Year 10 schooling or equivalent
  • be able to obtain a satisfactory National Police Clearance
  • be committed to working in an office environment.

If you are accepted into the program you:

  • are employed by the Public Sector Commission
  • earn a trainee salary
  • are placed with an agency to develop public administration skills
  • receive support and mentoring throughout the traineeship.

When you complete the program you:

  • graduate with a nationally recognised Certificate III in Government
  • are supported to find your next job in the public sector.

How to apply

Applications for 2024 are now closed

Recruitment and selection

Shortlisted applicants are invited to an engagement session instead of an interview.

This includes individual and group activities where you can show your skills and knowledge. You can also ask questions and get to know our team who support trainees once they are employed.

People who apply from regional areas can do all of this online so you won’t need to travel.

Induction

When you start as a trainee you participate in an induction where you:

  • sign a training contract and plan
  • learn about the Western Australian government sector, and your role and responsibilities as a trainee
  • hear about the skills you develop during the traineeship
  • receive an outline of the Certificate III in Government units
  • learn about the agency where you will work, and meet your supervisor and Public Sector Commission mentor.

Agency placement

As a trainee, you complete your entire traineeship at one host agency.

To complete the requirements for the Certificate III in Government you must:

  • complete the core and elective units in a set timeframe
  • complete all workplace tasks allocated by the agency supervisor
  • build a portfolio of evidence based on daily work aligned with the assessment requirements
  • complete a workplace assessment undertaken by a registered training assessor.

Your responsibilities during the program

The traineeship takes 12 months to complete if you’re full time or 18 months part time. During this time you must:

  • attend the workplace every day (unless you take approved personal leave)
  • take part in all training and learning activities
  • complete core and elective units for the Certificate III in Government
  • attend all meetings, training sessions, information sessions and assessment visits
  • submit timesheets and leave forms on time
  • talk to your mentor or supervisor about any problems you are experiencing so they can help you.

Completion

The traineeship usually ends when one of the following happens:

  • The employment contract for your traineeship ends.
  • The trainee takes another job.
  • The trainee resigns.

If you complete the traineeship you are presented with a Certificate III in Government. We work with agencies and businesses to find other job opportunities for trainees.

Both trainees and agencies are invited to a graduation to celebrate the end of the traineeship.

How much is the trainee salary?

Trainees are paid a fortnightly salary based on age.

Full time traineeship salaries (before tax)

Age Amount per year
Under 17 years $35,129
17 years $39,764
18 years $44,399
19 years $49,036
20 years $53,669
21 and above $60,190

This table is based on the Public Sector CSA Agreement 2022 and can change. The information is current as at 11 August 2022.

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