Graduate Programs: Department of Water and Environmental Regulation

Our Graduate Programs are open to values-driven university graduates who are committed to creating a sustainable environment for Western Australians
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Build your skills.
Build your career.
Shape Western Australia’s future.

Be part of building solutions to climate change and sustainability and the digital transformation of our business.

Register your interest in our program to be notified the instant 2025 applications are open.

Calling all graduates, particularly those who consider themselves digitally savvy and passionate about our environment. You’ll be joining an organisation that celebrates diversity, will grow your carbon literacy, recognises the practice of intergenerational care for Country by traditional custodians, and provides genuine opportunities for Aboriginal people within our workforce and through our business. 

Our role is to ensure the state’s water resources and environment are healthy and able to support a strong economy and thriving communities, now and in the future. 

Come and say hi! - Our 2024 events

Want to learn more? Come and connect with our graduates at the following events. You’ll find us at the ‘A place of opportunity’ stand.

2024 events

EventTime and dateLocation
ECU Guild Fair (Mt Lawley)10.30am to 2pm, Tuesday 20 FebruaryECU Mt Lawley
Curtin Guild O-Day 
 
11am to 2.30pm, Wednesday 21 FebruaryCurtin University Bentley
ECU Guild Fair (Joondalup)10.30am to 2pm, Thursday 22 FebruaryECU Joondalup
UWA Guild O-Day11am to 3pm, Friday 23 FebruaryUWA Nedlands
ECU School of Science, Business and Law Careers Fair10 am to 1.30pm, Monday 11 MarchECU Joondalup
Curtin Careers Fair10.30am to 2pm, Friday 15 MarchCurtin University Bentley
UWA Careers FairTuesday 19 MarchUWA Nedlands
Murdoch Careers FairWednesday 20 MarchMurdoch University
STEM Women12pm to 4pm, Wednesday 20 MarchPerth Convention and Exhibition Centre
The Big Meet11am to 2pm, Monday 25 MarchPerth Convention and Exhibition Centre

Graduate testimonials

Chelsea

Daisy

Jack

Jen

Nick

About our Graduate Programs

Our 12-month programs aim to build the skills, experience and networks required for a successful career in the Western Australian public sector. Our customised rotation plan is designed around our needs and your interests, providing you with opportunities to experience and work on statewide projects and initiatives.

We work closely with leaders in the mining, engineering, transport, resource, urban and regional planning and development, tourism, construction, and agricultural sectors. We partner with local and state industry and educational institutions and have a global presence in our programs and projects. 

We care | We build trust | Better together | Open minds | We serve to make a difference 

Initial employment is on a fixed term basis, with the transition to permanent employment following performance evaluation and successful completion of the 12-month program. 

Applications for the 2025 intake will open in mid-June 2024.

What’s on offer

Benefits of working at DWER

Salary

The starting salary for this program will depend on your qualification and placement. 
PSCSAA Level 3, $79,156 - $84,977 pa or PSCSAA, Specified Calling Level 1, $ 76,425 - $100,605 pa.

In addition, you will receive 10.5% superannuation.  

Permanency

Subject to successful completion of this program, you will transition into permanent employment in one of our eight directorates:

  • Compliance and Enforcement
  • Corporate Services
  • Environmental Protection Authority Services
  • Regional Delivery
  • Regulatory Services
  • Science and Planning
  • Strategic Policy
  • Strategy and Engagement

Flexible working conditions

The department supports flexible working arrangements for all staff, helping employees achieve a better work-life balance, and boosting employee well-being and job satisfaction. Benefits of flexible working conditions at the department include: 

  • flexible start and finish times
  • access to time in lieu.

Attractive leave entitlements

All staff, including graduates, are entitled to a suite of leave arrangements including: 

  • four weeks annual leave per year
  • 12 days personal leave (for you or to care for your sick family member) per year
  • the ability to purchase additional leave
  • Cultural/Ceremonial Leave for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders 
  • 10 days public holidays per year
  • Three days public service holidays per year
  • Christmas to New Year close down
  • 13 weeks long service leave after seven years of continuous service.

Access to mentoring and support

All graduates will be supported by a comprehensive support network with skilled and diverse professionals including:

  • a dedicated graduate coordinator
  • access to the program’s executive champion
  • a directorate sponsor
  • a line manager and workplace buddy for each rotation
  • your graduate peers (both in our department and from across the sector) 
  • members of our Youth Outreach Understanding Networking Group (YOUNG) Committee.

Graduate development and networking program

Our department supports a mindset of curiosity and continuous learning that aligns to the 70:20:10 principles. Graduate development is important to us to ensure our future leaders have the skills they need for today and into the future. This both assists our graduates on their career journey and supports our purpose and business as it evolves. 

Our graduate program offers an exciting, purpose-built learning program consisting of:

  • a comprehensive induction program including a suite of online modules 
  • paid membership to the Institute of Public Administration Australia’s (IPAA) Young Professionals and attend the annual IPAA Public Sector Young Professional Conference
  • completion of the Public Sector Commission’s Graduate Launch Program
  • participation in the department’s formal mentoring program
  • networking events with graduates at other agencies.
     

We’ll grow your carbon literacy

Graduates will participate in our pilot Carbon Literacy Project as part of a partnership with Edith Cowan University’s School of Business and Law. You will become carbon literate and possess the knowledge and capacity required to create a positive shift in how we live, work and behave in response to climate change.

Rotational program

To build your experience and networks across our department, graduates will have the opportunity to rotate through 2-3 placements across our eight directorates according to our business needs and your interests.

Contemporary modern office and end of trip facilities

You’ll be primarily located at our head office. Located in the City of Joondalup, close to the train station and the Joondalup shopping precinct and eateries, Prime House is a purpose-built office. It was opened in 2019 with a 5.5 (out of 6) star NABERS Energy rating.

With ergonomic sit-stand desks for everyone, and plenty of breakout spaces, the workplace is designed with collaboration in mind and is an enjoyable space to be creative.

We also have great end-of-trip facilities for those wishing to ride to work or take advantage of sport and leisure facilities in the area.

Collaborative space and wellbeing room

 

Bike stand Prime House Joondalup
End-of trip facilities

Social and wellness activities

Our department recognises the importance of looking after the ‘whole’ person. To support this, we have: 

  • an active social club that organises sundowners, functions, discounted tickets to local events and much more, with membership open to anyone working in the department 
  • a wellness program that includes programs for: 
    • flu vaccination and skin checks
    • employee assistance 
    • peer support
    • safe spaces 
    • lunch and learn events  
    • volunteering
  • a departmental choir that gets together at lunch twice a week to sing for fun and in support of internal corporate events.
     

YOUNG Program 

Join and be supported by our Youth Outreach Understanding and Networking Group (YOUNG). YOUNG was established to provide a network to connect and empower youth in the department and to create opportunities for youth to develop personally and professionally.

This network also provides a platform to engage and consult with youth during strategic planning on issues where youth perspectives are valuable. 

What we are looking for in a diverse graduate pool

Our department values the strengths a diverse workforce brings to solving the challenges of climate change and creating a sustainable environment for Western Australians.

Every day we support and inspire each other to be our whole selves and best selves to thrive and reach our full potential. We celebrate, acknowledge, respect and embrace differences, because we know that when people from different backgrounds and with different points of view work together, we create the most value and reflect the community we serve.

Our department is committed to creating and maintaining a diverse workforce that reflects the community we serve, along with an inclusive culture where all employees feel valued, respected and connected. The diversity of our workforce is our strength; it enhances our ability to be forward-thinking.

Our graduate program is an equity, diversity and youth initiative, and we encourage applications from:

  • people 24 years and under
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
  • people with disability
  • women in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths disciplines).

What we are looking for in a graduate

We are interested in hearing from if you have recently, or have within the past two years, graduated with a bachelor’s degree. Graduates from all disciplines are encouraged to apply; however, the following disciplines and areas of study have been identified as desirable:

  • environmental science and engineering with a focus on climate change, water resource management, sustainability and natural resource management
  • applied sciences in chemistry and botany
  • science communication
  • project management
  • Commerce, environmental law and/or natural resource economics
  • urban planning
  • agriculture science
  • landscape architecture and urban design
  • intelligence analyst and data science
  • social sciences, climate change and/or public policy
  • computer science or information technology with a focus on cyber security, artificial intelligence, data analytics and modelling and/or application development.

Sorts of roles on offer include:

  • Graduate Natural Resource Management Officer or Graduate Environmental Officer – one of which will be based in Albany
  • Graduate Natural Resource Management Officer – one of which will be based in Bunbury or Geraldton
  • Graduate Environmental Officer
  • Graduate Scientific Officer (Botanist)
  • Graduate Water Planning Officer  
  • Graduate Science Communications Officer
  • Graduate Policy Officer
  • Graduate Data Analyst
  • Graduate IT Officer
  • Graduate Compliance Officer (Waste operations)
  • Graduate Compliance Officer (Environmental compliance)
  • Graduate Pollution Response Officer.

We want you to be able to share and apply your university learnings and help us seek out long-term solutions to support our government commitments to water resources, climate change, biodiversity, sustainability, technology, cybersecurity, waste management and pollution.

Along with your degree, as part of your study program you would have developed and grown your verbal and written communication skills, enabling you to identify and effectively interact and communicate with your audience.  

Your ability to work as part of a team and adapt quickly to change complements your effective time management skills. Your proven ability to research, interpret and report on data allows you to be results focused, and identify and deliver on your goals.  

Most importantly, you are committed to lifelong learning, developing your expertise and networks and responding to the gift of feedback.

Ready to choose your environment? Here’s how to apply

Just three easy steps: 

  1. Ensure your resumé is up to date and includes two referees. These two people will need to be able to comment on your skills and abilities. This may be a current or previous work supervisor or an academic supervisor such as a lecturer or tutor.
  2. Have an electronic copy of your academic transcript and evidence you have completed a relevant undergraduate qualification in the past two years.
  3. Write a cover letter which speaks to us about your interests in our work and this program and how it aligns to your studies, values and career goals. The letter must not exceed two pages.

Applications for our 2025 intake will open in mid-June 2024.

For enquiries, please contact us at graduates@dwer.wa.gov.au.

Want to know more?

Then reach out to us on (08) 6364 6920 or at graduates@dwer.wa.gov.au to seek further information on our graduate program or the recruitment process.

To find out more about working in our department, visit our Careers and employment opportunities page.

We can’t wait to hear from you

You’ll be part of a team making a difference