Updating Results

Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR)

+ Add a review
4.0
  • 1,000 - 50,000 employees

Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) Reviews

Based on 11 surveyed graduates working at Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR). Read on to get an insider’s view on life as a graduate.
4.0
Based on 11 reviews

Pros & Cons

  • The flexibility and ability to work on tasks that are useful towards the department.
  • The work-life balance and flexibility
  • Job security and ability to work on projects where you can see the identifiable impact.
  • The breadth of work and contributing to work that genuinely makes a difference in society.
  • There is a real sense of comradery and a focus on gaining and maintaining a positive workplace culture.
  • At times because of my level, I am out of the loop of the direction of my team and conversations held between higher level employees.
  • Some areas of the department are knowingly overworked and understaffed. Benefits of the workplace are not evenly distributed across the department such as the above.
  • There is a lot of red tape, and bureaucracy, which can make work feel slow.
  • Poor communication at some levels and the integration of different working areas leads to unproductive work practices.
  • Lack of progression, slow processes, hierarchy, unpredictable culture between areas

What Insiders Say

6.6
Career Prospects
6.6
Career Prospects
The graduate position is well placed to secure promotion opportunities. Beyond the grad program, I'm unsure what promotion opportunities look like. But there seems to be a culture of recognising and rewarding staff who are contributing well to the team and promotion looks viable within the department.
6.5
Corporate Social Responsibility
6.5
Corporate Social Responsibility
The Graduates are responsible for fundraising for a charity throughout the year.
7.0
Culture
7.0
Culture
Overall the culture feels good, but the department is still working out how to get every division of the department together and on the same page. My observation is that the machinery of government (MOG) was disruptive and there are cultural differences between employment, education and the attorney generals office. My team have a strong culture and understanding of our priorities and work. Outside of the office, there is a positive graduate culture. There is a good sense of togetherness and support within and outside of the graduate program. Most graduates are well supported by their peers.
6.5
Diversity
6.5
Diversity
The current graduate cohort is quite diverse and has many people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, LGBTQ+ community and a fairly evenly split gender balance. There is also a wide age-range for the graduations and retention has been good so far with people having had access too carers and parental leave.
8.1
Satisfaction
8.1
Satisfaction
I work in a team that works on policy and stakeholder engagement. Our team consists of 10 people and there are matured silos that stifle team members capacity to support in what I consider important work. I like to get things done and when I work with others work to slow down the progress of the work. More satisfaction with my work would be supported by greater outcomes.
6.8
Management
6.8
Management
I've found my managers to be very good mentors who are genuinely interested in supporting my development and aspirations. They do make an effort to give feedback, praise and recognition for my contributions.
7.0
Office Work Environment
7.0
Office Work Environment
Locations are good (although it would be better if the department was together in one space), and the facilities and office spaces are okay, but they both limit the possibility of greater integration and less working silos. The dress code is flexible and led by team cultures, rather than departmental ones.
6.6
Recruitment
6.6
Recruitment
It was very good overall. There were clear communication when applying, processing to interview/assessment, and being accepted for the position. The process was very slow and drawn out. However, communication was done well throughout the program with timelines and next steps. Be prepared to talk about experiences that showcase skills relevant to the job description, using the STAR method. Also be ready to talk about your motivation for the job, and what you can bring. You may also be asked a question relevant to the work context of the work area you've applied for.
7.9
Salary
7.9
Salary
The pay is competitive compared to other grad programs and progression through the APS classifications is swift. I started the grad program at APS3 level, was promoted to APS4 mid-way through the 10 month program and will be promoted to APS5 at the end of the program, pending successful completion. A health and wellbeing payment to spend how each employee sees fit.
7.4
Training
7.4
Training
I am very pleased with the training I've received so far. I have been supported to undertake several formal training programs in which I have gained the skills to prepare for and participate in various government processes including senate estimates and the legislation process. Regarding informal training, in my 2 graduation rotations I have been supervised by very competent staff who have been able to assist me and provide valuable feedback on my work. I have gained very valuable skills in communication, particularly government writing, stakeholder engagement and working collaboratively with project teams across the group.
8.5
Work Hours
8.5
Work Hours
In my current role I am generally able to handle the workload within standard hours. The company is very flexible when it comes to using accrued flex entitlements and working from home. Very supportive of people taking leave/time off when requested and encouraging people to take leave if necessary if workloads are high.
5.9
Sustainability
5.9
Sustainability
I'm unsure to what extent our department commits to sustainability. The department works on projects relating to green transition economies, and supporting the transition of careers to renewable projects. There is a big push to WFH which reduces the amount of people travelling to work by car/public transport.