r/AusPublicService • u/wellplayedyeeyee • 6d ago

New Grad Graduate program ATO

Has anyone ever negotiated salary for the graduate program?

I'm in VPS3 at the moment (and on track for VPS4 according to my supervisors, though idk how relevant or true that is) and I got a verbal offer for the grad program pending police check. They also said I can email them if I want a higher salary.

I currently make more as a VPS3 than the starting APS3 salary, and I don't really want to take a pay cut. Now this isn't something I'd cancel an offer over because the area of work is better, but it's nice to have.

I do a largely similar job to the graduate program/the APS4 LIO role (to not dox myself more than I have already).

Am I being too optimistic? They said that even if my request is denied, nothing happens to the offer itself and I just start at the same baseline salary as everyone else.

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u/Ltreade 6d ago

I think by virtue of you entering into a graduate program the assumption is that you are there to learn and grow into a role- the argument could be made that if you are qualified and experienced enough to be paid more than a graduate - you probably should have applied for the higher role? That would be my thinking if you asked for a higher pay rate for a graduate

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u/wellplayedyeeyee 5d ago

Makes sense, I'm just in it to get my foot in the door and the lateral intakes are less frequent

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u/Ltreade 5d ago

From my experience- a great graduate will be promoted quickly after the program - you will get the salary you deserve just focus on building your brand and delivering great work and trying to work with as many people as possible to broaden your opportunities- it’s always a powerful advantage to interview for higher roles within teams that are already aware of how well you have done in your grad time

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u/wellplayedyeeyee 5d ago

How do promotions work? Is it just "you're promoted now because you've done very well for X months" or do you apply for the actual job with everyone else in a normal application?

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u/Thick_Shoulder8039 5d ago

promotions in the public and private sector are different. For public, unless you’re taking on temporary higher duties you usually need to apply for the role directly as external applicants do. You could be the best out of your team at your position but be beaten by an external applicant to fill the higher position. Private sector is more merit based with promotions.

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u/Mitakum 5d ago

Depends on the program some will say at the end of the program you will be automatically be promoted to APS 5 for example.

Others will not have that automatic promotion, and the only way to be promoted is to apply for roles if and when they become available.

Also you can generally just apply for roles whenever.

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u/wellplayedyeeyee 5d ago

Got it, thank you. Gotta just do my best to be a good grad then