The Community and Social Services Graduate Program is a 12-month whole-of-sector graduate program for community and social services.

The Victorian Government is building the community services workforce by partnering with the social services sector.

VCOSS are hosting an online information discussion for prospective employers wanting to know more about how to participate in the Graduate Program, on:

30 September 11 am– 11.30 am

5 October 11.30 am– 12 pm

About the Program

The department of Families Fairness and Housing is working with employers and peak bodies to pilot a new whole-of-sector graduate program for community and social services to build and develop the future skilled workforce. 

Investing in a rich and rewarding graduate experience will help us keep more new workers in the sector. It will also grow the skilled workforce that community and social services need to meet current and future demand. 

We know it can be difficult to support new starters to develop their skills and experience. By participating in the graduate program employers will have access to:

a structured program with learning and development activities to improve retention of workers in their early years of employment

funding to share in the cost of investing in early career workers

supported recruitment through the Graduate Resource Centre providing access to qualified graduates looking to start their career.

Round 5

Applications for Round 5 nominated roles – workers employed under 12 months having completed their qualification in the past 2 years -close on the 9 Oct

Round 6 of the Graduate Program will open in Nov 2026 - through the program, your organisation will

• receive $8,000 per graduate to support their professional development

• access a pool of motivated graduates with the right qualifications

• retain new workers by offering a supported early-career experience

• get support for graduate and supervisor training

• be able to apply for an additional $5,000 to support graduates in rural and regional locations.

Register to take part in the Graduate Program via the employer portal. You can register at any time.

Auslan

Due to high demand, Victoria is experiencing a shortage of Auslan interpreters. VCOSS strives to ensure our events are inclusive to everyone and will do our best to secure Auslan interpreters. To help us do this, if you require Auslan for this event, please RSVP as soon as possible so that we can work with Expression Australia to secure interpreters.

About the Victorian Council of Social Service
VCOSS is the peak representative body for Victoria’s social and community sector, and the state’s leading social advocacy organisation. We work towards creating a Victoria that is fair, just and inclusive. A society where nobody is trapped by poverty, and everybody is supported to live a life of wellbeing.

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Contact the host of Community and Social Services Graduate Program Prospective Employer Information Discussion