If you are looking to move to the Australian capital and join a government agency, here are six tips to help you settle in. In this article, we will look at finding a job, getting around, and finding a place to live. Keep in mind that these tips may not be applicable to your specific situation, so be sure to read the full article for more information. After reading this article, you should be better equipped to make the most of your time in Canberra.
Graduate positions
Moving to Canberra can be both an exciting and a daunting prospect. On the one hand, it offers the chance to start a new chapter in your life and to build a career in the federal government. Accepting a graduate government job also means leaving behind friends and family, and adjusting to a new city. But before you accept the position and search for a removalists Canberra company, bear in mind that the cost of living is relatively high in Canberra. As a graduate you need to make sure you have enough savings to cover your expenses. Second, it is important to make an effort to meet new people and build up a social network because there will be other graduates in the same boat as you who have decided to make the interstate move with an interstate removals service and house sharing with them will definitely help you the first couple years until your pay increases after your graduate program.
Getting a job in Canberra
The public service is one of the most lucrative careers in Australia, with 42 per cent of the workforce employed by the federal government. The ACT Government accounts for 10 per cent of this total, making the ACT the largest employer of APS personnel. The Australian Public Service Commission defines a typical public servant as a woman in her mid-30s with a Bachelor’s degree, and an average annual salary of about $100,000.
The public sector offers a wide variety of career options, but the majority of positions are in the capital city. Unlike private sector jobs, government employees have job security and job stability. In the private sector, businesses constantly merge and restructure, and people depend on their income to cover their expenses. Public sector jobs have far more job security, as the government will never go out of business. Therefore, government employment is highly sought after, so the competition for these roles is fierce. You’ll find once you have worked in government, it will open up doors to other government roles and or private sectors if you so choose.
Diversified population
According to the most recent census data, nearly 60,000 people moved to Canberra from other parts of Australia between 2011 and 2016. Of those, a significant number were New Zealanders. The reasons for this are manifold. Canberra is home to a large number of federal government departments and agencies, which New Zealanders find to be attractive employers. Auckland movers can help arrange the move across New Zealand to Canberra and moreover, it is located just a short flight away, making it easy for Kiwis to move from and stay connected with family and friends back home. For all these reasons, it’s no surprise that many New Zealanders choose to make the move to Canberra.
Getting accustomed to a new location
When you move to Canberra as a public servant, you will be in a city that is largely planned and organised, which will make your relocation much easier. The city is divided into districts and you will probably live in a central apartment complex, or in one of the many sprawling apartment blocks scattered throughout the city. The city is divided into eight districts, with the northernmost district of North Canberra containing 14 suburbs including Kingston, Manuka, and Ainslie. The city’s southernmost district is called “South Canberra,” and it includes the more populated suburb Kingston, which has local shops and cafe cultures.
Public service jobs in Canberra are especially abundant, with a number of federal government departments offering graduate intake programs. Among the most popular positions in Australia are those with the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Department of Treasury. If you are interested in a career in the public sector, you should check out GradAustralia’s resources on public service jobs.
Getting around
For many public servants, the city can be a foreign territory, but that doesn’t mean its unwelcoming. Public servants in Canberra come from all walks of life. They work in everything from government offices to the media. They work on some of the country’s most important projects, including the drafting of legislation and the development of tax laws. Here are some tips for navigating Canberra as a public servant.
Canberra’s public transport system is excellent, making it easy to get around the city without a car. The bus network is extensive and covers all areas of the city, with buses running frequently throughout the day. The light rail network is also growing, with new lines being added in recent years. Trams are a convenient way to get around the inner city and are particularly popular with tourists. In addition, there are a number of taxi and ride-sharing services available, making it easy to find a ride when needed. Overall, moving to Canberra without a car is feasible and can be a very enjoyable experience.
Getting a house
The ACT is the state with the greatest number of public servants. According to the Australian Public Service Commission, about 42 per cent of the ACT’s workforce are public servants. Of these, 31 per cent work for the federal government, while the remainder is accounted for by the ACT Government. According to Stephanie Foster, acting commissioner of the Australian Public Service, one defining feature of the public servant workforce in Canberra is age.
Housing ACT has a scheme that allows eligible tenants to purchase 70 percent of their housing ACT property upfront. The government retains 30% of the equity, and the purchaser agrees to progressively purchase the remaining 30 per cent over a maximum period of 15 years. This scheme is consistent with Public Housing reforms, and the process is simple. Housing ACT also offers a Shared Equity Scheme for social housing tenants to purchase a property.
But if you are renting and starting out as a young adult, the most efficient and inexpensive way to experience Canberra while also meeting new friends is to share a house with people who you form and cultivate new friendships with through your graduate intake program.
