Graduate Profiles: Treasury
Bachelor of Applied Economics / Bachelor of Commerce
University of Canberra
Backpacking overseas during a gap year reiterated to me the impact economic policy has on people and how they live their everyday lives. This was the impetus for wanting to work at Treasury, where our mission is to improve the wellbeing of the Australian people by providing sound and timely advice to the Government.
I am placed within the Business Tax Division, where our team develops policy for the Capital Gains Tax (CGT) system. In my job, I am responsible for responding to enquiries from individuals and companies in regards to the CGT system. Already in my career I have been fortunate enough to liaise with many external stakeholders, work on an explanatory memorandum (this document explains the purpose of the accompanying Bill) and contribute to briefings for the Treasurer. Working at Treasury in the current economic environment is allowing me to gain experience in dealing with extreme economic situations, some of which have not been seen since World War II.
Outside of work, all graduates are invited to join the Social Network of Graduates (SNoG). SNoG organises many events throughout the year including trivia nights, paintball, ski trips and the annual SNoG ball. During the year, I, along with 15 other graduates in Canberra, enrolled in the SNoG Karate course. I am fortunate enough to now have a yellow belt and am well on my way to becoming a black belt (well… a few years off!).
Bachelor of Law / Bachelor of Arts
Macquarie University
As a law graduate, instead of just working in the provision of professional services I wanted to apply my knowledge and skills in what I believe is one of the most challenging areas of government. Treasury provides graduates with an opportunity to become involved in public policy issues such as macroeconomic analysis, competition regulation, climate change, financial market regulation, and trade and investment, whereas most law firms are involved in a narrower range of tasks that require you to specialise at an earlier stage in your career.
Treasury is considered to be the government’s premier advisor on economic policy, and the experience and insights I have gained here I believe will be invaluable to my career. As you progress through Treasury there are many opportunities to develop different skills with secondments to other departments or agencies (e.g. the Cape York Institute, the RBA, the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet), or even other countries (particularly in the Pacific region). This is also a great feature that can help employees in progressing their careers. As a department the Treasury cares about its employees and will provide as much support as possible to accommodate the changing needs or interests of its staff.
A standout feature of Treasury is that most people I speak to (at all levels) really love their jobs and are very happy working at Treasury. Staff enjoy the variety of tasks and subject matter they deal with on a day-to-day basis, and are genuinely valued and respected as staff members. These are not things that I think can be said about all workplaces.
Applications for the 2010 Graduate Intake open on 1 March 2009 and close 1 May 2009. For further information about being a graduate at Treasury, please visit our website www.graduates.treasury.gov.au.
