Have you thought about working for the Public Transport Authority? Do you know what we do?

Every day, hundreds of thousands of people rely on us to get them to where they need to be. We provide the integrated delivery of train, bus and ferry services throughout the state of WA and we design, build and maintain the transport infrastructure.

We’ve been part of Western Australia for over 100 years and we’ll be here for the next 100 years . . .

Public transport is a key player in resolving the transport issues of the future. Staying on top of our game is about being one step ahead of what the public wants and needs from our network.  Strong investment in our future translates to secure and stable employment for our people.

As a fast growing economy, Western Australia’s public transport system is recognised as the best in Australia and is one of the most efficient, clean and safe networks in the world.

And while we have sophisticated trains, buses and ferries, our most important resource are the talented people who work here. Some of whom started their careers as a graduate on our graduate program.

Does working for a green company excite you?

Perth is rapidly growing and beginning to experience the same transport issues larger cities face around the world, such as increased congestion, increased costs of owning a car and driving, increased parking costs, and an increased social awareness of sustainable living.

Cars and other light vehicles make up more than half of transport emissions – equal to around 10 per cent of Australia’s total emissions.

Riding the bus, train and ferry is fun, fast and eco-friendly. Working for a company that contributes to the environmental sustainability of our planet while using your technical skill-set can be not only rewarding, but fulfilling.

Our Company Values:

We look for talented and motivated people who are committed to ensuring the future of our public transport is a safe and efficient one. We look for those who share our values of:

Safety – We are committed to safety and protecting your future.
Respect – We value and respect our customers, suppliers and each other.
Recognition – We recognise each other for achievement, initiative and innovation.
Integrity – We are honest and ethical.
Sustainability – We consider the long-term impact of everything we do – economic, social and environmental.

Our graduate program is about giving you time to grow . . .

The PTA’s graduate program is a two-year rotation-based plan designed to develop a broaden skills and give you direct access to the business in line with your discipline. We have a strong focus on developing the whole person and giving you time to grow so that you can become an important contributor to WA’s public transport system.

Our graduate program includes:

• Individual support from the dedicated graduate coordinator.
• Two-year rotation plan designed to develop and broaden skills and give you direct access to the business in line with your discipline.
• Regular reviews and performance feedback.
• Support to progress toward Chartered Engineer Status (CPEng) or Certified Practising Accountant status (CPA). 
• A great work-life balance with access to a free gym, health and wellbeing initiatives and flexible working conditions. 
• Generous financial assistance and study leave for further education.

During your time in each rotation you will get a chance to work with and learn from the people who build our world-class public transport system.  Many of our graduates start being responsible for their own projects in their second year.

Applications open in March / April each year and we commonly recruit in the following disciplines:

• Civil Engineering
• Electrical Engineering (including Electronics, Electrical Power, Communications, Control Systems and Mechatronics)
• Mechanical Engineering
• Mechatronic
• Urban and Regional
• Transport Planning
• Accounting

As well as providing a career path in rail, the PTA’s graduate program offers participants many exciting and challenging opportunities to contribute to the future of public transport in WA.

If you have any questions about the program please refer to the PTA Graduate Program brochure. Alternatively, please feel free to contact the graduate coordinator at [email protected]

What our Graduates Say….

“The PTA graduate program for civil engineering is designed to transition you from a graduate to a well-rounded and competent engineer. The rotations provide you with exciting opportunities to work in both the office and in the field to gain a breadth of experience and the skills necessary to excel in the profession. There is also a lot of freedom to drive your own career path, with managers allowing you choose the projects which best match your career aspirations. There are few opportunities as good as this, so don’t miss out.”
John Marra, Graduate Civil Engineer

“The PTA graduate program has provided me with a breadth of electrical engineering experience that I did not think possible in a single organisation. So far I have had the opportunity to work with extra low voltage communications devices, industrial LV systems and on the 25kV traction power network that keeps the rollingstock rolling.”
Stephen Endicott, Past Graduate Electrical Engineer

“Working at PTA has opened up an entire career path to me in rail that I didn’t know existed. It’s given countless opportunities to take on engineering challenges that contribute to a safer, more efficient railway for the local community – it’s rewarding.”
Kara Symes, Past Graduate Electrical Engineer

Voted as one of the top intern programs in Australia in 2022 (AAGE Interns Survey), the Public Transport Authority’s Vacation Student Program is an annual twelve-week program that runs between the end of November through to mid February each year. Students are assigned a workplace supervisor and complete meaningful work during their placement enabling them to make an active contribution to the PTA.

Applications open in July/August each year and vacancies are generally available in the following disciplines:

• Civil Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Mechatronic Engineering
• Environmental Science

If you would like to learn more about the program please contact the graduate coordinator at [email protected]