Transport for NSW Graduate Programs & Scholarships

You probably already know a bit about Transport for NSW. We’re a government organisation that leads the development of safe, integrated and efficient transport systems such as road, rail and maritime networks to keep New South Wales moving.

But there’s much more to Transport than just transport.

Think of us as a hybrid car. On the outside we’re a vehicle that helps you get from A to B. But pop the bonnet and you’ll find what drives us – reliability, community values and a commitment to innovation. We generate a lot of cool stuff – complex, cutting-edge projects, technology and programs that are constantly pushing the boundaries.

Right now, we’re delivering the largest transport infrastructure program in Australia’s history. That means more job opportunities than ever before in metropolitan and regional areas right across the state – and your chance to make a lasting impact that will benefit generations to come.

Are you a recent or soon-to-be university graduate? Our Graduate Program could be for you.

These are just some of the things that make our Graduate Program great. Join the team at Transport for NSW to see for yourself.

Details

Disciplines

We are looking for people from a range of disciplines including engineering, information technology, science and business. 

Location

Roles are available in and around metropolitan Sydney and regional New South Wales, with regional headquarters in Grafton, Newcastle, Parkes, Nowra and Wagga Wagga. 

Work Conditions

You will be required to work Monday to Friday, for a minimum of 35 hours a week. 

Depending on your placement you may have the opportunity to work flexibly. This could mean working staggered hours, using additional hours towards a day off, or working from home.

Graduates receive an annual salary at Transport Grade 4a. For up to date information about this salary grade, check the job ad when it goes live via jobs.transport.nsw.gov.au

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply, you must have completed your university undergraduate degree within the last two years or be in your final year of study. At the time of commencing the Graduate program, you must have completed all your course requirements. The program usually starts in January each year.

You must also have Australian or New Zealand citizenship, or Australian permanent residency.

Are you currently studying an undergraduate degree at university and looking for flexible paid work? You might be a great candidate for our Cadet Program.

These are just some of the things that make our Cadet Program great. Join the team at Transport for NSW to see for yourself.

Details

This is a one-year or two-year program, depending on whether you are in your second-last (penultimate) or final year of study when you join. Students in their penultimate year will join a two-year program, and students in their final year will join a one-year program.

Disciplines 

We are looking for people from a range of disciplines including engineering, information technology, science and business. 

Location 

Roles are available in and around metropolitan Sydney and regional New South Wales, with regional headquarters in Grafton, Newcastle, Parkes, Nowra and Wagga Wagga. 

Work Conditions

During university semesters/trimesters, you’ll be required to work Monday to Friday for a minimum of 14 hours a week. During university breaks you’ll work a minimum of 35 hours a week.

Cadets receive an annual salary at Transport Grade 1a (pro rata). For up-to-date information about this salary grade, check the job ad when it goes live via jobs.transport.nsw.gov.au

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply, you must be entering your penultimate or final year of a university undergraduate degree at the time of starting the Cadet Program. The program usually starts in January each year.

You must also be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, or have Australian permanent residency.

Are you currently studying for your Higher School Certificate (HSC) or in the early stages of your undergraduate degree at university, and looking for flexible paid work that will propel your career forward? Our Scholar Program could be a great option for you.

These are just some of the things that make our Scholar Program great. Join the team at Transport for NSW to see for yourself.

Details

This is a three-year to five-year program, depending on the length of your undergraduate degree.  

The biggest perk of all? Earn a credit average in your university degree and we’ll reimburse your course fees.

Disciplines

We are looking for people from a range of disciplines, including engineering, information technology and science. 

Location

Roles are available in and around metropolitan Sydney and regional New South Wales, with regional headquarters in Grafton, Newcastle, Parkes, Nowra and Wagga Wagga. 

Work Conditions

You will be required to work Monday to Friday, for a minimum of 35 hours a week during university breaks. During university semesters/trimesters you have the option to work a minimum of 14 hours a week.

Scholars receive an annual salary at Transport Grade 1a (pro rata). For up-to-date information about this salary grade, check the job ad when it goes live via jobs.transport.nsw.gov.au

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply, you must be entering the first or second year of your university undergraduate degree at the time of starting the Scholar Program. The program usually starts in January each year.

You must also be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, or have Australian permanent residency.

Choosing which series to stream tonight is hard. Choosing your career path can be even harder.

Maybe you already know exactly what you want to do. Perhaps you have no idea yet. Or maybe you sit somewhere in between. Let us help you discover what it is that you love to do, through our programs.

Our Entry Level Talent Programs offer the opportunity to join an organisation of more than 27,000 people working in all kinds of roles in metropolitan and regional locations all over New South Wales. This is your chance to discover what makes you tick and make a difference right across the state.

Our programs cater to whatever stage you’re at. Some people join us as Scholars or Cadets and go on to our Graduate Program. Others join as VET and Humanitarian Cadets and move into ongoing employment. Take your career in the direction you want and start your journey with Transport for NSW.

To find out more about our Aboriginal VET Cadet, Aboriginal HSC Scholarship and Humanitarian Cadet program, email [email protected]

Read our brochure here to learn more about our programs, benefits and support available.

We’re building the future for the people of New South Wales, and we want to be there to support you as you build yours. 

Placement Manager

When you join our Entry Level Talent Programs you’ll be introduced to your Placement Manager who’ll work within your allocated team. They’ll support you by assigning you suitable work, helping you build relationships across the business, providing technical experience and development and goal-making advice, signing timesheets, and answering any questions you have along the way. 

Program Manager 

You’ll also be supported by a Program Manager. They’ll help with allocating you to suitable teams for your placements, setting up mock-interviews, and supporting you when you’re applying for ongoing roles towards the end of your program. They’ll also be there to answer any program related questions, offer coaching support and advice and check in regularly to see how you’re going.  

Both your Placement Manager and Program Manager work together to provide you with a positive program experience. 

Health and Wellbeing

We are committed to providing a healthy workplace for our people, both mentally and physically. This includes a range of initiatives to promote wellness across our organisation as part of our Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

• Fitness Passport provides discounted access to more than 400 gyms, pools and recreational centres across NSW for employees and their families.
• We host regular health and wellbeing workshops. 
• The Employee Assistance Program provides free support and counselling for employees and their families.
• We offer free annual influenza vaccinations.

The application process varies from program to program. Yours may involve some or all of the below steps.

Put your best food forward in your application and interview

Before submitting your application, make sure you:

Should your application progress, spend time preparing and practicing for your interview:

• Read the NSW Public Sector Capability Framework
• Research the STAR interview method, where you describe the Situation, Task, Action and Result in each answer
• Practice answering interview questions
• And don’t panic! We all get nervous. If you’ve got this far, you’ve already demonstrated your talent and drive. Now just make sure you’re prepared and give it your best shot.

We’re diverse because you’re diverse

Transport for NSW is deeply committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace where our people can be their whole selves at work. We champion people of all backgrounds, abilities, sexual orientations, gender identities, ages, family statuses and lived experiences. Here we celebrate what sets us apart because it brings us together and moves us forward.

We’ve developed a range of initiatives that support and develop great people from diverse backgrounds, and encourage a culture built on respect.

These include: 

• Gender-balanced interview lists and panels in the recruitment process
• Closely monitoring and reporting on gender pay equity
• Measuring the success of how we support the employment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people living with a disability, and women in underrepresented roles
• Accelerating progress for gender equality through the Male Champions of Change Program and our employee reference group, the WiSE Network (Women in STEM and Construction Network)
• Striving for 50:50 gender representation across our Entry Level Talent Programs
• Reducing barriers for employment through our Jobs for People with Disability Action Plan
• Delivering our Reconciliation Action Plan to bring about better employment, economic and social outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

We’re diverse because you’re diverse

Inclusion means valuing and supporting all of our employees, including those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and people with other gender identities and sexual orientations. Our Ally Employee Network plays an important role in advocating for diversity to ensure our workplace is safe and inclusive for everyone. Each year, Transport promotes awareness through a number of events and programs, including Mardi Gras, Wear it Purple Day and International Day Against Homophobia, Interphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT).

We’re diverse because you’re diverse

Transport has a longstanding commitment to driving gender equality across our organisation, empowering people of all genders to have access to the same opportunities.

To help achieve this, we have a focus on attracting, retaining and developing people of all genders. We have gender targets that we track and monitor progress on a monthly basis, we have a requirement for gender-balanced interview lists, we review our role descriptions and job ads to identify any biased language or pre-requisites, and we encourage flexible ways of working as a key enabler. We also strive for 50:50 gender representation across our Entry Level Talent Programs.

Transport is also a member of the Male Champions of Change Program to accelerate progress for gender equality. Our employee reference group, the WiSE Network (Women in STEM and Construction Network), also plays an important role in connecting and supporting women, providing guidance to help attract and retain and build a pipeline from students to future leaders.

There are also a variety of programs, events and initiatives for all to be involved in and support gender equality.

We’re diverse because you’re diverse

We continue to reduce and eliminate the barriers preventing employees and customers from actively participating in employment, education, recreation and community life. We understand a disability can be visible and invisible and actively provide support and guidance for those living with a disability and those providing care. Our Disability Employee Network, Enabled Network, provides a voice to people who have lived experience of disability and help inform so that we are truly an inclusive employer and is the largest public sector DEN network. Each year, Transport promotes awareness through events and programs, including International Day of People with a Disability, Mental Health Awareness Week and RUOK Day. We also provide reasonable adjustments in the recruitment process and working arrangements to provide for greater equality.

We’re diverse because you’re diverse

Many of the Transport routes we use today - from rail lines, to roads, to water crossings – follow the traditional Songlines, trade routes and ceremonial paths that our nation’s First Peoples followed for tens of thousands of years. We are committed to working towards reconciliation and continue to recognise the spiritual connection Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have to Country.

Our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is the largest of its type and will bring about better employment, economic and social outcomes for Aboriginal Peoples.

Read more about the important steps we are taking to better support our people and communities. We have a strong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce and are committed to having more people join us and become an integral part of the Transport family.