THE National Disability Insurance Agency has a graduate development program – a career opportunity within the Australian public service.
“We welcome applications from graduates with a range of academic skills and qualifications who are passionate about social inclusion and diversity,” according to an NDIS spokesperson.
As part of the 12 month program successful applicants get the chance to “contribute to meaningful work supporting Australians living with disability to have greater participation in the community and the economy”.
They also join the Australian Public Service Graduate Development Program, which is delivered by the APS Academy.
“This program is integrated within the NDIA Graduate Program and develops the foundational skills, behaviours, mindsets and networks graduates need to make a significant contribution in the APS,” the spokesperson said.
“Graduates gain broad experience and exposure to different business areas through rotations within the National Disability Insurance Agency to advance their technical skills
build strong professional networks at the NDIA and in the APS.”
Another outcome is an accelerated career pathway and promotion to APS5 on successful completion of the NDIA Graduate Program.
As part of the program, graduates attend 10 day learning sprints.
The sprints consist of various seminars, forums and discussion groups focused on a diverse range of topics.
Jessie, one of the people involved in the program, shared her experience of working as a graduate saying it had given her the opportunity “to learn new things across a range of NDIA business areas”.
One of the sprints she attended was about ‘agents of change’, highlighting different models of change at both organisational and individual levels.
“At the agents of change sprint, I presented on the topic of neurodiversity and inclusion through change.”
Jessie is a person with autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. She shared a combination of theory and lived experience about what neurodiversity means.
Her current focus at work is accessibility testing in PACE, an important system used in the Agency.
“I test new features during the build phase before they go live,” she said.
“As a dark mode and screen reader user myself, I can help ensure our platforms are accessible to all users.”
