Government employment benefits
Employees of the Department of Human Services can enjoy a whole range of generous Victorian government employment benefits, from attractive salaries and flexible leave arrangements, to training and development opportunities.
And what's more, you'll have the satisfaction of knowing the work you do contributes to making Victoria a stronger, healthier, more caring and innovative State.
Career opportunities
The Department of Human Services is an attractive and interesting place to work. Whether you¿re a person looking for a career change, a graduate or currently working in the private sector, the department offers so many opportunities. We attract high quality, passionate people at all levels to all our myriad of jobs. Our career structure makes sure that you can enjoy real professional development and opportunity.
Learning and development
The department has a high quality workforce supported by training and development opportunities to help you gain qualifications and skills that are portable and develop your talents.
Build your existing qualifications and skills through your annual planning and performance management planning. This may involve study for formal qualifications (supported by study leave to prepare for and attend examinations) or attending conferences and seminars to keep up to date with all the latest developments.
For emerging and existing leaders, the department offers high quality leadership development programs. For example, each year a number of employees are supported to attend the Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG). The school is a 'centre of excellence' and offers programs to emerging public sector leaders.
Salaries and superannuation
You'll find the salary range for jobs you are interested in when you explore job vacancies in this web site. Our graded career structure rewards your performance with progression to the next salary grade. Your individual performance expectations are set out in a performance plan, agreed between you and your supervisor.
Salary packaging allows you to use pre-tax dollars to 'top up' superannuation, access a novated leased vehicle for full private use or take out discounted private health insurance cover. Other tax effective work-related and deductible items are offered, such as professional membership fees and home office expenses.
Direct employer contributions are made to an approved superannuation fund, under the Superannuation Guarantee legislation. Your superannuation can also be 'topped up' to a complying accumulation fund of your choice.
Balancing work and life
We support you in achieving a balance between your work life and home life. Subject to your manager¿s approval, part-time work, job sharing, home-based work and additional purchased annual leave can add more flexibility to your lifestyle.
Comprehensive leave provisions
Victorian Government offers an extensive range of leave provisions. If you are employed under the Victorian Public Service Agreement 2006, these include:
- Annual leave (known as Recreation leave) - 152 hours or four weeks paid leave is provided per year. Such leave can be taken at half pay. An additional loading payment of 17.5 per cent of annual salary is made, when the leave taken.
- Sick Leave - 114 hours or three week paid sick leave is provided on the anniversary of your appointment to the department. Sick leave is cumulative. Sick leave provisions allow for up to 76 hour's absence over the year without the requirement of a doctor's certificate.
- Long Service Leave - After 10 years continuous service you are entitled to three months leave on full pay. You have pro rata access to Long Service Leave after seven years. Any additional leave is accrued on a pro rata basis thereafter. Prior service with other approved Government organisations may be recognised for Long Service Leave purposes.
- Paid Maternity and Paternity Leave - Fourteen weeks paid maternity leave and up to 38 weeks unpaid leave is available after a qualifying period. Fathers do not miss out, with one week's paternity leave with the birth of a child, plus up to 51 weeks unpaid parental leave, if you are the primary caregiver.
- Special Leave - You can apply for a range of leave provisions including carer's leave, to cover immediate family helper needs; compassionate leave, in the event of death or serious illness; adoption leave; defence force leave; jury service leave; cultural leave; union training and Occupational health and Safety training.
Employment Agreements
The terms of employment in the Victorian Public Service are in accordance with the Public Administration Act 2004. All employees of the Victorian Public Service are bound by the Code of Conduct.
Employment conditions and benefits for the Department of Human Services are governed by two industrial agreements certified by the Australian Industrial Relations Commission. The agreements are underpinned by Federal Awards and cover a range of entitlements such as remuneration, hours of duty including rosters (where applicable), leave and allowances.
The Agreements for public sector workers are:
Community and Public Sector roles
This will apply if you obtain employment in the areas of Child Protection, Youth Justice, Housing and the majority of middle senior management roles and any of the corporate support roles.
- Download the Victorian Public Service Agreement 2006 [PDF, 688 kb].
Disability Service Workers
This will apply if you obtain employment as a direct service worker in Disability. Some Health Professional roles are also covered by this agreement.
Probation
All employees new to the Victorian Public Service are subject to the satisfactory performance of a three-month probationary period.
For fixed term employees the full probationary period applies if employment is for three months or more. Where the contract is less than three months the whole period will be considered probationary. If a further contract follows, the period of probation already served shall be taken into account.
If, during the probationary period, issues with your conduct or performance are identified, the initial probationary period of three months may be extended by a period of not more than three months to allow you the opportunity to address the conduct or performance issues.