Several public service departments will boost their graduate intake in 2016 with two planning to double the number of entry level positions in a bid to restructure their workforces.
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In late June, tight restrictions on recruitment in the public service were lifted as the Public Service Commission handed control of hiring back to individual departments and agencies.
As a result, a cap on recruiting graduates and other entry-level employees was scrapped and all job opportunities were opened to public competition.
The Department of Agriculture will nearly double its graduate intake in 2016 with 50 positions up for grabs compared with 26 in 2015, and 27 in 2014.
"There are a range of factors that influence the number of graduate program positions offered each year, including resourcing and budgetary considerations," a department spokeswoman said.
The Department of Social Services is also expected to double the 52 graduates accepted this year to about 100 entry level positions next year.
"The graduate intake levels have remained steady during 2013-15 to meet an ongoing demand to fill critical job roles to meet departmental priorities," a spokesman said.
During a Senate estimates hearing in June, department secretary Finn Pratt said the recruitment drive was "a very important mechanism ... to make sure we have the succession for the future lined up right across the board in the department".
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is looking to boost its notoriously competitive graduate intake from 43 in 2015 to between 45 and 50.
"The recruitment process for the 2016 graduate round is still in progress - there will be an announcement regarding the number of graduates in due course," a DFAT spokeswoman said.
Earlier this year, department boss Peter Varghese warned the 2015 graduate cohort was not to think of themselves as too special among their fellow bureaucrats.
Two months later, four DFAT graduates from the 2014 intake were asked to serve drinks and nibbles at a pre-budget party hosted by Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop.
The graduate intake at the Attorney-General's department is set to remain steady about 50 positions and the Department of Finance is set to employ 20-30 graduates.
Graduate positions at the Department of Human Services are also likely to remain steady at about 100 places with most professional stream places dedicated to those with ICT specialities.
In June, the Public Service Commission said the government "remains committed to managing the size of the public sector".
"The modified arrangements return responsibility to agency heads to manage the size of their workforces – including recruitment activity – in line with government expectations," the commission said.
The government used its May budget to announce the effective end of its efforts to shed public service jobs.
