Updating Results

The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER)

4.2
  • 500 - 1,000 employees

Graduate Officers (Feb 2026)

Location details

On-site

  • Australia

    Australia

    • Western Australia

      Albany โ€ข Bunbury โ€ข Busselton โ€ข Geraldton โ€ข Kalgoorlie โ€ข Perth

Location

Albany, Bunbury, Busselton

Opening in 5 months

Opportunity details

  • Opportunity typeGraduate Job or Program
  • SalaryAUD 79,156 - 84,977 / Year
  • Number of vacancies10-15 vacancies
  • Application open dateApply by 18 Aug 2025
  • Start dateStart date 2 Feb 2026

Are you looking to build your career and help shape Western Australiaโ€™s future? 

Are you passionate about our environment and sustainable development? 

Would you like to be part of a team that values the practice of intergenerational care for Country by our First Nations people? 

Thenโ€ฆ choose your environment โ€ฆ choose us 

Our department is on the forefront of environmental legislation, sustainability and developing responses to climate change. We are aโ€ฏplace of opportunityโ€ฏwhere the work is meaningful and makes an impact in our community and State for a better and more sustainable future.โ€ฏ 

Our 12-month program aims to build the skills, experience and networks required for a successful career in the Western Australian public sector and our customised rotation plan, designed around our needs and your interests, provides you with opportunities to experience and work on state-wide projects and initiatives. 

We work closely with leaders in the mining, engineering, transport, resource, urban and regional planning and development, tourism, construction, and agricultural sectors.โ€ฏ We partner with local and state industry, Traditional Owners and educational institutions and have a global presence in our programs and projects.โ€ฏ 

You will also be joining an organisation that leans into its values-based culture which reflects who we are and how we go about business. 

We care | We build trust | Better together | Open minds | We serve to make a difference 

What we are looking for in our prospective Graduates 

People with a growth-oriented mindset, committed to lifelong learning, and developing their expertise and networks. 

People who have graduated in the last two years with a bachelorโ€™s degree in disciplines relevant to our work are encouraged to apply. This includes areas of study relevant to environmental sciences, hydro-engineering and hydrogeology, data analytics and modelling, science communication, legal, cultural, or political studies, project management or corporate services. 

Our department is committed to creating and maintaining a diverse workforce that reflects the community we serve, and an inclusive culture where all employees feel valued, respected and connected. The diversity of our workforce is our strength; it enhances our ability to be forward-thinking. โ€ฏ 

Our graduate program is an equity, diversity and youth initiative, and we encourage applications from: 

  • People 24 years and under
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
  • People living with disability
  • Women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths disciplines).

What we can offer you 

Our department offers an attractive remuneration, great employment benefits, personal and professional learning opportunities, regional benefits, flexible work and a variety of leave options including Cultural leave.  You can find more information on the benefits in our application information pack.

Specifically, you can expect: 

  • A 12-month fixed term contract from 2 February 2026 commencing at Level 3, $79,156 per annum plus superannuation
  • Permanent appointment commencing February 2027, subject to performance evaluation and successful completion of our graduate learning and development program
  • Customised rotational opportunities to build your skills and expertise including opportunities to travel around the state.
  • 12-month Young Professionals membership with the Institute of Public Administration Associates (IPAA)
  • Comprehensive mentoring and support network with skilled and diverse professionals
  • Ongoing support from our very own Youth Outreach Understanding Networking Group (YOUNG)
  • Flexible working hours

Additionally, all suitable applicants that are not selected into the Graduate Program will remain in a recruitment pool for a period of 12 months, during which time other fixed term or permanent job opportunities at DWER may be offered. 

Ready toโ€ฏchoose your environmentโ€ฏโ€“ Hereโ€™s how to apply 

Just four easy steps: 

  1. Ensure your CV is up to date and includes two referees. These two people will need to be able to comment on your skills and abilities. This may be a current or previous work supervisor, or an academic supervisor such as a lecturer or tutor.
  2. Have an electronic copy of your academic transcript and evidence you have completed a relevant undergraduate qualification in the last two years (2023 โ€“ 2025).
  3. Write a cover letter (no more than two pages) which speaks to us about your interests in our work and this program and how it aligns with your studies, your values and career goals.

Please Note:โ€ฏ 

  • You must be an Australian Citizen or permanent resident at the time you lodge your application
  • DWER conducts employment screening which may include National Criminal history

Access Needs 

If you have any access needs that may require adjustment to allow you to fully participate in the recruitment process, including alternate methods of communication, or accessing documents in an alternative format please contactโ€ฏgraduates@dwer.wa.gov.au. 

We use the National Relay Service (NRS) to ensure we are accessible to people who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment. NRS can help you connect with us on: 

  • TTY/voice calls โ€“ 133 677
  • Speak & Listen โ€“ 1300 555 727
  • SMS relay โ€“ 0423 677 767

We canโ€™t wait to hear from you! 

Youโ€™ll be joining a teamโ€ฏmaking a difference

Pre-register now and we will let you know once this opportunity opens!

Work rights

The opportunity is available to applicants in any of the following categories.

Work light flag
Australia
Australian Citizen โ€ข Australian Permanent Resident

Qualifications & other requirements

You should have or be completing the following to apply for this opportunity.

Degree or Certificate
Qualification level
Qualification level
Bachelor or higher
Study field
Study field (any)

AND

Degree or Certificate
Qualification level
Qualification level
Bachelor (Honours) or higher
Study field
Study field (any)

AND

Degree or Certificate
Qualification level
Qualification level
Masters (Research) or higher
Study field
Study field (any)

Hiring criteria

  • Experience requirementNo experience required
  • Working rights
    Australian Citizen
  • Study fields
    Sciences
  • Degree typesBachelor or higher
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Reviews

user
Graduate
Perth
โ€ข
7 months ago

Drafting licence and works approvals and decision reports, reviewing environmental compliance reports

user
Graduate
Perth
โ€ข
7 months ago

I rotate throughout the department into different roles so my day-to-day responsibilities change over time. Currently, I am undertaking two literature reviews for two projects and have previously developed a guide for Electric Vehicle users for the Departments webpage.

user
Graduate
Perth
โ€ข
a year ago

I am responsible for responding to pollution and HAZMAT incidents, which is exciting and gets me out of the office. I also am responsible for managing environmental incidents through desktop assessments.

Show all reviews

About the employer

dewr logo

The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER)

Rating

4.2

Number of employees

500 - 1,000 employees

Industries

Government & Public Service

DWER support Western Australiaโ€™s community, economy and environment by managing and regulating the stateโ€™s environment and water resources.

Pros and cons of working at The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER)

Pros

  • Amazing colleagues and support network, great atmosphere due to the open-plan design of the office, and excellent in-house facilities available to staff (i.e., staff hub, free Wi-Fi, recreation room, etc.).

  • Through the graduate program, there are plenty of options for training, development and support.

  • Meaningful work as well as a flexible working environment.

  • The pay is good and working conditions are great in my team.

Cons

    • Probably the time frames. As with many public sector roles, it can often take a while for things to be approved or reviewed which can be frustrating when you have a customer facing role.

    • Recruitment processes take a while.

    • The commute! The DWER main office is in Joondalup - thus, those living south of the river have to commute over 1 hour + every day to get to work!

    • Remuneration.

    • Your experience at DWER depends on your team. Some teams are heavily overworked and suffer from micromanagement.