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Alcoa Australia

4.0
  • 1,000 - 50,000 employees

Alcoa Australia Graduate Programs & Internships

  • Mining, Oil & Gas

Our Purpose: Turn Raw Potential Into Real Progress

At Alcoa, we turn ideas into innovation. Impossibility into impact. What if, into what is. We are unlocking the value inside our people and processes to change the industry and shape the world we live in.

We're a global company with operations and locations across six continents and nine countries,  we are known worldwide as a values-based company. 

With best-in-class bauxite mining and rehabilitation practices, the lowest carbon alumina refining system on the planet, game-changing innovations in aluminium smelting, and the industry’s most comprehensive portfolio of low-carbon products, Alcoa is working to reinvent the aluminium industry for a sustainable future.

Our flagship product, aluminium, is the world’s metal of choice. It is lightweight, strong, flexible and 100% recyclable, making it an essential
part of a modern, low-carbon world.

Did you know? Alcoa aluminium was used in the Wright brothers' first flight, in the first aluminium-sheathed skyscraper, the first all-aluminium vehicle frame and the first aluminium beer can.

Alcoa has been operating in Australia for nearly 60 years, providing long-term careers to people working and living in communities close to where our Western Australian and Victorian operations are based. 

Alcoa's Australian operations support some 4,250 direct jobs, predominantly in regional Australia and close to major centres in Perth, Mandurah and Bunbury, so it’s possible to enjoy the benefits of working in the resources industry without working Fly-In-Fly-Out (FIFO). 

We provide our people with some of the most unique technical challenges in the aluminium industry. Employees embrace leading-edge technology as we advance our operations, digitally connect our workers and increase efficiencies to make Alcoa a better and safer workplace. 

Our culture

At Alcoa, we embrace change, and new ideas and promote a culture of respect and equal opportunity. 

Our employment programs, which are underpinned by diversity and equality, continue to be recognised and rewarded for their inclusive nature.  

We believe in creating purposeful work environments that are inclusive and welcoming. We know there’s power in our diverse ideas and perspectives and that approach to an everyone culture helps everyone do their best work and unleash the ingenuity that’s within. That’s why we’re values-led, vision-driven and united by our purpose of transforming raw potential into real progress.

Through our inclusion strategy, we have several company-wide employee resource groups including the Alcoa Women’s Network, EAGLE (Employees at Alcoa for Gay, Lesbian [Bisexual and Transgender] Equality), our Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group, and AWARE (Alcoans Working Actively for Racial-Ethnic Equality). Each group focuses on increasing awareness and employee engagement by providing useful information and resources, a support network and fun group activities.

By taking inclusion and diversity seriously, we believe we will attract open-minded people who will live our values, innovate and challenge the status quo, and create a better future workplace culture and experience.  

Social Contribution

We’re proud of our commitment to responsible environmental, social, and governance practices, and our ambition toward Net Zero is an extension of our ongoing efforts toward decarbonization. 

Alcoa constantly strives to meet and exceed community expectations and good corporate citizenship.  Established in 1952, the Alcoa Foundation works to protect and preserve the environment by building partnerships and educating tomorrow’s leaders.

Alcoa Foundation supports programs that create sustainable value for the communities where we operate. Our goal is to contribute to programs that protect and preserve the environment while also promoting equitable access to education and skills-building opportunities.

We are recognised leaders in sustainability, and our know-how in mine rehabilitation and biodiversity conservation gives us access to valuable resources in highly protected areas, such as the Jarrah forest in Western Australia.

We want the communities closest to our operations to thrive, and we view our presence as an opportunity to help develop sustainable economic activity, environmental practices and social programs.

From our earliest beginnings, we have opened our doors, people’s eyes and students’ minds, sharing an insight into the technology and ingenuity that transforms bauxite into a lightweight, shining aluminium. 

We hold formal consultation forums in local areas, employ dedicated Community Relations Officers across all operations and deliver free tours of our mines and refineries.

In 2020, 83 per cent of our total Australian revenue stayed in the country through wages, local purchasing, taxes, royalties, capital investment and dividends to Australian shareholders. $4.6 million was invested in a wide variety of Australian community programs. 

What it's like to work here

Around the world, we share common goals:

  • We empower our people to make continuous improvements.
  • We create an environment in which all employees develop and contribute to their full potential.
  • We embrace diversity at all levels, believing that superior company performance requires a variety of employee experiences, backgrounds and characteristics.
  • We reward and recognise outstanding results.
  • From day one, we support every employee to contribute and make a difference.

Our Locations

Alcoa’s Western Australian operations include:

  • Two corporate offices (Booragoon and Peel)
  • Two bauxite mines (Huntly and Willowdale)
  • Three alumina refineries (Kwinana, Pinjarra and Wagerup)
  • Two dedicated port facilities (Kwinana and Bunbury)

     And in Victoria:

  • One aluminium smelter (Portland)

Recruitment Process

Alcoa's recruitment process for graduate roles involves:

  • Submission of an online application including your current resume, cover letter and academic transcript.
  • Completion a short online video interview of approx. 10 mins (all our videos are reviewed personally by Talent Acquisition Consultants).
  • Completion of psychometric testing, involving aptitude and behavioural testing (approx. 1-1.5hrs).
  • Attendance at an Assessment Centre (ideally face to face but potentially virtually) involving a case study presentation, team building activity and an interview.
  • Reference checking.
  • Pre-employment medical.

Our successful graduates have the following attributes:

  • Self-starters with initiative.
  • Strong communication and well-developed people skills.
  • Analytical and open-minded.
  • Creative and collaborative problem-solving approaches.

Remuneration & Career Growth

  • Receive amazing employee benefits and an attractive remuneration.
  • Industry leading superannuation and parental leave scheme.
  • A Benefits allowance and a variable performance related bonus.
  • Enjoy a leisure day off in each four-week period to enable a positive work-life balance.
  • Take part in monthly ‘Graduate Days’ and team building activities.
  • Paid annual volunteer hours.
  • A permanent long-term career.
  • Employee groups including the Social Club, Alcoa Women’s Network and EAGLE (Employees at Alcoa for Gay, Lesbian, bisexual and transgender Equality).

About Our Opportunities:

Alcoa’s Graduate Program

Alcoa offers the opportunity to gain a head-start to your career
by working locally for a sustainably focused and inclusive company
that is helping shape the world we live in. 

Our three-year full-time Graduate Program is just the beginning of an exciting long-term career path where you will never stop learning, growing and innovating.

Working alongside seasoned professionals and rotating across our corporate offices, bauxite mines, alumina refineries and/or aluminium smelter, you will use your degree to make a real difference as we reinvent the aluminium industry for a sustainable future.

Our graduate roles are as diverse as the people who work for us. From mining, chemical and electrical engineers to specialists in health and safety, environmental science, procurement, finance and more! 

All graduate roles transition into permanent employment as graduates are seen as our future leaders.

Alcoa’s Summer Vacation Student Program

Gain practical experience in your chosen field while still studying your university degree by taking part in Alcoa’s 12-week paid summer vacation program. Running from November to February, you will work full-time alongside talented Alcoans who will mentor and support you daily, while providing insight into where your degree can take you.
Many of our ‘Vac Students’ are chosen for our Graduate Program too so if you have passion, ambition and initiative, join us and get a taste of what it is like to work at Alcoa!

Recruitment for the summer vacation program usually commences in May or June each year.

Graduate Reviews

Overall Score
4.0
Overall score based on 13 reviews
They Score Best in…
8.8
Career Prospects
8.7
Culture
8.1
Satisfaction
8.8
Career Prospects
8.7
Culture
8.1
Satisfaction
What Graduates Say About Them
  • The graduate programme is very supportive, with regular development days and social events. There's a strong focus on training and mentorship for early-career graduates. The opportunity to rotate through a number of different environments, from the corporate office working on approvals and strategy to refinery and mining, all while being home with the family every night, Also, flexible working arrangements (subject to position requirements) are well supported.
  • Alcoa is very inclusive and accepting, and as well as this, it provides great benefits to employees.
  • Lots of support from my direct supervisor and fellow employees. The process is also very dynamic and there is always something exciting and new to work on each day
  • The people: I work with a great bunch of people, some with many decades of experience. There's a lot of people who started out their careers at Alcoa and who know the company and process really well, providing a good base of people to learn from and be mentored by.
  • Technical hands-on experience that you will get, even as an entry-level graduate, as well as responsibility and the opportunity to add real value to the business that is very tangible.
  • Currently a lack of electrical engineers, which forces me to tackle problems I don't have much experience with, which is partly a good thing.
  • The company has a lot of people who have been here for many years, and although this is a good thing as people want to continue working here, it means there are a lot of roles where one person is responsible, which doesn't make handing over jobs easy and there is less room for changes and improvements.
  • I live north of Perth, so it's a bit of a drive to get to work, so I'd say the amount of travel to and from work is probably the worst thing (but that's because I choose to live at home while being a graduate).
  • Weekend checks.
  • Travel time.

Jobs & Opportunities

Locations With Jobs & Opportunities
  • WA (Perth and Regional WA) and VIC (Portland)
Hiring candidates with qualifications in
B
Business & Management
C
Creative Arts
E
Engineering & Mathematics
H
Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences
I
IT & Computer Science
L
Law, Legal Studies & Justice
M
Medical & Health Sciences
P
Property & Built Environment
S
Sciences

Graduate Success Stories


  • Graduate stories
I am responsible for researching technological improvements to the Bayer Process to help the company grow and sustain our current practices locally and globally.

Calum McMulkin

  • Graduate stories
I am responsible for researching technological improvements to the Bayer Process to help the company grow and sustain our current practices locally and globally.

Calum McMulkin

  • Graduate stories
I love working with data. I spend a lot of time on Excel and our trending software looking for patterns and trying to understand what’s happening in the process.

Katie Marshall

  • Graduate stories
I love working with data. I spend a lot of time on Excel and our trending software looking for patterns and trying to understand what’s happening in the process.

Katie Marshall

  • Graduate stories
I am responsible for researching technological improvements to the Bayer Process to help the company grow and sustain our current practices locally and globally.

Calum McMulkin

  • Graduate stories
I am responsible for researching technological improvements to the Bayer Process to help the company grow and sustain our current practices locally and globally.

Calum McMulkin

  • Graduate stories
I love working with data. I spend a lot of time on Excel and our trending software looking for patterns and trying to understand what’s happening in the process.

Katie Marshall

  • Graduate stories
I love working with data. I spend a lot of time on Excel and our trending software looking for patterns and trying to understand what’s happening in the process.

Katie Marshall

A Day In The Life Of


  • Day in the life

Elysha Maxwell

Elysha Maxwell graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical and Electronics)(First Class Hons) from Curtin University in 2018 and is now working as an Electrical Engineer at Alcoa Australia.
  • Day in the life

Elysha Maxwell

Elysha Maxwell graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical and Electronics)(First Class Hons) from Curtin University in 2018 and is now working as an Electrical Engineer at Alcoa Australia.
  • Day in the life

Brendan Farrell

Brendan Farrell studied a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering (First Class Honours), 2016 at the Curtin University, and is now a Chemical Engineer at Alcoa Australia
  • Day in the life

Brendan Farrell

Brendan Farrell studied a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering (First Class Honours), 2016 at the Curtin University, and is now a Chemical Engineer at Alcoa Australia
  • Day in the life

Elysha Maxwell

Elysha Maxwell graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical and Electronics)(First Class Hons) from Curtin University in 2018 and is now working as an Electrical Engineer at Alcoa Australia.
  • Day in the life

Elysha Maxwell

Elysha Maxwell graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical and Electronics)(First Class Hons) from Curtin University in 2018 and is now working as an Electrical Engineer at Alcoa Australia.
  • Day in the life

Brendan Farrell

Brendan Farrell studied a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering (First Class Honours), 2016 at the Curtin University, and is now a Chemical Engineer at Alcoa Australia
  • Day in the life

Brendan Farrell

Brendan Farrell studied a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering (First Class Honours), 2016 at the Curtin University, and is now a Chemical Engineer at Alcoa Australia

Videos


Producing Endless Possibilities: Alcoa Global Bauxite

Safe, Efficient, Sustainable: Alcoa Global Bauxite is one of the world's largest producers with strategic placement near key Atlantic and Pacific markets.

Alcoa Chemical engineer

Chemical engineers design and oversee plants and factories that process raw materials into useful products.

Producing Endless Possibilities: Alcoa Global Bauxite

Safe, Efficient, Sustainable: Alcoa Global Bauxite is one of the world's largest producers with strategic placement near key Atlantic and Pacific markets.

Alcoa Chemical engineer

Chemical engineers design and oversee plants and factories that process raw materials into useful products.