Updating Results

Department of Social Services

3.8
  • 1,000 - 50,000 employees

Department of Social Services Reviews

Based on 43 surveyed graduates working at Department of Social Services. Read on to get an insider’s view on life as a graduate.
3.8
Based on 43 reviews

Pros & Cons

  • The friendly atmosphere, the people you get to work with, the opportunities to be challenged and work on issues that affect our community.
  • You get to work across a wide range of communications areas
  • There are many good things about DSS. There is the flexibility, a great friendly culture, opportunities to gain experience in other roles within the department & good working conditions.
  • You get a sense of helping vulnerable people through targeted policies / programs / initiatives
  • The breadth of policy issues that DSS is responsible for - it offers a wide variety and plenty of opportunities to work in different areas.
  • Government of the day changing the agenda
  • Like all large organisations, the bureaucracy to do certain things.
  • I miss living in a big city! Don't necessarily get a say as to where you are placed.
  • Working in the Australian Public Service involves adhering to a lot of bureaucratic processes.

What Insiders Say

6.7
Career Prospects
6.7
Career Prospects
I worked hard and won a promotion, however, I'm still doing work above my level which I haven't been rewarded for.
6.8
Corporate Social Responsibility
6.8
Corporate Social Responsibility
There is vague talk about this and in some areas (notably Women's Safety) we're alright but the rank and file seem to view corporate responsibility as an unnecessary hurdle.
7.9
Culture
7.9
Culture
Relaxed, a friendly culture that respects the other priorities in your life
8.1
Diversity
8.1
Diversity
From what I've seen the Department has been very accommodating to women. There also appears to be a considerable amount of women and mothers in the department filling a variety of roles including management. The department seems to be very understanding if a mother has to leave to care for her child, or has to start/finish work at particular times because of her child's needs. The department does employ a very large portion of people from a variety of ethnic backgrounds, and I am aware of staff members who are from a LGBT background. All a treated with complete respect.
7.5
Satisfaction
7.5
Satisfaction
Variety and challenge. The workload varies in response to Government and Ministerial needs but is often exciting.
7.2
Management
7.2
Management
Immediate managers are very hands on and accessible. There are regular updates from higher level management as well.
7.1
Office Work Environment
7.1
Office Work Environment
I've found the office's very comfortable. The set ups at the desks allow for some adjustments to suits an individual's physical needs. There are a several different office's located around Canberra (and the also some in the States). The facilities are also to a good standard. The dress code varies throughout the Department as different Sections have different dress codes. Usual business attire is the most standard (e.g. long black pants, collared shirt, no ties).
7.1
Recruitment
7.1
Recruitment
Behavioural (STAR) type questions. Questions about work experience and ones designed to determine cultural fit.
8.2
Salary
8.2
Salary
Payscales are very fair, and conditions quite good. No opportunities for bonuses however.
7.1
Training
7.1
Training
The Department offers some in-house training which is pretty good, but numbers are limited. I have not yet been able to get into a particular course that I would like to do.
8.6
Work Hours
8.6
Work Hours
This varies slightly between areas but generally if you communicate well the culture is fairly flexible. Standard working hours can fall between 7-7 so you generally have the opportunity to start a bit earlier or later if that suits you.
5.9
Sustainability
5.9
Sustainability
There are environmental policies in place, like green waste recycling, paper saving measures etc.