Keen to join our community of change-makers?

Applications for our 2025 Financial Auditor (FA) Graduate cohort is now open.
Applications close 14 April, 2024.
Applications for our 2025 Parliamentary Reports and Services (PRS) Graduate Program is now open. Applications close 7 April, 2024. Click the button below to be directed to the Victorian Government graduate program website.

Who is VAGO?

We are the Victorian Auditor-General's Office, or VAGO, a passionate team of 227 people led by Auditor-General Andrew Greaves.

Our role is to evaluate how well the public sector is using resources to provide services to the people of Victoria. We do this by engaging with and examining government agencies, and reporting to Parliament and the public on what we find.
We also aim to empower the public sector to do things better and provide detailed recommendations where we see issues or opportunities to improve. 

At VAGO we see the bigger picture, ask the tough questions and work hard to create a meaningful impact.

About you and our graduate cohort

Joining our cohort is the perfect steppingstone to help you achieve your career goals and aspirations.

As an incoming VAGO graduate, you will enjoy competitive compensation, radically flexible working arrangements, and a comprehensive benefits package. You will also have meaningful engagement with key stakeholders, both internally and client-facing. 
We know joining us is an investment on your part, and we will invest in you too, with training and coaching, real-world work projects, and plenty of social opportunities!

We’re working hard to build on our already diverse and strong workforce, and we're looking for driven and tenacious individuals in finance, science, education, arts, engineering, technology and more. Is your major on our list? 
Find out now.

The VAGO Difference

Supportive community

We'll help you grow your skills and achieve your career goals.

Career opportunities

Access to future career opportunities only available to people who work in the Victorian Public Service.

Make a tangible impact

Work on innovative projects that make a difference to Victorian public services.

đź‘‹ Hello? Is it you we're looking for?

Our graduates are inquisitive, collaborative and motivated to make things better. They often understand the broader context and importance of the work they deliver and may have particular sector interests, such as education, environment, finance, health, justice, transport and planning or other community services. 

You might be surprised at how diverse our audit teams are. We have people from academic backgrounds, the public service, and from a range of professions. Our hand-picked candidates work with these bright minds and have freedom to explore their own bold ideas and solutions.  

As a graduate, you will learn a lot in your first year of work, building solid foundations for your career journey. 

What's in it for you

As an FA graduate, you’ll:
  • receive a total remuneration package of $75,316 (VPS2.2.1)
  • have hands-on experience working on projects impacting Victorians
  • collaborate with senior professionals
  • receive training programs tailored to your personal and professional goals. 
  • enjoy flexible working arrangements, including working remotely
  • have a best-practice workstation delivered to your home (optional)
  • be given assistance to join a professional accounting organisation, such as a CPA or CA (Accounting and Finance stream grads).
All graduates receive study support, help with their coursework, study time off, and back pay for the classes they pass. 

Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion



We value diversity and aim to have a team that represents the community we serve. We understand that our work has the greatest impact when a variety of experiences and perspectives are involved.

We prioritise hiring the most qualified individuals, regardless of factors such as gender, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation or cultural background.

If you believe you have the required skills and will add to our team, we would be delighted to receive your application.

Please contact us if you need adjustments to the recruitment process or the application material in an alternative format.

Program streams


Choose one stream during this graduate cohort: Auditing Finance or Analysing Performance.

In either of these streams, you will take a deep-dive into the workings of government and the public sector. You will have the challenge of working on significant audits and reviews and the satisfaction of seeing the impact your contribution makes.

Auditing Finance


What you've studied

You can apply to this stream if you have studied in:
  • accounting
  • commerce
  • business management
  • finance
  • banking.
What you’ll do

Financial auditing is the independent examination of government departments and agencies' financial reports. Our audits apply a risk-based approach and provide reasonable assurance to Parliament and our auditees in the appropriate application of agreed accounting guidelines and standards. Your contribution to financial auditing will serve the public interest by promoting trust in the accuracy and completeness of public sector financial reports.  

Analysing Performance


What you’ve studied
 
If you studied in any of the following areas, you can apply to this stream:
  • arts
  • biostatistics
  • data analytics
  • data science
  • economics
  • econometrics
  • engineering
  • education
  • information technology
  • law
  • mathematics
  • modelling
  • philosophy
  • science
  • statistics.
What you’ll do
 

Performance auditing tests how well a government program or agency is working. It helps to make sure that the program or agency is doing a good job, and that it’s delivering services in the best way. This type of review, which is different to a financial audit, is done independently so that Parliament can be sure resources are being used wisely and the state is benefitting. Your contribution will be important to ensure the wellbeing and prosperity of the state.

How the application process for our FA Graduate Cohort works

What our graduates have to say

Don't take our word for it. Hear what our graduates say about their experience.
"The managers and director within Justice are incredibly supportive, actively encouraging the pursuit of lifelong learning. There is a positive feedback culture that enables me to feel safe about making mistakes, voicing disagreements, and asking for assistance.

Since starting as a Grad, I’ve seen myself grow exponentially, learning and evolving with each challenging audit."


Mia U.
2022 VAGO Graduate
Justice Sector in Financial Audit Division
"Purpose-driven values motivated me to apply for VAGO's graduate cohort so it has been exciting to be involved in a values-aligned organisation. Our work is integral to the development of public service and the Victorian people so I find it really satisfying to know that my contribution has a positive real-world impact.

I feel grateful to experience this with a super supportive team who have provided space for my questions, thoughts and knowledge, allowing me to feel valued and comfortable to develop my skills."


Lydia B.
2023 VAGO Graduate
Education Sector in Performance Audit Division
"The VAGO graduate program has been a truly invaluable experience for me. From the supportive and passionate colleagues to the training programs, VAGO has presented me with the opportunity to develop not only a greater understanding of the public sector but also meet like-minded individuals who aspire to make a difference using the work they do."

Stephanie L.
2023 VAGO Graduate
Whole of Government Sector in Financial Audit Division
"Starting my career at VAGO I have felt supported and like my work has had an impact. I have meaningfully contributed to the audit report my team is working on and had access to lots of on-the-job training. VAGO has a really strong focus on work-life balance and working excessive hours is actively discouraged by management."

Sam L.
2023 VAGO Graduate
Government Sector in Performance Audit Division

Stay in the loop for an incredible opportunity to kickstart your career!

The Victorian Auditor-General’s Office acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land throughout Victoria. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, their continuing culture and to Elders past and present.
Privacy Policy

VAGO is strongly committed to protecting the privacy of individuals. We collect and hold personal information in the course of our business in line with our Privacy Policy, which is available on request.

We will use personal information for the primary purpose it was collected. We may use or disclose personal information for another purpose, but only if it is related to the primary purpose and you would reasonably expect us to use or disclose the information for that purpose.

We will also use and disclose personal information if it is required or authorised by law. For instance, the Auditor-General is required by the Audit Act 1994 to notify the Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC) of any matter that appears to involve corrupt conduct.