Work Exposure in Government (WEX)

WEX aims to increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people working in the Australian Government.

WEX does this by bringing year 10, 11 and 12 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to Canberra and Regional locations and provides them with hands-on exposure and information about job opportunities and career pathways in the Australian Government.

WEX is delivered in a way that is appropriate for participants’ age, culture and interests and respects the traditional owners of country on which we meet on.

Objectives:

Getting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people ready for, and into work.

Increase the employment and participation rates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as well as participation in work experience.

Support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to transition from education into sustainable work.

Showcase the benefit of the WEX program to the target audience.

Build aspirations of students to undertake further study and pursue a career in the public sector.

Promote the APS as a career opportunity.

By the end of the WEX program, participants will:

Understand how government agencies deliver government services.

Be familiar with a range of opportunities for entry into the Australian Government (non-graduate and graduate).

Be familiar with a range of roles for Australian Government employees (service delivery, policy, defence, enforcement).

Be familiar with how to apply for government jobs.

Be familiar with the challenges that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people may face while working in the Australian Government.

Be familiar with the support available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees.
WEX is funded under the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) under its Children and Schooling Program.