Employment — frequently asked questions
Where can I get information about employment at ActewAGL?
If you are interested in more information about employment opportunities at ActewAGL, contact us at jobs@actewagl.com.au or advertised.vacancies@actewagl.com.au or visit www.actewagl.com.au/careers.
To be eligible for any job advertised by ActewAGL, you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, have lodged an application for Australian or New Zealand citizenship, or have a visa to live and work in Australia or New Zealand. Further information can be obtained from the Australian Department of Immigration or the New Zealand Department of Immigration.
Return to top
Do I need to provide a statement against the position profile?
Yes. Either in a covering letter or in a separate statement, briefly describe how your particular skills, abilities, and work experience suit the position. Address each of the points under the headings of "personal qualities" and "qualifications and experience" provided in the position profile.
Return to top
Do I need to provide an application cover sheet?
Yes. To help us process your application, please complete this form and attach it to the front of your application.
Return to top
What are the application guidelines?
Your application provides us with a picture of who you are. It is the best way for us to judge whether you should be interviewed for a position, and provides important information about your education, work history and experience. Please refer to the 'Application guidelines' option on our website.
Return to top
Is ActewAGL committed to equity and diversity?
ActewAGL is committed to the values of equity and diversity as well as a harassment-free work environment. We believe that everyone has the right to be treated fairly and with respect. We aim to provide a safe, harmonious workplace, which fosters the achievement of personal and organisational goals, and strive to ensure that the talents and skills of everyone in the organisation are used efficiently and effectively.
Return to top
What is ActewAGL's stance on safety?
ActewAGL is committed to providing work systems that are safe, healthy and do not harm the environment. To achieve this, we have implemented the Life Guard program. Life Guard is made up of a framework of requirements, policies, standards, guidelines and management practices that enable ActewAGL to consistently and continuously improve health, safety and environment (HSE) and to ensure legal compliance with HSE legislation.
Return to top
Does ActewAGL offer a staff incentive scheme?
We believe that employee achievement depends on giving our staff sufficient freedom and responsibility to employ their skills, and recognising their achievements.
Staff incentives are linked to the achievement of critical success factors in five specific target areas:
- financial performance
- customer retention
- maintaining customer service standards
- environmental achievements
- safety performance.
- Employee performance awards
ActewAGL has a long history of rewarding employees for good performance.
Recognition of service excellence, innovation, health, safety, environment and long and dedicated employment is brought together through the Winning Ways program.
Our Shooting Stars program rewards employees:
- who have been acknowledged by customers and peers as having consistently made a superior contribution to the organisation
- whose ideas are put into practice, or are considered to have potential for enhancing ActewAGL's operations
- who have dedicated 25 years or more service to the organisation
- who demonstrate a commitment to the Life Guard HSE management system.
Return to top
Does ActewAGL provide study assistance for employees?
To ensure that we continue to excel in all areas ActewAGL offers a study assistance program that allows employees to engage in studies relating to their profession, and at times, study a new profession in an area where they can be employed within the organisation.
Personal Performance Planning and Development plans (PPPDs)
We like to track our employees' progress and map out their future at ActewAGL. PPPD plans allow us to give employees an annual performance appraisal, and the opportunity to provide feedback and discussion between the employee and their manager.
Return to top
Does ActewAGL offer traineeships?
Yes. Traineeships are a great way to get your career started with ActewAGL whilst learning new skills with on-the-job training. We have trainees in areas such as office administration, information technology, electricity and water field services.
Trainees will undertake study in their field with an approved tertiary education provider, such as the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT), and where applicable can be given time during work hours to accommodate study.
Traineeships can range from two to four years. We look for candidates with motivation, a willingness to learn, and a desire to pursue a career in the chosen area for the traineeship. Some previous work or demonstrated interest in the chosen area is preferred.
Return to top
Does ActewAGL offer apprenticeships?
Yes. Electricity Networks is responsible for managing the operations of ActewAGL Distribution in the national electricity market, and also undertakes the maintenance of Canberra's streetlights on behalf of the ACT Government.
Electricity Networks is also responsible for the planning, development, construction, operation and maintenance of the electricity network in the ACT. The network includes zone substations and sub transmission lines, together with high voltage distribution lines and substations, and associated low voltage lines. There are approximately 350 employees working at Electricity Networks.
Electricity Networks Division recruits apprentices as trainee linesmen and systems electricians.
To be eligible to apply for these positions, applicants must hold a Year 10 Certificate and have passed the National Industry Training Advisory Board's (ITAB) aptitude test. As a prerequisite those applying for an electrical apprenticeship are required to provide competent medical evidence of their ability to distinguish between primary colours. You can contact ITAB on 02 6241 8259 or visit their website www.ulmitb.com.au.
The successful applicants generally start their position in January for four years. They include a three-year part-time off-the-job component, which must be completed at the CIT, with opportunities to study further in areas of engineering.
Electrical apprentices are required to work at various ActewAGL buildings and worksites. Although we cannot guarantee employment on successful completion of the apprenticeship, linesmen will acquire a nationally recognised Certificate III in Distribution (powerlines) reference number UTT30101, and Systems Electricians will acquire an A Grade Electricians License. There is no age restriction for applying for apprenticeships.
Return to top
How can I start my career as an apprentice with ActewAGL?
You can view current vacancies on our positions vacant page or call the human resources officer on 02 6270 7597 for further information. Apprentice intake occurs in January following advertised vacancies in the second half of the year. Check the local press for details.
Apprentice positions are advertised in September/October each year in the Canberra Times and on our website.
Return to top
What employment conditions does ActewAGL offer?
The organisation is party to the ActewAGL and Combined Unions Enterprise Agreement 2002 and the ACTEW Corporation Limited Employment Conditions Award 1998. If you are interested in getting a copy of these documents, please write to us at jobs@actewagl.com.au, or contact our recruitment area on 02 6270 7597.
Return to top
Graduate engineer opportunities
Water Division employs engineers with environmental and civil engineering backgrounds. Applications are also accepted for mechanical, electrical and chemical engineers for a three-year development rotation program under the technical direction of senior engineers. We look to make positions available for ongoing employment after the initial three years.
Graduate engineers have a variety of responsibilities and work on a number of projects, depending on their specialist focus and specific placement. These projects can relate to water treatment processes, managing appropriate projects, and preparing and implementing designs. On average, graduates are rotated between projects every nine months.
When considering candidates for these positions we require applicants to have qualifications in engineering in order to be eligible for graduate membership to the Institution of Engineers of Australia. Some knowledge or experience in the water and wastewater industry would be desirable.
Return to top
Graduate accountant opportunities
ActewAGL employs recent graduates, or students who are due to complete their course of study during the year. Graduate accountants will be engaged on a variety of projects and accounting functions that will provide them with broad work experience in a dynamic multi-utility business.
Return to top
Vacation employment opportunities
Vacation employment is open to university students for 12 weeks over their summer holiday period between December and February. This program gives students the opportunity to gain experience in their field of study.
Placements are limited, and are usually offered in a variety of disciplines, including engineering, finance and economics, business management, law, information technology and marketing.
Information about our vacation employment program is made available to students on the ActewAGL website and through universities at the start of October. Applications close at the end of October.
Selection to ActewAGL's vacation employment program is based on the relevance of studies that the student has undertaken, their interests and abilities, and will be judged on the quality of applications.
Preference will be given to students who have successfully completed three years of study and who have access to accommodation in or near the ACT.
Return to top
Scholarship and cadetship opportunities
Through ActewAGL's Scholarship and Cadetship program students undertake full-time study at university and are required to work with ActewAGL during the three-month summer holiday period. ActewAGL assist these scholarship and cadetship holders financially with provision of a wage, as well as providing on-the-job experience in the chosen field of study.
Talk to your university career advisor or our recruitment area for further information.
Return to top
Work experience opportunities
We support local schools by providing work experience opportunities for students, usually for five consecutive days. During this time, students learn to fit into a work team, and can observe or perform a range of activities, and carry out projects set by the school.
Return to top
How can I start my career with ActewAGL?
You can send your resume to jobs@actewagl.com.au, however we usually begin the recruitment process following an advertised vacancy. You can view current vacancies on our employment opportunities page or call the human resources officer on 02 6270 7597 for further information.
Return to top
Equal employment opportunity
All suitably qualified people are invited to apply for positions within ActewAGL. ActewAGL is an equal opportunity employer, and as such applies the merit principal in all recruitment actions.
Return to top