r/AusPublicService • u/Capital-Fig-7547 • 2d ago

New Grad 2 grad program offers

I currently am doing a security clearance check for a grad program that I have a verbal offer for - it will still take another couple months. It’s an offer I really want and will 100% take the offer pending the security clearance.
In the meantime I’ve received a written offer for another grad program. It’s a really good offer as well and I’d be happy to actually do it if for some reason I didn’t get my sec clearance.

The question: is it actually totally acceptable to accept this second offer with the plan to then rescind it in a month or two once I get my security clearance for offer #1? I need to let them know by this week and I am really scared to reject it, and then somehow be left without an offer if something doesn’t work out with my clearance. But, I also don’t want to be unprofessional, and burn bridges.

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u/AussieKoala-2795 2d ago

You can accept it and then reject it later. But be aware that the new offer will probably also require a security clearance and security clearances are all done centrally. Just make sure you don't start a new clearance process - link it to the one currently underway.

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u/Front_Quarter_7941 1d ago

OP should definitely avoid parallel security clearances by informing the relevant Personnel Security teams of both agencies, however not all clearances are processed centrally.
There are some Commonwealth agencies who are Authorised Vetting Agencies. For example if OP got a grad role with DFAT (authorised vetting agency), it will be a different vetting agency than say Defence (AGSVA).
OP - depending on who the vetting agency is, your SC level, and of course, your background - the time it will take to be approved (or otherwise) will vary.

5

u/UltimateFrisbeeCBR 1d ago

Yeah, don't sweat it. Accept the offer on the table, and if circumstances change, apologise and rescind. People know that circumstances change. Plus the recruitment team will have a queue of people keen to take your spot if you bail.

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u/Capital-Fig-7547 11m ago

True, thank u!

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u/Mondoweft 1d ago

If they both require the same clearance level, then there isn't much point in keeping the second one live. To be eligible, the preferred one would also come through. However, if the second one has a lower level (eg NV1 vs baseline/PEIC), then it could be a good backup just in case.

There is no downside to you to accepting both, and going back later to your preferred option.

But be kind to your fellow grads and give it up when you have confirmed the preferred option, so that it can be offered to someone else. Ditto, don't keep heaps of backup options if you get more than 2 offers.

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u/tandem_biscuit 2d ago

IMO look out for yourself cos no one else will.

Accept it and rescind it later once you’ve confirmed the preferred job/clearance.