No matter your job, it’s always about the people. At the Department of Treasury and Finance (DTF), you’ll find some of the best. As our state faces increasingly complex challenges, we need people with unique perspectives and new ideas. Hear from six of our people about the culture of connection, trust and shared success they’re building every day at DTF - and why you should join us!

A culture of connection

Today’s working world looks a lot different from the way it used to. A ‘quick chat’ is equivalent to a notification ping, the majority of meetings happen on screens, and most people’s ‘commute’ is from their bedroom to their office. After working completely remotely for five years, Giridhar (Giri), Application Development Specialist, was seeking greater connection. Luckily, he found it at DTF.

“My team spends one or two days a week in the office together. It’s great to have that socialisation - to build a rapport, understand how they work in person and have a chat over lunch. It’s been the perfect balance; I get the face-to-face connection I was craving, while still having the flexibility to work from home.”

For Senior Project Officer Kavish , the friendly atmosphere at DTF was evident from day one.

“Even if you don’t know a person, they’ll say hello to you in the lift or chat to you in the hallways. Seeing people being so casual and chill in a government department, it has been really amazing - exactly the opposite of what I was thinking I would work in.”

Regardless of which one of our branches you’re in, at DTF, you’ll find people who greet you warmly, colleagues who are genuinely keen to connect and leaders who’ll support you when you need it most. Operational Team Leader Farwa sees this connection as innate to the department - even built into the physical layout of the office.

“Team leaders sit between the team, not in separate rooms. It’s a blessing to be surrounded by people who are so helpful.

The freedom to find a way

The sense of connection people feel at DTF is underpinned by a culture of psychological safety: the freedom to ask questions, test ideas and admit when things are difficult. For Bec , Executive Director, this starts with leading with vulnerability.

“I try to be open in asking for people’s ideas and acknowledging that I don’t have all the answers. Sharing your own sense of vulnerability helps create a dynamic where people can do the same.”

This openness filters down through every level of the department, creating an environment where people feel empowered to collaborate on even the most complex challenges. As Chris, Payment Strategy Officer, has experienced, the work can be serious, but the support is constant.

“If a case is getting too difficult, we get together as a team to talk it through and find the best way forward,” Chris says. “Everyone understands that they have work to do and you need to be professional, but everyone's still friendly, and you can have a bit of a laugh. It’s not 100% business.”

Giri finds that this supportive environment is the best tool for a specialist, enabling him to learn from his colleagues’ expertise.

“If you’re comfortable enough to share that you don’t know something and someone can help you out, that’s the biggest thing you could hope for in an organisation. At DTF, everyone is trying to help each other to get the job done.”

Security and support

Life doesn't stop when you log on for the day. Our people value that DTF’s people-first approach means they can live their best lives at work and at home. For Nathalie, Head of Member Services, this support is one of the key reasons why she has stayed with DTF for over two decades.

“DTF has supported me through every major life milestone. I got married, had children, and I was even given a year of leave without pay to live in New Zealand and still have my job when I came back. That kind of security is rare.”

Like Nathalie, Chris was also supported to take long-term leave to pursue his personal passion - personal training. Although, when the pandemic hit, Chris’s lack of work security was a concern for his family. Luckily, he had a safety net at DTF.

“I rang them up and asked if I could come back early. They immediately found a spot for me, helping landlords navigate tax relief. Having that security was life-changing; the government offered me a level of flexibility I couldn't find in the private sector.”

Ultimately, it’s a culture where family comes first. That’s what Bec has experienced, and as an Executive Director, it’s a philosophy she embodies from the top down.

“Family always comes first—that’s the vibe you get here. It’s a place where you can make a significant contribution while being supported as a human being.”