Suncorp Group convened its 2025 graduate cohort for its annual Thrive Graduate Conference in Brisbane, drawing 63 participants from across Australia and New Zealand.
Held at Heritage Lanes, the three-day event aimed to strengthen professional networks, increase business understanding, and support early-career development.
The graduates, recruited from 22 different universities, were selected from a record pool of nearly 10,000 applicants.
The average age among participants is 24, with representation spanning from 21 to 36 years old. Women account for nearly 40% of the group.
Each year, Suncorp opens approximately 60 graduate and 40 internship positions. The graduate program offers a two-year, structured pathway focused on building technical expertise, cross-functional experience, and workplace capability.
The Australian Association of Graduate Employers recently ranked the program third in the Banking, Insurance & Financial Services sector, up from sixth in the same category last year.
Suncorp graduate advisor Kelly Pfeffer said the conference allows participants to gain broad exposure to the organisation’s operations and leadership.
“The conference is an important learning and connection piece. This is the only time that all the graduates from offices across Australia and New Zealand come together, and we can showcase the opportunities within the broader organisation,” she said.
She noted the event’s value for those working in locations with smaller teams, offering them the chance to feel part of a larger professional network.
The current cohort is evenly split between those with technology-focused backgrounds and those from other disciplines, including commerce, science, and the humanities.
Andrew Amarandos, who joined Suncorp as a technology graduate in IT infrastructure, said the conference provided practical tools to manage early workplace challenges.
“The Thrive Graduate Conference provided insight into how to manage the challenges of our current careers while equipping us with the tools to best thrive in the continual changing professional landscape,” he said.
Beth Dallinger, also part of the technology and operations stream, is completing her first placement in the cyber security and risk department. She is gaining experience in governance practices, asset classification, and data protection protocols.
“Being part of technology and operations within the cyber security and risk department, I’m fortunate to be learning daily alongside a supportive and adept team,” she said, adding that group presentations showcased how the program supports Suncorp’s customer-focused objectives.
Applications for the 2026 intake of graduate and internship roles will open in August 2025.
Expressions of interest are currently being accepted via the company’s graduate recruitment portal.
