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Australian Association of Graduate Employers

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The Big Meet

What is The Big Meet?

The Big Meet is a one-day careers fair, organised by the AAGE, which is promoted to all students from all universities in each host city. The Big Meet was established in 2008 and is now in its 17th year.

Dates for The Big Meet 2024 are:

  • Brisbane: Friday 15th March 2024, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre
  • Melbourne: Wednesday 20th March 2024, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre  
  • Sydney: Friday 22nd March 2024, International Convention Centre Sydney 
  • Perth: Monday 25th March 2024,  Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre 
  • Adelaide: Wednesday 27th March 2024, Adelaide Convention Centre 

The Concept

The Big Meet careers fairs were created as a result of feedback received from employers from both the private and public sector. Employers have asked for a cheaper or more efficient way of promoting themselves to potential candidates rather than attending several different careers fairs in the same city. Each Big Meet event is held at a purpose-built exhibition venue in a central location.

The Benefits

The Big Meet careers fairs offer a range of unique benefits to exhibitors including:

  • Promote your organisation across an entire city in just a single day
  • Promote your organisation to students from several universities at a single event
  • Access genuine job seekers at each event
  • Receive contact details for candidates who pre-register for the event, where candidates have approved this.

Why Exhibit?

The Big Meet provides the perfect solution for exhibitors wishing to maximise their exposure to potential candidates whilst minimising their costs. If you have limited time, resources or budget, The Big Meet is the ideal way to reach the right students from a range of universities in one day. Feedback from previous exhibitors confirms The Big Meet as one of the best careers fairs in the country.

What’s New in 2024?

MELBOURNE: New venue and ‘Quiet Hour’

We are excited to move to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in 2024 to enable all exhibitors to be in one room.

We will also be piloting a new Quiet Hour program at the Melbourne Big Meet in 2024 where the first hour of the event will be advertised as an opportunity for students to register to attend who might find the busy, bright and congested activity of the Big Meet challenging to navigate.

The Melbourne event will be extended by one hour at no extra cost to exhibitors, running from 11.00am until 3.00pm. Exhibitors will set up as usual and the AAGE will liaise with the Convention Centre and our event partners to make some adjustments to the space and our communication with students to facilitate the Quiet Hour.

Following this hour The Big Meet will open to all other students who have registered to attend. Further information will be provided to employers in the coming months and in the pre-event briefing about the Quiet Hour however please let us know if you have any questions prior to booking your space.

How to Book

Indicative pricing is listed below. Please note, prices will vary depending on when you book and whether your organisation is a member of the AAGE. Pricing will also vary based on the number of spaces being booked.

Click on the hyperlink below to be taken to the relevant booking form. 

AAGE Member Rates - Last Chance Rates (for bookings made after Thursday 22nd February 2024)

  • Brisbane: Single space starting from $2,250 + GST - CLOSED FOR BOOKINGS
  • Melbourne: Single space starting from $2,950 + GST - CLOSED FOR BOOKINGS
  • Sydney: Single space starting from $2,950 + GST - CLOSED FOR BOOKINGS
  • Perth: Single space starting from $2,650 + GST - CLOSED FOR BOOKINGS
  • Adelaide: Single space starting from $2,250 + GST - CLOSED FOR BOOKINGS
  • Bulk Booking, All Venues: Single space starting from $12,550 + GST - CLOSED FOR BOOKINGS

Non-Member Rates - Late Rates (for bookings made prior to COB Thursday 22nd February 2024)

  • Brisbane: Single space starting from $2,650 + GST - CLOSED FOR BOOKINGS
  • Melbourne: Single space starting from $3,350 + GST - CLOSED FOR BOOKINGS
  • Sydney: Single space starting from $3,350 + GST - CLOSED FOR BOOKINGS
  • Perth: Single space starting from $3,050 + GST - CLOSED FOR BOOKINGS
  • Adelaide: Single space starting from $2,650 + GST - CLOSED FOR BOOKINGS
  • Bulk Booking, All Venues: Single space starting from $14,550 + GST - CLOSED FOR BOOKINGS

    Who Exhibits?

    The Big Meet attracts a range of exhibitors from both the private and public sector as well as professional associations and not-for-profit employers.

    Registered exhibitors for 2024 include:

    Access4u, ACCIONA, ACOR Consultants, ACS Foundation, Activ Foundation, Adelaide Fringe, Adelaide Oval SMA Ltd, Adelaide Venue Management, ADF Careers, Adobe, Allectum, Alstom, AMP, AnglicareSA, AngloGold Ashanti,ANZIIF, APM, APRA, Arc Infrastructure, Argon & Co, Aspec Engineering Pty Ltd, ASSA ABLOY, At Home Care, ATC Williams, Attorney-General's Department, Auditor-General's Department (SA), Aurizon, Ausenco, Ausgrid, AusNet,Australia’s submarine company, Australian Communications and Media Authority, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Australian Gas Infrastructure Group, Australian Government Graduate Program - Legal Stream,Australian Internships, Australian National Audit Office, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation,Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, Australian Radioactive Waste Agency, Australian Signals Directorate,Australian Submarine Agency, Australian Taxation Office, AustralianSuper, Babcock Australasia, BAE Systems Australia, Baker Hughes, Bankwest, BAT Australia, BDO, Beach Energy, Beca, Bene Aged Care, Bentleys SA/NT,Beon, CitiPower, Powercor and United Energy, BG&E Pty Limited, BGC Engineering, BGL Corporate Solutions, BHP,Boeing Australia, BP Australia, Brisbane Catholic Education, Brisbane City Council, Bupa Health Insurance, C&L Accounting, carsales.com, Catholic Education South Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand,CIMIC Group, Civmec, Claro / Plana, CLO - Community Living Options, Clough, Coles, College of Law, Commercial and Legal, Consolidated Power Projects, CPA Australia, CrowdStrike, CSIRO, Cummins, Daniel Allison & Associates,Deloitte, DENTONS AUSTRALIA LIMITED, Department for Child Protection, Department for Correctional Services (SA), Department for Education (SA), Department for Infrastructure and Transport, Department of Agriculture & Fisheries, Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Department of Defence, Department of Education (VIC), Department of Education (WA),Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (VIC), Department of Finance, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Department of Health, Victoria, Department of Home Affairs, Department of Industry, Science and Resources, Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage, Department of Resources (QLD), Department of the Premier and Cabinet (SA), Department of the Treasury, Department of Transport and Main Roads (Qld), Department of Transport and Planning (VIC), Deswik, Detmold Group, DFK Gooding Partners, disAbility Living Inc., Downer Group, DT Infrastructure, Duxton Capital (Australia), DXC Technology, eBay, Eclipse Trading, Egis, Emirates Airlines,ENGEO, Environment Protection Authority, Enzen Australia, Essential Energy, ExxonMobil, EY, Fairbrother, Far West Local Health District, FDC Construction & Fitout, FDM Group, Fidens Support Services, FindYourPlaceSA.com,Fivecast, Flinders Port Holdings, Forensic Disability Service, Fortescue Metals Group, Georgiou, GFG Alliance, GHD,Goodstart Early Learning, GPA Engineering, GradConnection, GraduateHero, Grant Thornton, GTE, Hastings Deering, Healthcare Australia, Healthscope, Heathgate Resources, Helping Hand Aged Care, Hesperia, Hilton Foods APAC, HLB Mann Judd, Honeywell, Hood Sweeney, Hutchinson Builders, IAG, Imperial Brands PLC, Incitec Pivot Limited, Indeed, InfraBuild, INPEX Australia, Integrated Application Development, Interagency Graduate Program - DEMIRS & JTSI, International Experience Canada, Islamic College of Melbourne, John Holland Corporate, Kain Lawyers, Keller, Kmart Australia, Kongsberg Defence Australia, KordaMentha, KPMG, Labour Hire Licensing Authority, Leed Engineering and Construction, Leidos, Lendlease, Leo Cussen Centre for Law, Linear Engineering,Linfox, Liontown Resources, LMS Energy, Lockheed Martin, Lockton Companies Australia, Macquarie Cloud Services, Main Roads WA, Mainfreight, Maptek, Mazars, McGrathNicol, McMahon Services Australia, Micromine,Mineral Resources, Monash College-Professional Year Program, Monash University, Mondelez International, Moore Australia, Moore Australia (WA), MTC Australia, NAB, National Intelligence Community, Navy Engineering Program,Newmont Australia, NEXTDC, Norman Disney & Young, NRW Holdings, NSW Department of Education, NSW Public Service Commission, NT Government, Office of Digital Government (WA), Office of the Auditor General, Optus, Ord Minnett, PCYC QLD, Pensar, Perks, Pilbara Minerals, Pitcher Partners, Pitcher Partners SA, Policy Futures Graduate Program (QLD Government), Powerlink Queensland, Primary Industry Futures, Prime Minister and Cabinet, Procter & Gamble, Prosple, Protiviti, Public Transport Authority of WA, PwC Australia, Q Shelter, QinetiQ Australia, Queensland Audit Office, Queensland Department of Education, Queensland Government Digital Graduate Program, Queensland Rail, Queensland Treasury, Queensland University of Technology, RAA, RayGen, REA Group, RED Appointments,Redarc Electronics, Reece, Reeves Envico, Reserve Bank Australia, Resthaven, RMIT University , Robson Environmental, Rokt, Roy Hill, RSM, SA Health, SA Health - Graduate Program, SA Health - Regional, SA Power Networks, SA Water, Saab Australia, Sarina Russo Entrepreneurs, SAS Institute Aust Pty Ltd, Schneider Electric,SEEK, Seqwater, Services Australia, Seymour Whyte, Shoal Group, Siemens Healthineers, Sinclair Wilson, Skilled and Business Migration, SLB, Southern Cross Care (SA, NT & VIC), Sportsbet, Stanmore Resources, Stanwell, State Revenue Office Victoria, StewartBrown, StudyAdelaide, Suburban Rail Loop Authority (SRLA), Sungrow Power,Sunkids Children's Centres, SunPork Group, Surveying Careers, SW Accountants & Advisors, Sydney Water, Symal Group, Symal Infrastructure, SYSTRA ANZ, TBH, Teach For Australia, TeamViewer, Telstra, THA Healthcare Australia, Thales, The Alternative, The Audit Office of NSW, The Law Society of South Australia, The Star Entertainment Group, The University of New South Wales, The University of Queensland, The University of Sydney,Thiess, Thornton Tomasetti, TikTok, Titan Partners, TPG Telecom, Transgrid, Transport for NSW, Ultra Maritime,Unilever, UNIQLO Australia, UniSA - Careers Services, UniSA Internships, Placements and Projects – STEM & BUSINESS, UniSA Postgraduate Studies and Research Degrees, Ventia, Victoria Police, Victoria University, Victoria's Big Build - change on all lists, Victorian Auditor-General’s Office, Victorian Government Graduate Program, Viterra,Viva Energy, WA Public Sector , Wallmans Lawyers, Warrikal, Western Power, Westpac, WGA, Whitehaven Coal,William Buck, Wilmar Sugar, Wood, Woodside Energy, WorkCover Queensland, WorkSafe WA, Worley Services Ltd.,Wotton + Kearney.

    The Big Meet can attract up to 2,000 attendees at each event (please note, attendee numbers vary from state to state). Around 80% of attendees are final year students or recent graduates. The majority of attendees are Australian Citizens and Permanent Residents. Feedback from previous exhibitors tells us that the students who attend The Big Meet are genuine job seekers.

    Promotion to Students and Graduates

    The Big Meet will be promoted to all students at all universities within the host city. Promotional activities include:

    • Promotion of the event by universities in the host city
    • Promotion via university student societies
    • Promotion via professional associations
    • Event website: www.thebigmeet.com.au
    • Promotion via social media
    • Promotion by exhibitors themselves.

    Attendance at The Big Meet will be free for all students.

    Exhibitor Inclusions

    Basic Exhibitor Package: "Space Only"

    Our basic exhibitor package is called "Space Only". Each exhibitor will be provided with the following inclusions:

    • Exhibition space approximately 3 metres wide by 3 metres deep 
    • Trestle table, table cloth and 2 chairs for each exhibitor.
    • Connection to a power supply.
    • Catering for up to 2 of the exhibitor's staff.

    Exhibitors will need to bring their own display banner(s) and promotional literature. 

    Please note that a "Space Only" package does not have any walls for hanging/sticking posters.

    If you want to have a larger display area then you can purchase 2 (double) or 3 (Triple) "Space Only" packages.

    The two images below show a "Space Only" stall. The left hand image shows an undressed "Space Only" and the right hand image shows how an example of how the "Space Only" can look once dressed by exhibitors.

    Example of a "space only" set up (before and after exhibitor set up)


    ADDITIONAL ITEM: WALLED DISPLAY BOOTH - $550 + GST

    A purpose built "Walled Display Booth" can be ordered for an additional fee of $550 + GST per space.

    Under this option exhibitors receive everything provided under the "Space Only" package plus the "Walled Display Booth".

    The "Walled Display Booth" includes fascia signs displaying the exhibitor's name and carpeted walls which are velcro compatible.


    The two images below show a "Walled Display Booth". The lefthand image shows an undressed "Walled Display Booth" and the righthand image shows how an example of how the "Walled Display Booth" can look once dressed by exhibitors.

    Example of a Walled Display Booth - single (before and after exhibitor set up)

    FAQs 

    When will we receive more detailed information? 

    A detailed Logistics document will be sent out to all registered exhibitors in late January/early February 2024. We usually send this out prior to the New Year, however, we will send this later to ensure that it contains the most relevant and up-to-date information regarding any COVID-19 policies in each location.  This document will outline further information relating to each event, such as the event timetable, stall inclusions, catering and delivery instructions. 

    What happens if the event is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances? 

    If we are unable to proceed with a face-to-face event, due to venue or government restrictions, exhibitors will be able to obtain a full refund or a rollover of their booking fee to 2025. 

    Will we receive a refund if we decide to cancel our attendance in the lead up to the event? 

    The AAGE abides by the ACCC Australian Consumer Law refund policy. No refunds will be given for cancellations if the event proceeds. This applies to all registrations received and is enforced irrespective of if an invoice has been raised or not, or if an invoice remains paid or unpaid.

    Feedback from Previous Big Meets

    “Very satisfied with the calibre and quality of candidates.”
    “Very well organised, venue perfect”
    “One of the best fairs we have attended. We were particularly impressed with the number of high quality students and the organisation of the event.”
    “Just wanted to thank you all for your help leading up to and on the day of the Careers Fair, it went really well and we are so pleased with the calibre of attendees.”
    “Fantastic EVERYTHING.”
    “It was a great day and well organized. ”
    “It was the first time we’d been a stall holder, and it was a great experience. The event itself was extremely well organised, with great communication beforehand about logistics for the event, and support during the event. I also loved that students all had a coloured name tag to denote their University.”
    “Well done Team! Sydney was a great event. Excellent attendance. Your staff super helpful and so appreciated!”
    “Congratulations on the Big Meet event in Sydney! My manager was very pleased with the event and we are keen to participate again next year.”
    “We enjoyed the experience to attend the Big Meet for the first time. This allowed us to touch base with a number of students from various NSW unis and to present our program to interested candidates.”
    “Brisbane candidates were again very focused and keen.”
    “Not as busy as expected, but there were a number of good "quality" candidates that attended. Sometimes it's not just about quantity - quality is just as important.”
    “Happy with all elements of the coordination of this event, so well done.”
    “Not as many candidates as last year, but the quality was there, which is what mattered most in the end.”

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