Telstra Graduate Program Assessment: HireVue Games, Video Interview & Case Study
Telstra's graduate program runs its first assessment on HireVue — a recorded video interview plus short games, with coding questions for technical pathways — before a virtual final interview with a case study pitch. The stages, the dates of the last round, what candidates report about the games and how to practise.
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TL;DR: After you apply to the Telstra Graduate Program, Telstra sends a HireVue invitation that combines a recorded video interview with short online games (technical pathways also get coding questions). Telstra's own page says "the system we use is called HireVue" and tells you to "do the interview, assessments, and games in a quiet space". Candidates in the last two rounds described about five video questions and three games, including a shape-matching game they call Shapedance and a maths game. If you get through, the final stage is a virtual interview day: a Q&A with current graduates, a 3–5 minute case study pitch and a behavioural interview. To prepare, practise quick arithmetic and shape comparison for a few days, and rehearse four or five real examples out loud for the video questions.
The stages come from Telstra's How we hire and Graduate Program pages. The dates and game details come from Telstra's recruitment team and candidates on the Whirlpool forums. Your invitation is the final word.
When does Telstra recruit, and how competitive is it?
The window is short. For the 2027 program, Telstra's graduate team said on Whirlpool that applications opened on 17 March 2026 and closed at 11.59pm AEDT on 31 March 2026. That's two weeks; the round before closed on 2 April 2025. Telstra's graduate page now says the 2027 program is closed and that applications for the 2028 program "will open early 2027". If you're interested, have your CV and academic transcript ready by March.
The program runs for 14 months from February, across seven pathways from Software and Network Engineering to Strategy, Finance and Business and Human Resources. You need an Australian university degree completed within the last three years; international students with work rights can apply to technical pathways only.
It is very competitive. Telstra's recruitment team wrote that the 2027 round drew 6,459 applications for 70 roles across the seven pathways and that it invited 243 candidates (about 3.8%) to interview. It also said HireVue scoring is "one input only": recruiters weigh your CV, academic record, pathway fit and cohort balance too.
What are the stages, in order?
- Online application. You submit your CV, academic transcript and work-rights details.
- HireVue video interview and assessment. In 2026, Telstra said eligible applicants would receive the invitation within 48 hours. Candidates reported 48–72 hours to complete it. You get three attempts at each video question, and Telstra says you can take notes.
- Shortlisting. In 2026, Telstra promised HireVue outcomes by 29 April. A questionnaire asking for identity and transcript details often came before an interview invitation, though not always.
- Final interview (online). A few days beforehand there's a virtual Q&A with graduate ambassadors. On the day, Telstra's team said, you get the case study questions in a group call, have about 30 minutes to prepare, and then present a 3–5 minute pitch in your own interview slot. A behavioural interview follows. In 2026, interviews ran between 18 May and 10 June.
- Background checks and offer. Telstra phones candidates with the outcome. In 2026 it aimed to finish by 12 June. Some strong candidates were marked "Reserved", which Telstra described as a talent pool for roles that open before the program starts.
What are the HireVue games like?
Telstra confirms games but doesn't name them. Candidates on Whirlpool reported:
- Three games plus about five video questions. One 2025 candidate summed up the stage as "5 Video questions + 3 games only".
- A shape game. Candidates called it "shape dance" and described having to "find similar shapes", saying it "was kinda hard once you hit lvl30". This sounds like HireVue's Shapedance, a shape-comparison game that gets harder as you go up the levels.
- A maths game. One candidate asked whether "level 38 in shape dance and 51 in maths" was competitive. HireVue's numerical game is usually reported as Numerosity: you pick numbers that combine to hit a target, against the clock.
- The third game wasn't consistently named in the threads we read.
Technical pathways (Software Engineering, Network Engineering) also get coding questions. 2026 candidates reported four problems: three short ones, then a last one described as anything from "leetcode easy" to "Leetcode hard". Telstra's team referred to these as CodeVue results and said it shortlists on more than the coding score.
HireVue games adapt to you: get things right and you move up a level, get them wrong and you drop back. A sudden jump in difficulty usually means you're doing well. Candidates who looked at their HireVue Insights report saw scores grouped under headings such as numeracy, problem solving and visuospatial ability.
How should I practise?
The games reward speed and accuracy, and both improve with a few short sessions:
- Shape game: Shapedance mental rotation trains you to compare shapes quickly and reject mirror images. Our Shapedance guide explains the technique.
- Maths game: Numerosity uses the target-number format, and mental math speeds up your basic arithmetic. The Numerosity guide has tips on picking numbers fast.
- The full HireVue set: HireVue games explained covers each game candidates report and what it measures. What is a good HireVue game score explains why scores are relative.
For the video questions, read Telstra's strategy, purpose and values, as its HireVue tips suggest, then prepare four or five recent examples you can adapt to different questions. Answer using STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result), and don't burn all three attempts chasing a perfect take. For the case study, practise building a short pitch on a current telecoms or technology issue in 30 minutes, then delivering it in under five.
FAQ
Does Telstra use HireVue? Yes. Telstra's careers page names HireVue for the graduate video interview and online assessment.
How many games are there? Telstra doesn't say. Candidates in recent rounds report three games, plus coding questions for technical pathways.
Can I re-record my video answers? Yes. Telstra gives you three attempts at each question.
How long do I have to finish the HireVue? Candidates report 48–72 hours from the invitation. Check the deadline in your email.
Is the final interview in person? In 2026 it was virtual: live interviews over video, with the ambassador Q&A held a few days before. Telstra offers reasonable adjustments, such as extra time or a recruiter-led interview, if you need them.
When does the 2028 program open? Telstra says early 2027. Recent rounds opened in mid-March and stayed open for only about two weeks.
GamePrep is an independent practice platform and is not affiliated with Telstra or HireVue. We provide practice only — no leaked questions or answers. Hiring processes change — verify against your invitation.
