Who we’re looking for in the National Graduate Program

We’re looking for graduates who want to deliver a simple, helpful, respectful and transparent experience for our customers. We want the future leaders of the Australian Public Service - graduates who are bold and forward-thinking who have big ideas.

We’re looking for a wide range of people to join us and we’re committed to providing an inclusive workplace. We value our staff for their unique qualities, ideas and perspectives.

Our policies support workplace diversity and we implement strategies and initiatives to champion this.

We’re a Gold Status Employer, as recognised by the Australian Workplace Quality Index for our LGBTI+ workplace inclusion.

Read more about how we manage workplace diversity and inclusion.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the program, you must be an Australian citizen on 17 April 2023.

You’ll also need to have completed, or be due to complete:

• an undergraduate degree within 5 years before the program starts
• a postgraduate degree within 5 years before the program starts.

If you got your degree overseas, you’ll need to have it recognised by the Department of Education. Read more about overseas qualifications on their website.

Some specialist streams have additional requirements. Find out what the requirements are for each stream:

• communication
• data
• digital
• finance and accounting
• generalist
• human resources
• legal
• service delivery
• service design
• social work.

Relocation

While we have places available in major cities and regional towns, many of the program’s roles are in Canberra. You must be willing to relocate if required. We’ll help you if you need to relocate.

Read more about moving for the National Graduate Program.

Skill requirements

For your application to be successful, you’ll need to demonstrate all of the following:

• initiative
• ethical, adaptive and evidence-based judgement
• strong problem solving skills
• excellent written and interpersonal communication skills
• the ability to establish positive working relationships with team members and stakeholders
• support for a workplace culture that values diversity, respect and inclusion
• knowledge of current issues and practices related to the specific stream you apply to.

Meet our graduates

Find out more about our program from some of our past graduates.

Ludovica

I came to Canberra as a generalist graduate and value the diverse range of experiences I’ve had.

Samantha

After completing the program, I’m now working as Government Lawyer in Sydney.

Sanjith

I moved to Adelaide to work as a data analyst in our Technology and Digital Programmes Group.

Shane

I was a generalist graduate last year and worked in our Medicare and Veterans health space.

In this video, meet Abhi, a 2020 graduate who works in our Data Analytics and Innovation branch.

In this video, meet Megan, a 2020 graduate in the generalist stream who works in our Family Tax Benefit section.

In this video, meet George, a 2016 graduate who now works in our Cyber Services division.

In this video, meet Kathleen, a 2020 graduate who works in our Technology Innovation Centre.