Grow your career at DAFF
The Graduate Development Program is a unique opportunity to grow your career. You will also have a direct impact on the well-being of our country.
We work to:
- protect Australia’s natural resources
- develop strong agricultural industries
- deliver policies and programs for a strong economy.
The work we do today, matters for tomorrow.
Applications for the 2026 Australian Government Graduate Program (AGGP) closed on 14 April 2025. Applications for the 2027 AGGP will open in March 2026.
We run recruitment for our ABARES Stream and Veterinary Stream separately. Learn more about these streams on our ABARES Stream and Veterinary Stream webpages.
Our graduates benefit from:
- various work locations including Canberra, Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne
- diverse range of opportunities right across the nation including researchers and scientists working in labs, policy advisors working with industries and communities, IT specialists and more
- competitive salaries – graduates start in APS 4 positions and advance to APS 5 positions on completion of the program, plus generous superannuation, leave entitlements, flex time and more.
- 3 workplace rotations with a potential rotation in one of our portfolio agencies.
- access to professional and personal development opportunities to help shape your career
- flexible working arrangements to support workplace wellbeing.
We aim to help you grow your professional skills and reach your career goals during the Graduate Development Program. We’re looking for graduates from a wide range of disciplines:
- agricultural and environmental sciences
- policy, government, and international relations
- veterinarians
- legal studies
- finance
There is a huge diversity of roles at DAFF. Join our Graduate Development Program to find work that suits you, even if your degree isn't in one of the disciplines above.
Our diverse, inclusive, and passionate workforce all contribute to our 3 objectives.
- Biosecurity - strengthening our national biosecurity system to provide an appropriate level of protection to Australia’s people, our environment and economy from the biosecurity threats of today and tomorrow.
- Resilience and sustainability - increasing the contribution agriculture, forestry and fisheries make to a healthy, sustainable and low emissions environment.
- Industry growth - supporting industry to grow toward a $100 billion agriculture, fisheries and forestry industry by 2030 amid changing global market conditions.
Our commitment to diversity
It’s well known that our best assets are our people. Our differences enhance our work. They provide new vantage points to problem solve and to deliver for our fellow Australians.
It is important for us to accurately represent the vast diversity of our people, from our backgrounds, cultures, identities, and our work.
See our better together suite of videos. They highlight how we foster an inclusive culture where everyone feels safe to be themselves at work.
Who can apply
You must:
- be an Australian citizen or have been granted citizenship prior to 1 January 2026
- have completed a bachelor’s degree (or higher qualification), before the start of the 2026 program.
Our streams
Explore the full range of career options available to you, regardless of your degree.
The generalist stream of our Graduate Development Program is open to all graduates. It provides a unique foundation for graduates to expand on their existing capabilities. Our generalist graduates have degrees across a wide variety of disciplines:
- arts
- sciences
- law
- marketing and communications
- human resource management
- international relations
- and many more.
Areas of work
As part of our generalist stream, you will have opportunities to contribute to a wide range of work areas:
- developing policies to ensure Australia’s biosecurity
- responding to biosecurity risks as they emerge
- promoting and engaging with Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries
- providing advice on animal welfare and plant health
- engaging with domestic and international stakeholders on trade, biosecurity and industry practices.
Program highlights
During the program, you will undertake:
- a tailored learning and development program delivered by the Australian Public Service Academy
- three exciting and diverse rotations aligned to your skills and interests
- networking activities and events
- in-house training and development opportunities.
How to apply
We recruit for our generalist stream through the Australian Government Graduate Program (AGGP).
Applications for the 2026 AGGP closed on 14 April 2025. Applications for the 2027 AGGP will open in March 2026.
Learn about this stream and the application process on APS Jobs.
Digital Stream Graduates will rotate through work areas within the Digital Services Division (DSD). DSD are responsible for enabling information and communication technology (ICT) functions and activities in the department.
The division provides a secure, modern ICT environment so that the department can conduct its business 24/7 and focus on achieving departmental outcomes.
We offer career progression, flexibility, and a supportive work environment. We are great promotors of diversity and inclusion initiatives and maintaining work/life balance.
Program Highlights
As a digital graduate, you will:
- work with, and learn directly from, experts in their field
- enhance your skills and knowledge through a range of formal and on-the-job training activities tailored to guide your career
- work on exciting projects that enable technological innovation and advancement and directly impact the Australian community
- undertake three work rotations within our digital ICT areas to provide you with exposure to multiple teams and scopes of work.
Past graduates have enjoyed working in areas such as Cyber Security, Web Development, Infrastructure Services and DevOps.
How to apply
We recruit for our Digital stream through the Australian Government Graduate Program (AGGP).
Applications for the 2026 AGGP closed on 14 April 2025. Applications for the 2027 AGGP will open in March 2026.
Learn more about this stream and the application process on APS Jobs.
We work with a wide range of stakeholders across government and industry. Data is essential for regulating and advising on the industries within our portfolio. As a data graduate, you will play an important role in the pursuit of our strategic goals.
Areas of work
You'll contribute to a wide range of work areas and tasks. This may include:
- developing business intelligence reports to inform biosecurity policy development and regulatory decisions
- using data and analytics to reduce risk in the export regulatory system
- using data to support the export of our agriculture, fisheries and forestry products
- using advanced analytics and geospatial methods to provide insights into our biosecurity systems
- developing reporting products to make use of data captured by new ICT applications
- engaging with internal stakeholders to identify data needs
- assessing ethical issues linked to the use of agricultural industry data
- supporting the operation of a large data warehouse.
Data graduate roles support evidence-based, informed decision making. You’ll work across all aspects of DAFF. This may include regulatory services, policy development and program management.
Program highlights
Highlights of the Data stream include:
- a range of training opportunities to learn skills such as coding
- opportunities to develop skills in software used for data curation, analysis, and visualisation
- opportunities and support in branching out from data work
- external support and networking, such as the Graduate Data Network
How to apply
We recruit for our Data stream through the Australian Government Graduate Program (AGGP).
Application for the 2026 AGGP closed on 14 April 2025. Applications for the 2027 AGGP will open in March 2026.
Learn more about this stream and the application process on APS Jobs.
Our work areas rely on sound legal advice and functions. Our Legal Division provides all legal services and advice required by the department. These services are vital to develop legislation and to deliver our regulatory functions.
Find out more about our Legal stream, including some of the experiences of former graduates who now work in our Legal Division.
How to apply
We recruit for our Legal stream through the Australian Government Graduate Program (AGGP).
Applications for the 2026 AGGP closed on 14 April 2025. Applications for the 2027 AGGP will open in March 2026.
Learn more about this stream and the application process on APS Jobs.
Our work is incredibly diverse. Specialist knowledge and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) skills are essential to our work.
Graduates with STEM qualifications can participate in our 2024 Graduate Development Program.
The STEM stream provides valuable experience across some of our specialised work areas. You’ll learn new skills and make a start in your career in the Australian Public Service (APS).
What will I do?
Your work could include a variety of functions:
- Provide expert advice to our stakeholders.
- Translate technical language for clear communication.
- Develop and implement domestic and international standards for industries.
- Regulate food safety in imports and exports.
- Conduct research in our biosecurity research and innovation programs.
- Contribute to pest and disease surveillance.
- Prepare our response capability for pest and disease incursions.
About the stream
The STEM stream supports graduates to apply their skills to the vital work that we do. The program can provide you with:
- Exclusive learning and development provided by our APS partners.
- In-house learning to better support the translation of science to policy.
- Career development guidance including mentoring and coaching.
- Seminars with our experts and external professionals.
- Professional networking opportunities with experts and other graduates.
How to apply
We recruit for our STEM stream through the Australian Government Graduate Program (AGGP).
Applications for the 2026 AGGP closed on 14 April 2025. Applications for the 2027 AGGP will open in March 2026.
Learn more about this stream and the application process on APS Jobs.
Are you passionate about people? Have you recently graduated with a Human Resources (HR) or HR-related qualification? Apply to our HR stream and help support the important work we do.
Our HR graduate stream is a great opportunity to explore a wide range of HR functions. While using your qualifications, you’ll provide vital support to work areas across the department. Through the support of our front-line staff, you will meaningfully contribute to the pursuit of our strategic goals.
Areas of work
Graduates will work across several of our essential HR functions including:
- workforce planning
- workforce reporting and design
- rehabilitation management
- promoting and supporting diversity and inclusion
- health, safety, and wellbeing
- providing general HR advice and support.
Program highlights
Graduates take part in a development program designed for our HR stream:
- inter-agency networking opportunities through the APS HR Professional stream
- training throughout the year to apply HR practices to the public sector
- workplace rotations across our HR functions.
Participation in this program also includes membership in the Australian Public Service (APS) HR Professional Network. This network connects HR professionals across the APS.
How to apply
We recruit for our HR stream through the Australian Government Graduate Program (AGGP).
Applications for the 2026 AGGP closed on 14 April 2025. Applications for the 2027 AGGP will open in March 2026.
Learn more about this stream and the application process on APS Jobs.
Are you ready to kickstart your career in finance and accounting?
Our stream offers impactful work and valuable experiences across a dynamic financial environment.
We’re seeking graduates with strong analytical skills and a passion for finance and accounting. Eligible fields of study include:
- accounting
- commerce
- finance
- business administration
Areas of work
As part of the finance and accounting stream, you will have the chance to work across:
- financial management
- financial operations
- commercial business
- corporate support areas
You'll work through a diverse range of tasks and responsibilities during your rotations. You will develop a broad skillset and make an impact on our financial operations.
Career development
Our program provides many opportunities for professional development opportunities to help you excel:
- comprehensive training
- mentorship
- tailored guidance and support from experienced professionals.
You will have opportunities to network with our external stakeholders and take part in cross-agency training provided by the Australian Public Service (APS) Academy.
How to Apply
We recruit for this stream through the Australian Government Graduate Program (AGGP).
Applications for the 2026 AGGP closed on 14 April 2025. Applications for the 2027 AGGP will open in March 2026.
Learn more about this stream and the application process on APS Jobs.
We also participate in Indigenous recruitment programs for the Australian Public Service, including the Indigenous Graduate Pathway. Find out more about these programs for First Nations people.
We will be running separate recruitment for graduate positions for:
- the Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resource Economics and Science (ABARES)
- veterinarians licensed and registered to work in Australia.
Learn more about the ABARES Stream
Learn more about the Veterinary Stream
Find out more
We believe that our Graduate Development Program provides our graduates with a fantastic insight to the work of the department, and the different directions a career in the agriculture portfolio can take you.
Our Entry Programs team helps our graduates during the program. This includes coordination of:
- onboarding and induction
- learning and development
- workplace rotations
- ongoing placements after the program ends.
Have more questions? Please email us: entryprograms@aff.gov.au
Stay up to date on what’s happening in the department (including our graduate recruitment) by following our social media channels: