Graduates

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 and 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 2024 AGGP closed 17 April 2023. Applications for the AGGP generalist stream will reopen early next year.

You can find further information about this process on the APS Jobs Generalist stream page.

Our IT systems enable staff to do their day-to-day work in efficient and effective ways. Furthermore, our IT systems are critical for many of our external stakeholders.

The Digital stream allows graduates to apply their skills to real-world applications. Our program provides valuable opportunities within our department and through our external partners.

Program Highlights

• Find work that interests you within our digital and IT areas. Work rotations will give you a broader awareness of your options within your field.
• The Australian Government Graduate Program (AGGP) Digital Stream offers exclusive cross-agency events and networking for their participants. You'll get the chance to meet other digital graduates, as well as cadets and apprentices.
• Learn from colleagues and mentors during your graduate program. Apply your existing skills to real-world systems and problems. Develop new skills by solving real problems and using our specialised systems.
• As a Digital graduate, you will be a valued member of your team. Teams will provide graduates with real work and responsibilities. You will get support from your rotation teams and our Entry Programs team.

How to apply

We recruit for our Digital stream through the AGGP. Applications for the 2024 AGGP closed on Monday, 17 April. Applications for the 2025 AGGP Digital Stream will open early next year.

You can find further information about this process on the APS Jobs Digital Stream page.

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

As a data graduate, 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 our department. This may include regulatory services, policy development and program management.

Program highlights

Key program highlights 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). Applications for the 2024 AGGP closed on Monday, 17 April. Applications for the 2025 AGGP Data Stream will open early next year.

You can find further information about this process on the APS Jobs Data Stream page.

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.

Areas of work

During your program, you’ll rotate through different areas of our Legal Division. You’ll also have one rotation in another area of the department to provide you with broad experience. Within Legal Division, these areas of work include:

• litigation and claims resolution
• contracts and grants management
• commercial and corporate law
• statutory interpretation and advising’s
• employment law
• regulatory law
• legislative development
• information law
• debt recovery
• investigations and enforcement.

The Legal Division supports and develops staff to operate in a fast-paced and exciting environment.

Program highlights

Key highlights of the program include:

• three diverse workplace rotations
• Question Time and Senate Estimates visits
• attending Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) graduate events
• targeted learning and development, including supervision from Senior and Principal Government Lawyers
• inclusion in our graduate network and access to a buddy
• support to undertake a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice to obtain a practising certificate.

How to apply

We recruit for our Legal stream through the Australian Government Graduate Program (AGGP). Applications for the 2024 AGGP closed on Monday, 17 April. Applications for the 2025 AGGP Legal Stream will open early next year.

You can find further information about this process on the APS Jobs Legal Stream page.

Our work is incredibly diverse. Specialist knowledge and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) skills are essential to our department’s work.

Graduates with STEM qualifications can discover 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 2024 AGGP closed on 17 April 2023. Applications for the AGGP STEM Stream will reopen early next year.

You can find further information about this process on the APS Jobs STEM Stream page.

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 have opportunities to work across several of our essential HR functions:

• workforce planning
• workforce reporting and design
• rehabilitation management
• promoting and supporting diversity and inclusion
• health, safety, and wellbeing
• providing general HR advice and support across the department.

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 2024 AGGP closed on Monday, 17 April. Applications for the 2025 AGGP HR Stream will open early next year.

You can find further information about this process on the APS Jobs HR stream page.

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 2024 AGGP closed on 17 April 2023. Applications for the 2025 AGGP Accounting and Financial Management Stream will open early next year.

You can find further information on the APS Jobs Accounting and Financial Management Stream page.