Ignite your career in the Data Stream, gaining valuable data experience in the APS while working with data that shapes Australia’s workforce and employment outcome.
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Applications for the 2027 Graduate Program are now open
Our Program
Are you interested in working with data to support public policy and programs? As a DEWR graduate, you will work with a broad range of data across Skills and Training, Enterprise Agreements and Employment Programs, while developing your data capabilities in a supportive APS environment that values learning, collaboration, and professional growth.
The department’s work is supported by its organisational capability in economics, data, and labour market analysis.
The department aims to recruit graduates who can apply strong analytical, numerical and communication skills to support policies and programs that strengthen Australia’s workforce now and into the future.
We offer formal and on-the-job training supported by experienced supervisors to develop your skills in quantitative data analysis using industry-standard software including, but not limited to, Python, R -, Power BI, SQL and SAS. Programming experience is not essential but may be beneficial for some graduate placements.
Throughout the graduate program, you will have the opportunity to work with and learn from subject matter experts to advance your data skills. You will also benefit from the department’s Data Analyst Network, an online community for data analysts to share information and skills on a broad range of topics relating data and data analysis.
Who we are looking for?
There are no requirements for any degrees or disciplines. Backgrounds that may be advantageous include analytics, actuarial studies, business, commerce, computer science, data management, data science or mining, demography, economics, econometrics, engineering, finance, mathematics or mathematical modelling, machine learning, psychology, risk and intelligence analysis, science, social sciences, and statistics and research.
We are looking for highly motivated graduates from a wide range of disciplines and life experiences who want to play a part in shaping Australia’s future and informing the decision-making process. If you are motivated, enthusiastic, open learning and innovation and enjoy working as part of a team, then working in data at DEWR is for you.
What our data graduates do
Data graduates get exposure to and use data from a range of rich data sources within the department’s portfolio. Roles cover the full data lifecycle including survey and questionnaire development, data acquisition, data engineering and data analysis, as well as specialised disciplines such as data science, economics, financial and budget analysis, methodology, geospatial analysis, machine learning and modelling, and data management.
The work our data graduates undertake supports evidence-based decision-making across policy development, program management and service delivery. Data graduates may also be involved with providing data to develop policy advice to increase employment outcomes for identified cohorts, including young workers, the long-term unemployed, those with a disability, and mature aged workers.
Some examples of this work include (but are not limited to):
- Data Collection and Management
- improving the way the department collects, manages, analyses and releases data. This includes designing and conducting surveys to collect first-hand information from program stokeholds, developing administrative data collected through services delivery for further analysis, and establishing data management and sharing policy and protocols to ensure data value is maximised in a safe environment.
- Performance analysis and program evaluation
- applying advanced analytical techniques to a range of integrated datasets to gain insights into complex policy problems or to evaluate the performance of policies and programs to assess if they achieve designed objectives.
- Compliance and Assurance
- monitoring program performance and protecting government outlays by using cutting-edge techniques and visualisations to identify non-compliance and fraud.
- Economics
- developing strategic economic advice through analysing economic and financial data, including economic models and costings to support policy development.
Learn more about this rewarding work in our Frequently Asked Questions document.
Eligibility
To be eligible for AGGP Data Stream, you must:
- submit a completed application prior to the closing date and time.
- be an Australian citizen at the time of application
- have completed (or will complete) at least an Australian Qualifications Framework Level 7 qualification (a Bachelor degree), equivalent, or higher equivalent by 31 December 2026
- have completed your most recent eligible qualification between 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2026
- be able to obtain and maintain a valid Australian Government security clearance once accepted onto the program when required. Further information on security clearances is available from Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA)
- be willing to undergo any police, character, health, or other checks required.
How to apply
We are a participating agency in the Australian Government Graduate Program (AGGP) Data stream. Applications are now open. Click here to apply!
Successful applicants will be placed in a merit pool that will be considered by the APS and Commonwealth entities. Please note that agencies and departments and will offer different employment conditions and graduate program features
Make sure you nominate the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations as your preferred agency for your chance to join us!
We encourage you to read the 2027 Australian Government Graduate Program (AGGP) – Data Stream Information for Applicants which includes general information about applying for the stream.
If you have any questions, please email entrylevel@dewr.gov.au.