Human Resources Stream

If you have a mind for human resources and want to help our leaders develop the cultural and strategic capability needed for a future‑ready, world‑class policy agency, we’d love to hear from you.

Our program

As part of the Human Resources (HR) stream, you will work with HR professionals to help our leaders to continue building our workforce to be a world-class policy agency.

We participate in the APS HR Graduate Program, which is a whole of government recruitment program managed by the Australian Taxation Office. The program aims to build and uplift strategic HR capability across the public service. It aims to foster learning, collaboration and to contribute to a more adaptive, responsive, and future-ready APS.

APS HR Graduates will benefit from top industry expertise and get access to specialised training. Through your day-to-day work at your employing agency, as well as cross-agency collaboration of the Graduate Program, you will help build the HR function’s strategic capability and shape an APS that meets the needs of all Australians.

Benefits of the program include:

• specialised learning and development, designed and delivered by HR experts
• flexible working arrangements and future mobility opportunities
• Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI) membership and mentoring program
• APS HR Professional Stream Network graduate membership, connecting you to thousands of HR professionals
• networking and development opportunities with HR graduates and professionals across the APS.

Graduates will also have access to a blended learning program offering a combination of structured training, networking opportunities and on the job experience. Graduates may also be offered the opportunity post the graduate program, to complete an Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI) accreditation course paid for by the department.

What our human resources graduates do

As a Graduate in the HR Stream, you may have the opportunity to work across various HR functions each focussing on important organisational behaviour and organisational development characteristics. Examples of some of these functions include:

• Health and Wellbeing
  • implementing mental health and wellbeing strategies in the work force
  • understanding return-to-work and worker’s compensation arrangements that support ill or injured employees back to work.
• Diversity and Inclusion
  • understanding how cultural differences align to an organisation’s values and traits
  • understanding how cultural differences improve the effectiveness of an organisation
• HR Metrics and Workforce Planning
  • ability to align present and future talent with organisational goals (people analytics)
  • participate in strategic business planning and workforce evaluation
• Capability Development
  • identifying workforce capability needs and developing learning strategies to address them 
  • coordinating training programs, workshops and development pathways 
  • supporting leadership capability and continuous learning across the department
• Recruitment and Onboarding
  • coordinating end‑to‑end recruitment processes to attract high‑quality talent 
  • designing fair and transparent selection processes consistent with APS requirements 
• Performance & Case Management
  • assisting with the coordination and documentation of performance improvement plans 
  • providing advice on managing complex workplace issues, including misconduct and underperformance 
  • helping ensure cases are handled in line with APS legislation, policy and procedural requirements
• People Policy and Workplace Relations
  • developing and implementing people-focused policies that align with APS legislation, values and best practice 
  • supporting enterprise bargaining processes and understanding APS workplace relations frameworks 
  • providing advice on employment conditions, entitlements and workplace matters 

‘As an HR Graduate in the Performance and Conduct team, I had the opportunity to be involved in formal case management. Working on complex cases gave me insight into the importance of fair, consistent, and compassionate processes when addressing employee conduct and performance concerns. It was incredibly rewarding to contribute to outcomes that not only supported organisational integrity but also prioritised the well-being and dignity of staff. This experience has shaped my understanding of HR’s role in fostering a respectful and accountable workplace.’ – Maddi, HR Graduate (2025)

Eligibility

HR Graduates are recruited through the HR Stream which is part of Australian Government Graduate Program (AGGP). 

To be eligible for the HR Stream through APS Human Resources Graduate Program, 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 in Human Resources or a related field (e.g., Business, Psychology, Commerce, Arts).
• 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) HR 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! 

If you have any questions, please email entrylevel@dewr.gov.au.