We offer pathways and opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples at any life stage to build and launch a successful career in the Australian Public Service (APS).
On this page:
Indigenous Apprenticeship Program (IAP)
IAP is a 12-month entry-level employment and development program open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are interested in working in the Australian Public Service (APS). The program is administered by Services Australia and DEWR is a participating agency in this program. It’s the central program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples looking to start a career in government!
Roles are available across Australia, including capital cities and many regional areas.
‘After the completion of my Year 12 studies, I was undecided on what I wanted to do for a career. The IAP had just launched across Government and I was offered a place in the program to start my career as an Australian Public Servant.
The Indigenous Apprenticeship program allowed me to give back and benefit community across Australia in multiple agencies and roles. The IAP gave me exposure to the many functions of Government which assisted me to make informed decisions for my career and what I wanted my career to be. Through the IAP, I was fortunate enough to travel across the country to experience how my work, impacted Australians firsthand.
DEWR has multiple support networks for First Nations peoples and through multiple bodies of work, displays an on-going commitment to enhancing the capabilities, opportunities and recognition of First Nations employees’, Connor Crouch, Program Officer
What our Apprentices do
Our apprentices can work across many different areas. This may include policy development and advice, project and contract management, program implementation, governance, and communications.
Currently we have apprentices working in customer and service delivery and in program delivery roles in offices across Australia.
Participants complete a nationally recognised qualification – a Certificate IV or Diploma of Government (depending on the role) – while working full time.
There’s a lot of support throughout the program. You’ll get on-the-job training and ongoing learning opportunities. You’ll also be matched with a buddy and an Indigenous mentor.
Once you complete the apprenticeships program, you’ll be a permanent staff member in the Australian Public Service.
IAP Eligibility
No qualifications are required; anyone can apply for this program!
These positions are only open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. To be successful you must confirm your heritage and Australian Citizenship. This means confirming that you:
- are of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent
- identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person
- are accepted as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Australian
- Are an Australian Citizen.
For more details on the confirmation of heritage process, read about confirming your Indigenous heritage on the Services Australia website.
For more details on confirming Australian Citizenship, read more about this on this on the Department of Home Affairs website.
Other requirements
To be eligible for the IAP, you may need to engage in a pre-employment screening process. This process may include:
- a requirement to undergo and satisfy a national police history check
- referee checks
- an employment history integrity check
- a health clearance
- a Working with Children and Vulnerable People Check.
For more information about eligibility, see Who we’re looking for in the Australian Government Indigenous Apprenticeships Program.
How to apply
Applications for the 2026 Australian Government Indigenous Apprenticeships Program have now closed.
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.
If you are successful in the process, you will get the opportunity to nominate DEWR as your preferred department.
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