Graduate Program

Our Program

Ignite your career and turn your studies into real-world impact through a program designed to grow your professional future. At the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR), you’ll find our graduate program connects you to friendly, experienced professionals who will help you apply your skills and knowledge as you start your career. Most importantly, you will contribute to work that makes a difference while building your own skills and knowledge for a fulfilling career in the Australian Public Service (APS).

Supporting people in Australia to have safe, secure and well-paid work with the skills for a sustainable future is at the heart of our department’s purpose. We seek to attract curious, enthusiastic, and motivated people who are passionate and want to make a difference to the lives of all Australians.

We offer the opportunity to directly contribute to the shaping of the employment landscape while we ourselves, strive to be a model employer. With us, your efforts will have a tangible impact on job seekers, employees and the economy by giving them a framework to build a future anchored and realised through employment.

What we offer

The department offers a 10-month graduate program, from February to December each year, which provides graduates with:

• an ongoing, full-time position commencing at an APS4.1 with a starting salary of $84,828 with the opportunity to advance to an APS5.1 based on successful completion of the program
• on-the-job experience including the opportunity to work and learn from subject matter experts
• two diverse work placements which provide the opportunity to work on a variety of programs and policies developed and implemented by the department
• a formal learning and development program designed to equip you with core foundational skills
• opportunities to be involved in a wide range of networks, social events and activities
• a unique buddy program that fosters supportive connections and a smooth transition into the department
• a supportive, inclusive, and flexible working environment
• a generous relocation assistance package for graduates moving to Canberra
• excellent employment conditions with competitive remuneration, superannuation, and employee entitlements.

What are we looking for?

At DEWR, we’re looking for graduates with a range of experiences and skills, from diverse backgrounds, who:

• Demonstrate curiosity and intellectual agility
• Bring strong analytical capability and a genuine interest in tackling complex challenges
• Communicate with clarity and confidence and build strong relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders
• Show adaptability, initiative and professionalism in dynamic and evolving environments
• Uphold integrity, accountability and public sector values in everything they do
• Pursue growth opportunities and take ownership of their development and performance

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for our Graduate Program, you will be required to:

• be an Australian Citizen or going to be granted Australian citizenship before you commence and be able to provide evidence of this.
• have successfully completed a Bachelor degree or higher within five years prior to the start date of the Graduate Program. You will be required to provide evidence of completion before the start of the program.
• obtain and maintain a valid Australian Government Baseline security clearance.
• relocate to Canberra for the commencement of the program if the position requires you to.
• satisfy the relevant medical checks (if required for the position).

If your only qualification is from an overseas institution, you will need to provide Australian documentation recognising your qualification(s). Refer to the Department of Education for more information about recognition of overseas qualifications.

We work collaboratively with other APS agencies to recruit talented individuals through other speciality graduate and entry level programs. These speciality graduate programs are co-ordinated centrally by Australian Government Graduate Program (AGGP). Our Department participates in the below AGGP streams.

To apply, click on the stream below and follow the instructions to submit your application.

• Accounting and Financial Management Stream
• Data Stream
• Digital Stream
• Generalist Stream
• Human Resource Stream
• Legal Stream
• Economist Stream
• STEM Stream
• Indigenous Graduate Stream

To complete and submit your application, you will need to:

• confirm your eligibility
• provide your personal, employment and qualification details
• provide your resume
• list your referee details
• provide a short pitch (if required for your chosen stream)

Applying to one of these speciality streams means you only have to go through the application and selection process for your selected speciality stream once to be considered for a range of Australian Government agencies.

Make sure you nominate the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations as your preferred agency for your chance to join us!

New and recent graduates with Higher Education (university) qualifications are encouraged to apply. The Generalist, Data, and Digital streams will close on 31 March 2026. The Economist stream will close on 07 April 2026. All remaining streams will close on 13 April 2026.

For more information about our program, please contact entrylevel@dewr.gov.au.

More information about Graduate Streams

About the recruitment process

Applying to one of these speciality streams means you only have to go through the application and selection process for your selected speciality stream once. This streamlined process enables you to be considered for a range of Australian Government agencies.

Once you apply, you’ll receive an automated response acknowledging your application has been completed.

You will then be advised at each stage of the process if you have progressed further. During the process, you will get the chance to preference departments. Make sure you nominate the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations as your preferred agency for your chance to join us!

The recruitment process varies slightly for each stream and may involve multiple merit-based assessment stages which candidates are required to satisfy in order to progress and be found suitable for a placement in the merit pool.

Some of the stages may include:

• Online application/Written pitch
• Online testing
• Assessment Centre (which many include a behavioural panel interview, technical activity, group activity, individual presentation, written activity).

Whilst specific dates may vary for each stream, the dates below are an approximate guide of the timings for each assessment stage.