ANAO Graduate Programs

We are a specialist public sector agency that supports the Auditor-General of Australia to conduct audits of Australian Government agencies. We report to the Parliament and are proud of the important role we play in keeping government agencies accountable for their exercise of authority and expenditure of public funds.

We exist to support accountability and transparency in government—our work keeps the Parliament and public informed about how government agencies are performing, maintaining pressure on them to perform and helping them to improve the way they work. 

We are driven by our strong culture of integrity and independence, and our people are committed to fully understanding and shining a light on aspects of public administration for the benefit of everyone. 

The work we do

Through our audits we investigate how government agencies operate, including their finances and how they manage programs, implement policy and run IT systems to achieve the aims of government.  

We independently select, analyse and audit topics of significant public interest, investment and importance, like Defence capability, government cyber resilience, delivery of major infrastructure, administration of public grants schemes and programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

We examine topics like:

• program implementation, management and monitoring
• IT systems
• financial statements
• service delivery
• procurement processes, contract and grants management
• management of defence assets
• policy development processes
• and more!

See the big picture

Don’t pigeonhole your career. Get a unique and broad introduction to the work of government at the ANAO that’ll give you a career edge. Examine finances or performance across government, learning how its agencies function individually and in combination to support Australia’s democracy. 

See first-hand how senior leaders operate

Enjoy opportunities to work side-by-side and learn from senior leaders inside and outside of the ANAO. Have unmatched access to some of the public service’s best and brightest.

See action

Don’t be sidelined with busy work or a “special project.” Be a valued member of an audit team from day one—with real work and real responsibility. Make a difference by keeping government agencies transparent and accountable. See your work published and tabled in parliament. 

See where your ANAO career takes you

Not sure where your career is headed? Here you’ll get a strong foundation to build upon. Develop highly regarded people and work skills that’ll expand your career options—all while you’re learning to audit. Find the space to explore your aspirations with flexibility and choice in your placements.  

Our graduate program is open between February and April each year. 

We accept graduates of all degrees and disciplines into our program. More so than seeking graduates with the ‘right’ degree, we’re looking for people that are motivated, curious, team-minded and skilled in communicating with others — and that will fit with our high integrity and performance culture. 

If that’s you, we encourage you to apply. In our program we’ll value you for your unique skills, attributes and experiences, and help you learn the audit technical skills you need.

Teams you can join

Where you start out at the ANAO will depend on what you’re interested in, as well as your qualifications. You could make your mark at the ANAO: 

Investigating the financial statements of government agencies

In our Assurance Audit Services Group you’ll conduct important annual financial statement audits of Australian Government agencies. Working in an environment where profit is not the driver, your job will be rewarding and challenging as you help improve the standards of public sector financial management and administration. 

Find out more in ‘Job Opportunities’ under ANAO 2022 Graduate Program—assurance audit.

Evaluating the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of programs, initiatives and systems

In our Performance Audit Services Group you’ll research and analyse a variety of issues of public policy and administration, developing deep insight and identifying improvements to how government agencies do their work.  

Find out more in ‘Job Opportunities’ under ANAO 2022 Graduate Program—performance audit.

Analysing big data or investigating IT systems

In our Systems Assurance and Data Analytics group you’ll use your cutting edge knowledge of system administration, database development, data analysis or financial systems management to conduct IT audits of some of the Australian Government’s most complex and expensive IT systems!

Find out more in ‘Job Opportunities’ under ANAO 2022 Graduate Program—systems assurance and data analytics.

Understanding and giving advice on accounting standards and frameworks

In our Professional Services and Relationships Group you’ll give specialist audit and accounting advice and support to our auditors in the field and create auditing methodologies, tools and guidance.  

Find out more in ‘Job Opportunities’ under ANAO 2022 Graduate Program—accounting professional services. 

Working with the people, policies, processes and systems that support our business

In our Corporate Management Group you’ll work in your own specialist area (like human resources, communication, finance, IT or governance) to support our audit work and lead change across our organisation.

Find out more in ‘Job Opportunities’ under ANAO 2022 Graduate Program—corporate services. 

**Don’t want to limit yourself to just one of these work groups or types of work? That’s okay, we offer you flexibility in trying work in different groups over your graduate year.**

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Former ANAO graduates—where are they now?

Angus Hirst

Then: Graduate Program, 2016
Now: Contract and Programs Manager, Information Services

“I started at the ANAO as a performance audit graduate. Four years later, after a move to the corporate group, I’m responsible for managing the ANAO’s biggest contracts with outsourced IT and building services providers. My work ensures our auditors have the spaces and technology they need to work effectively. You might not know your career path but the ANAO graduate program will give you the training and skills you need to take it in any direction.”

Nathan Callaway

Then: Graduate Program, 2011
Now: Director, Performance Audit

“The ANAO has been an excellent place to work, providing me with many opportunities to develop my skills and experience. Two of the most valuable aspects have been the diversity in the nature of the work that I have done, and the level of responsibility that I have been given. After nine years, I am still being challenged and continuously improving my skills and experience.”

Pooja Bajaj

Then: Graduate Program, 2017
Now: Senior Auditor, Assurance Audit

“From knowing little about audit to leading a team on one of ANAO’s largest audits (and managing multiple others), it has been an amazing journey. The ANAO has not only provided me with the opportunity to develop and improve my understanding of financial statements, but has helped me extend my skills and knowledge into other areas—like my analytical rigor and leadership skills.” 

Sara Casey

Then: Graduate Program, 2017
Now: Director, Performance Audit

“I graduated university with an Honours degree in psychology, but my work at the ANAO has taken me in a direction I never expected while I was studying. I use the research and analysis skills from my degree to evaluate a portfolio of military equipment worth over $60 billion, and only six months after completing my graduate program, I was selected to be a senior analyst on this portfolio. The ANAO is a great place to learn new things and apply your degree in a different way.”  

Ben Siddans

Then: Graduate Program, 2011
Now: Senior Director, Analytics, Technology and Innovation

“I feel that the ANAO as provided me with a diversity of different experiences, which have allowed me to develop a variety of useful skills and gain an understanding of how various parts of the Australian Public Service operate. I’ve also been provided with opportunities to challenge myself, like presenting to important stakeholders, develop solutions for complex issues, and be involved in improving to the way we work. The work I am doing is always changing, which has in turn meant that I’m always learning new things and developing myself further.”

Alicia Vaughan 

Then: Graduate Program, 2016
Now: Senior Performance Analyst

“Since joining the ANAO fresh out of university, I have been able to enrich my skills and experience in a way I had never expected. I have now worked on eight performance audits across a wide variety of government portfolios, undertaken a secondment to Parliament House and contributed to the ANAO’s work in unstructured data analytics and reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. The ANAO has given me the best possible start to my career and has supported me to grow in both confidence and capability.”

Kelvin Le

Then: Graduate Program, 2016
Now: Senior Auditor, System Assurance and Data Analytics

“At the ANAO, graduates are treated as if they’re all potential leaders. The office culture encourages managers to challenge and stretch the skillsets and capabilities of their grads. Combining with formal training, on-the-job-training and lots of guidance, the challenges I’ve been set have helped me develop so many new technical and soft skills. If you, like me, believe that learning opportunities hide just beyond your comfort zone, the ANAO is an excellent place to start out."

• Ongoing employment with generous conditions and a starting salary of $64,698 plus 15.4 per cent superannuation
• Opportunities to work side-by-side with senior leaders
• Tailored learning and development with placements based on your personal career and development goals
• Access to mentoring program and two buddies
• Option of continued training and support into your second year, including access to generous studies assistance
• Fresh, modern activity based work environment
• A positive approach to flexible work and work life balance
• Relocation assistance if you need to move to Canberra from interstate.