Australian Government Graduate Program - Data Stream

Shape Tomorrow. Become a data graduate in the Australian Government.

Data graduates in the Australian Government have access to unparalleled datasets. Your analysis and storytelling will help shape decisions for policy makers, understanding the impact of and inform Government response to significant events such as natural disasters, conflict and COVID-19.

We are seeking recent university graduates who want to make a meaningful difference to the Australian public.

Data roles can be varied and support evidence-based, informed decision making, in all aspects of Government, such as policy development, research, program management and service delivery.

Data graduate roles cover the full data lifecycle including metadata, survey and questionnaire development, research, data acquisition, data engineering and data analysis, as well as more specialised streams such as data science, methodology, geospatial analysis and data management.

What type of work is involved?

Led by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the Australian Government Graduate Program Data Stream recruits positions for over 300 data graduate roles on behalf of over 40 Australian Government and Commonwealth agencies

We are recruiting Data Generalists, Data Scientists and Mathematician/Statisticians. Which stream best suits you?

Data Generalist

Roles filled through the Data Generalist stream include Data Analysts, Data Engineers, Data Managers and Geospatial Analysts. Data Generalists lead the design, analysis and delivery of relevant, trusted and objective statistics and data-related insights.

Recent work undertaken by APS data analyst graduates included exploring tertiary educational attainment by equity groups, impacts of COVID-19 to International Trade, analysing tax revenue data, and building models using school NAPLAN data. Using departmental and government integrated datasets, Graduates prepared, analysed, and communicated the results bringing insights to policy makers and stakeholders.

Qualifications and Experience: There are no requirements for any degrees or disciplines, though people who have undertaken data subjects are more likely to be successful.

Data Scientists

Roles filled through the Data Scientist stream include Applied Data Scientists, Data Science Developers and Data Modellers. Data Scientists apply advanced analytics techniques and scientific principles to extract valuable information from data for business decision-making, strategic planning and other uses.

Data scientists apply advanced analytics techniques and scientific principles to extract valuable information from data for business decision-making, strategic planning and other uses.

Recent work undertaken by APS Data Scientists includes the development and application of a range of advanced statistical, graph-theoretic, natural language processing (NLP) and AI / machine learning techniques, systems and pipelines for: automatically classifying and extracting information from text; combining and analysing heterogeneous multisource data for new insights into important policy problems; identifying and characterising complex relationship structures in survey, administrative and ‘big’ data sets; leveraging the information value of novel data sources to augment and transform statistical production; and automating the editing of large administrative data sets.

Qualifications and Experience: To be eligible for the Data Science stream, you must either:

• have qualification/s in data science, statistics, computer science, mathematics, actuarial studies, physics, engineering, economics, econometrics, OR
• have qualification/s in any other disciplines with a strong quantitative component. 

Mathematician / Statisticians

Roles filled through the Mathematician/Statistician stream include Statisticians, Mathematicians and Evaluation Specialists. Mathematicians/Statisticians provide specialist statistical advice on the methods used to produce high quality official statistics and generate timely new insights.

Mathematicians/Statisticians identify, research, implement and maintain a range of innovative statistical solutions to embrace new methods and data sources.

Recent work undertaken by APS Mathematicians/Statisticians has focused on developing methods to create new timely economic indicators using new data sources; quantitative data evaluation including identifying statistical data gaps and performing statistical evaluations, researching and developing methods to improve data linking; developing solutions to enhance surveys and reduce burden on respondents; and developing confidentiality solutions to assist with the safe dissemination of statistical products, designing and evaluating experiments to assess improvements to organisation practices.

Qualifications and Experience: To be eligible for the Mathematician/Statistician stream, you must either:

• have qualification/s in statistics (including biostatistics), mathematics, econometrics, actuarial studies, physics, data science, machine learning and artificial intelligence, operations research, OR
• completed quantitative subjects in qualifications such as in science, commerce, business/data analytics, computer science, or engineering.

Your results/performance during your studies may also be considered. 

Who can apply? 

To be suitable as a Data Graduate, you will have all or most of the below criteria: 

• proficient data skills
• sound communication (written, verbal and presentation)
• interpersonal skills
• problem solving and sound judgement.

What is on offer?

As a graduate in the Australian Government you’ll do meaningful work from day one. You will be asked to contribute, be recognised for your perspective and see the impact you can make in the Australian community we serve.

We are looking for people who have a passion for data and want to use and hone their skills to build a better Australia.

The employment conditions with the Australian Government make it a leading employer of choice, and includes:

• attractive salaries
• structured professional development with clear objectives
• commitment to inclusion and diversity of APS workforce
• generous superannuation entitlements
• access to extensive datasets
• secure employment
• flexible work practices
• excellent leave conditions
• opportunities to move between agencies during your career. 

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