Australian Government - Digital Graduate Programs & Internships

If you're passionate about digital technologies and have a knack for problem solving, we have a career in government for you.

A career with the Australian Government can give you valuable industry experience while working on projects that help everyone. From technical problem solving and analytics to digital design and development, you can find an opportunity to suit your level of skill and experience.

You’ll get to:

• work on things that matter
• gain a relevant qualification
• learn and be mentored by experienced professionals
• gain practical industry experience
• apply once for many opportunities across government
• get membership to the Australian Computing Society
• attend professional networking events
• access private training about emerging digital trends
• get support for your future career progression
• access flexible working arrangements
• earn a competitive starting salary

Explore your options with the Digital Emerging Talent Programs to get started on a rewarding and meaningful future.

Find your fit

We are looking for people who want to use their digital skills to find their fit and build a better Australia.

Government agencies have many different digital and technical roles. These roles support the core functions of each agency. Past participants have worked in:

• cyber security
• digital media
• user research
• programming
• interactive media
• software engineering
• big data
• networking
• systems analysis and design
• web development
• data analytics
• systems testing
• infrastructure support
• networking
• applications development.

To learn more about how the digital skills you have gained at university apply to digital roles in government, you can access the Australian Public Service Career Pathfinder tool. The tool allows you to explore digital roles based on your current skills and interests, and shows you the skills you might need to land a job that interests you.

Who you’ll be working for

Positions are available across the Australian Public Service. Agencies vary each year and agency participation is through opt-in basis. Please visit the Australian Government Career Pathways page for information regarding participating agencies.

Benefits

As a participant you’ll get:

• full-time permanent employment – pending a successful probation period
• qualifications in digital technology for government
• career coaching and mentoring
• flexible working arrangements
• competitive salary and super
• membership to the Australian Computing Society (ACS)
• access to private training about emerging digital trends.

As a participant in the programs you may also undertake rotations through various digital areas and roles.

Support and coaching

You will have support from your supervisor and a dedicated career liaison to give you the best chance of success.

Your supervisor will provide guidance and feedback on day-to-day tasks and help you understand how your work is contributing to the agency’s goals. As a graduate you’ll:

• do meaningful work from day one
• be given guidance on finding your fit
• be asked to contribute
• be recognised for your perspective
• see the impact you can make in the Australian community we serve.

Your career liaison will help you with your studies and job skills. They will help guide your professional development towards a successful and rewarding career.

You will also get to network with other participants and develop professional relationships that will support you throughout your career.

Australian Government Digital Graduate Program

The Digital Graduate Program gives you an opportunity to excel in a digital or technical career after you’ve graduated from university. As a recent graduate, you’ll have an opportunity to further develop your skills while working for the Australian Government.

The Digital Graduate Program is for Australian citizens who've completed a university degree in a digital or technical field within the last 5 years or will complete their degree in the current year.

We are looking for people who want to use their digital skills to build a better Australia.

If you've studied one of the listed degrees then you should consider applying.

Double and honours degrees in these fields are also accepted.

If your degree is not listed but you believe it's suited to a digital graduate placement please get in touch to discuss your options.

Find your fit

Government agencies have many different digital and technical roles. These roles support the core functions of each agency. Past graduates have worked in:

• cyber security
• digital media
• user research
• programming
• interactive media
• software engineering
• big data
• networking
• systems analysis and design
• web development
• data analytics
• systems testing
• infrastructure support
• networking
• applications development.

To learn more about how the digital skills you have gained at university apply to digital roles in government, you can access the Australian Public Service Career Pathfinder tool. The tool allows you to explore digital roles based on your current skills and interests, and shows you the skills you might need to land a job that interests you.

Who you’ll be working for

Positions will be available across the Australian Public Service. Agencies vary each year and agency participation is through opt-in basis. Please visit the Australian Government Graduate Portal for information regarding participating agencies.

Benefits

In a graduate job you’ll get:

• full-time permanent employment – pending a successful probation period
• post-graduate qualification in digital technology for government
• career coaching and mentoring
• flexible working arrangements
• competitive salary and super
• membership to the Australian Computing Society (ACS)
• access to private training about emerging digital trends.

In the graduate program you may undertake rotations through various digital areas and roles.

Support and coaching

You will have support from your supervisor and a dedicated career liaison to give you the best chance of success.

Your supervisor will provide guidance and feedback on day-to-day tasks and help you understand how your work is contributing to the agency’s goals. As a graduate you’ll:

• do meaningful work from day one
• be given guidance on finding your fit
• be asked to contribute
• be recognised for your perspective
• see the impact you can make in the Australian community we serve.
• Your career liaison will help you with your studies and job skills. They will help guide your professional development towards a successful and rewarding career.

You will also get to network with other participants and develop professional relationships that will support you throughout your career.

How to Apply

Applications for the Program are open in March each year.

You'll need these documents to apply:

• proof of Australian Citizenship (Birth Certificate or Passport) or application to become an Australian citizen
• passport size photo
• a copy of your university transcript
• a resume.

Eligible candidates will be:

• an Australian citizen at time of application
• have completed an eligible digital Australian Qualifications Framework Level 7 qualification (a Bachelor degree), or higher equivalent by the end of the current year*
• have completed their eligible digital qualification within the last 5 years
• be able to obtain and maintain a valid Australian Government security clearance once accepted into the program where required
• be willing to undergo any Police, character, health or other checks required.

*As part of the application process you will be required to include your latest academic transcript.

The Digital Cadetship Program gives you an opportunity to practice and develop your skills while you’re still studying. You’ll get to work in the industry while you finish studying and get a leg-up for a successful digital or technical career with the Australian Government.

Who is this program for?

The Digital Cadetship Program is for Australian citizens who are currently studying an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in a digital or technology-related field.

If you’ve completed the minimum 1st year (or equivalent) of your degree by January 2023 you can apply for the digital cadetship program.

If you’re currently studying one of the listed degrees then you should consider applying.

Double and honours degrees in these fields are also accepted.

If your degree is not listed but you believe it’s suited to a digital cadetship placement please get in touch to discuss your options.

Applications for the Digital Graduate Program are open in May each year.

The Digital Apprenticeship Program is for people looking for a career change or finishing year 12. You’ll get to work with digital technologies and solve problems for things that matter. No degree necessary.

Who is this program for?

The Digital Apprenticeship Program is for Australian citizens who are passionate about digital technology.

You don’t need a degree or any prior study for the program. You just need to be interested in digital tech and solving problems. So if you’re looking for a career change or finishing year 12, this program is for you.

If you enjoy pulling apart or building PCs, setting up home networks, building apps, finding trends in data or simply problem solving and making things simple, then you should consider applying.

Applications for the Digital Graduate Program are open in May each year.

There are 3 stages of the application assessment process:

Stage 1
Online application

• we will review your responses to the assessment questions looking at how best skills and attributes have been demonstrated for digital roles
• we will review your work-related qualities to perform duties.

If our selection panel finds suitable qualities, you will be shortlisted for an online interview. If you are not shortlisted, you will be notified by email as soon as possible.

Stage
Online panel interview

You will be asked behavioural and scenario-base questions to demonstrate skills and abilities.

If you are found suitable you will be placed in the merit pool. If you are found highly suitable you may be invited at a later stage to the speed matching round. In both cases you will be notified by email of the outcome.

If you were not suitable you will be notified by email as soon as possible.

Stage 3
Online speed matching

This is a short online session with staff from all participating agencies. It’s an opportunity to showcase your skills and find out more about the agencies and what they are looking for. This is also an opportunity for agencies to review your skills and interest.

You will be asked to preference agencies you would like to be a graduate in. Agencies will also preference graduates they would like to hire. We will review all preferences and work with agencies to assist them make offers for roles.

Often there are more graduates than agencies. If you are not matched with an agency you will remain in the merit pool for future consideration, which will remain open for 18 months.

The complete application assessment process usually takes around 6 months from the time applications close.

RecruitAbility

RecruitAbility applies to all Digital Emerging Talent Program vacancies. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare that you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information please visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability.

Australian Public Service Gender Equality Strategy

The Digital Emerging Talent Programs are committed to ensuring that everyone has an opportunity to make the most of their experiences, skills and talent. The Australian Public Service Gender Equality Strategy 2021-26 seeks to drive practical and impactful action for lasting change. For more information please visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/working-aps/diversity-and-inclusion/gender-equality