Graduate Program – Research and Development Tax

About BDO

At BDO Australia, our why is ‘empowering people, realising possibilities’. One way we bring this to life is by hiring and developing exceptional talent, to deliver on our wide array of audit, tax and advisory services.

About the Role

Join our Graduate Program as a Graduate Consultant within our Research & Development (R&D) Tax team, starting January 2027.

The Australian Government provides incentives to encourage innovation, research and technological advancement. Our R&D Tax team helps organisations access these incentives by identifying eligible activities and preparing claims under the R&D Tax Incentive program.

As an R&D Tax Graduate, you'll work with innovative businesses across a wide range of industries, helping them understand and document the projects, technologies and solutions they are developing.

Why Choose R&D Tax?

R&D Tax sits at the intersection of innovation, business and tax.

If you're curious about how new products, technologies and ideas are brought to life, this team provides a unique opportunity to work with organisations at the forefront of innovation.

One of the things that makes R&D Tax unique is the variety of industries, technologies and projects you'll be exposed to.

You could find yourself helping:

• A technology company developing new software solutions
• An engineering firm designing innovative products or processes
• A manufacturer improving production methods and efficiency
• A medical or biotechnology organisation developing new treatments or technologies
• A business investing in research to solve complex industry challenges

Because every client is working on something different, you'll spend your time learning about new technologies, industries and business challenges while helping organisations access funding that supports future innovation.

This variety means you'll develop strong analytical, communication and commercial skills while gaining exposure to cutting-edge projects and emerging technologies.

What You'll Do

As an R&D Tax Graduate at BDO, you can expect to:

• Learn how the Australian R&D Tax Incentive supports innovation across a wide range of industries
• Meet with engineers, scientists, developers and business leaders to understand their projects
• Research industries, technologies and emerging innovations
• Identify activities that may qualify for the R&D Tax Incentive
• Prepare technical project descriptions and supporting documentation
• Analyse financial information and assist with expenditure calculations
• Support the preparation of R&D applications and funding claims
• Work alongside experienced specialists to help clients maximise outcomes under the R&D Tax Incentive

No two projects are the same, providing exposure to different industries, technologies and innovation challenges.

What you’ll get

• 12-month learning and development program
• Support and guidance from your buddy and manager
• Service line specific learning and development, aligned to clear career pathways
• Social activities with your early careers’ cohort, and the wider firm
• Benefits including free breakfast, healthy snacks and dress for your day
• A culture of opportunity, connection, community, and impact
• Global possibilities, we’re in 166 countries.

Eligibility

To be eligible for our Graduate Program, you must be:

• In your final year, or have recently completed an Accounting, Corporate Finance, Commerce, STEM or other relevant undergraduate or postgraduate degree
• Available to start in January 2027.

How to Apply  

Click on the student program and location you want to apply for. Click ‘Apply’ to create your Workday home account, fill out the online application form, select your first and second team preferences, and attach your resume and transcript.   

Applications close at 11:45pm Sunday, 16 August 2026 AEST. We start reviewing applications as soon as they come in, so don’t wait to submit yours!  

Our friendly student recruitment team is here to help you and wants to ensure you are fully supported. If you have any questions, or need any adjustments to the recruitment process, we encourage you to reach out to [email protected].

To learn more about our programs or recruitment process, visit our student careers page.

Why BDO?

Working for BDO you will be part of a growing and market-leading professional services firm. Our national and global footprint provides our people with opportunities to work on interesting client engagements, across diverse industry sectors and services. 

Our open and collaborative culture ensures access to Partners and professional mentors, to guide and accelerate your professional career, across a wide array of career pathways.

We provide our people with various health and wellbeing, social, financial, and professional development benefits to help realise what’s possible.

Participate in fitness challenges, join the BDO run club, or take advantage of exclusive discounts to corporate health insurance, gym, and wellness facilities via our BWell program.

Access financial benefits from travel perks, retail discounts, free breakfast daily, vehicle financing support, employee referral rewards, study, and professional development support.

Our leave options cater to the unique needs of our people; and include cultural and religious leave, paid leave for fertility and IVF treatments, blood donor leave, enhanced family support, plus options to purchase additional leave. You can also give back and get involved in community initiatives via our BCaring program. 

With a strong focus on learning and growth, we provide extensive technical training, dedicated leadership development programs, professional memberships, subscriptions and more.

Our culture is underpinned by our core values (One, Bold, Human, Heart, and Strive). We are proud to be recognised as an Inclusive Employer by the Diversity Council of Australia and an Employer of Choice by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA).

Find out more about our culture and hear from our people via our social channels and career pages.

Apply now to join #teamBDO.