The Department of Defence is one of Australia’s largest organisations and has a key role as part of the Federal Government. We are seeking graduates from all university disciplines for work across the career spectrum.

As a graduate in the Department of Defence, you will enjoy experiences that, as a civilian, you simply wouldn’t find with any other organisation. You will work with a diverse group of men and women who are dedicated to protecting Australian interests. You will carry out work that has true purpose.

Culture and misconceptions about civilian employment

Did you know there are 17,000 civilian employees in the Department of Defence? Watch Defence’s graduates discuss common misconceptions about being a Defence Australian Public Servant and find out how they work with their military colleagues.

Make a difference, Have an Impact.

With a mission of national and international significance, in one of Australia’s most dynamic organisations, Defence is seeking graduates from across all academic disciplines to take up the challenge.

In 2020 the Civilian Defence workforce took part in several operations to directly assist the Australian public through unprecedented times. To find out how Defence Graduates Sebastian & Holly volunteered to help vulnerable Australians during the COVID-19 pandemic you can read the article on the Canberra Times.

As a graduate in the Department of Defence, you will enjoy experiences that, as a civilian, you simply wouldn’t find with any other organisation. You will work with a diverse group of men and women who are dedicated to protecting Australian interests. You will carry out work that has true purpose. The Department offers Australian Public Service (APS) graduate opportunities across a range of career pathways. Each development pathway is tailored to provide excellent learning and career progression opportunities to propel you into your future career with confidence. We are one of Australia's largest government departments and as such, we are able to offer rewarding careers across the widest possible spectrum of employment categories. You name it, we do it. 

As a Defence Australian Public Service (APS) graduate, you will make a difference through supporting regional security and humanitarian efforts, conducting intelligence analysis, purchasing and sustaining Australian Defence Force equipment, conducting research and development, or providing strategic advice for policy and business decision making. Watch this video to find out why our graduates picked the Defence Graduate program.

Learn and Develop with Defence

You will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in targeted, rotation specific training that will provide you with the skills and knowledge required to undertake rewarding, exciting, challenging and meaningful work.

Defence is committed to lifelong learning. Hear from Defence’s graduates about their most memorable rotation, and find out how the Defence Graduate Program offers a tailored learning and development program that will propel you into your future career with confidence. If you want unrivalled learning and development opportunities, you will find it at Defence.

A career in the Defence APS will support you from entry and onward as you professionally develop and progress. Our logic is simple - as you grow and develop your skills and experience, so does the contribution you make to Departmental and team goals. 

You will receive training and development specific to your graduate development pathway. Further study is encouraged once you have completed the graduate program, with a wide range of post- graduate university study supported by Defence. We value our employees and place importance on encouraging further career and knowledge development, training through such programs as Studybank and access to degree programs through the University of NSW @ ADFA campus.

The Career Progression Opportunities

You will be in charge of your own career pathway and your dedicated Graduate Management Team will support you to achieve your career aspirations. Upon successful completion of your graduate program, you will be placed into a permanent position in Defence.

Working in an Inclusive Culture

Defence employees uphold and demonstrate respectful, professional and inclusive behaviours, and as Defence Public Service graduate, you will work in an integrated team alongside your Australian Defence Force colleagues to achieve Defence’s goals and mission. Defence encourages work-life balance, and you will be provided generous leave entitlements and flexible work options to achieve this.

Defence graduates work on average 7.5 hours per day. Flexible work hours are offered as an alternative to the traditional 9–5 work day and allow staff to vary their daily arrival or departure time to fit within their work area requirements and their lifestyle. Generally, the span of time within which staff can work their required hours on a flexible basis is between 7am–7pm, but individual arrangements may be negotiated to fit in with your team, work and personal circumstance requirements.

Salary, Position Type and Leave Entitlements

Defence APS staff are employed under the Defence Enterprise Collective Agreement. Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) graduates are employed under the ASD Conditions of Employment (Non SES) Determination 2018. All of our graduates are employed as permanent full-time employees upon commencement of the program. So once employed, you don't have to worry about competing for a position at the end of the development program.

Graduates for all development pathways will commence on a salary of that is equivalent to the bottom of the Defence APS 4: $71,207 pa plus 15.4% superannuation. Upon successful completion of the Defence Graduate Program, graduates will advance to a minimum of $77,739 pa plus 15.4% superannuation.

As full-time Defence employees, graduates are offered generous leave entitlements, including 20 days annual leave per year, public holidays, paid sick leave, paid Christmas stand-down, plus one "unspecified purposes leave day", which we call the DeCA day. It's always nice to have one day up your sleeve when you don't need a reason to have a day off.

We Cover Your Relocation Expenses

Transition from study to career can be a challenging one. For many, it is the also first time they have lived away from home, and most graduates are moving interstate. We work hard to make the whole process as easy as possible for you, and offer a generous financial package to meet the costs involved with relocation.

The Defence Graduate Program offers four specialised pathways tailored to graduate areas of interest and previous studies. During the application process, you are encouraged to preference two pathway roles. For example, in your application you may preference Technical Pathway Cyber Role, and Policy and Corporate Pathway Analyst Role. 

Intelligence Pathway 

For graduates with an aptitude for analysis, technology, innovation, critical thinking and problem solving, who want to begin a career in one of the three Defence Intelligence Agencies. 

Technical Pathway 

For graduates who are interested in technical roles like, engineering, planning and logistics within Defence.

Aimed at graduates with a degree in Business, Commerce, Engineering, Information & Communication Technology, Cyber Security, Logistics, Project Management, Procurement, Scheduling and Planning.

Research and Innovation Pathway 

For Honours graduates interested in supporting the delivery of specialist scientific advice and innovative technological solutions to safeguard Australia and its national security and prosperity. 

Policy and Corporate Pathway 

For graduates who are interested in enabling the Defence mission through roles in management, administration, personnel, and strategic and international policy.

The Defence Graduate Program includes: 

• Opportunities to make an impact and do meaningful work from day one in the Program. 
• A competitive financial package and assistance with relocation costs, as well as membership or accreditation with professional associations. 
• Tailored Graduate learning development program, including social, experiential and foundational learning.
• Generous leave entitlements and flexible work options to help achieve a work and life balance.
• Personal and professional career development opportunities with diverse and varied rotations across Defence, including, Navy, Army or Air Force. 
• Practical learning opportunities with exposure to Defence technology and base tours.
• A permanent position and access to additional study assistance if required after successful completion of the Defence Graduate Program.
• Working alongside a diverse group of people who are dedicated to protecting Australia’s national interests.  

Candidates must be Australian citizens to be eligible for employment for the Defence Graduate Program.

Key Dates: 

• 27 February 2023 – Applications Open 
• 12 April 2023 – Applications Close 
• End of May 2023 – Virtual Assessment Centres commence
• First Week of August 2023 – Virtual Assessment Centre conclude
• Early September 2023 – Offers and outcomes announced, Intelligence Pathway applicants may be required to complete further suitability assessments which may result in a slight delay offers and outcomes.
• February 2024 – Commence Graduate Program
• June 2024 – Intelligence Pathway Commences Graduate Program

The STEM Cadetship offers students a head start to a rewarding career in Defence by offering an entry-level employment pathway for high performing tertiary students currently studying a relevant STEM degree.

As a STEM Cadet, you will be employed as an Australian Public Service (APS) employee where you will be provided with real-world, practical and high-quality work in the Department of Defence.

http://www.defence.gov.au/APSCareers/stem-cadetship.asp

During the STEM Cadetship, you will be able to apply your discipline, academic knowledge and skills to contribute to Defence’s current projects. Similarly, you will be able to apply the practical skills and knowledge that you learn from Defence back into your studies.

Find out how your university discipline can lead to a rewarding, challenging and meaningful career in Defence. The STEM Cadetship will provide you with excellent learning and career development opportunities to propel you into your future career with confidence.

What's in it for you?

• Ongoing (permanent) employment with a minimum annual salary of $52,652 pro rata plus 15.4% superannuation  during your cadetship;
• Reimbursement of compulsory university fees (i.e. course fees) for your STEM degree, upon successful completion of the relevant STEM units each semester;
• Reimbursement for the cost of books/resources required for your STEM degree up to a maximum of $1,000 (GST Inclusive) per year;
• 60-days (minimum) work placements per annum in Defence;
• A $3,000 bursary payment per year; and
• Guaranteed employment with Defence upon successful completion of the Cadetship.

Eligibility

• Australian citizenship; and
• A credit average (GPA ≥ 5 on a seven point scale); and
• Will complete their tertiary studies (including Honours/Masters) between the end of Semester Two 2021 and the end of Semester Two 2024; and
• Are currently enrolled in a relevant STEM undergraduate (with Honours/Masters) degree or are eligible and agree to undertake an Honours/Masters degree as part of the STEM Cadetship if required.
• Have 12 months full-time tertiary study (equivalent to 8 units per year) remaining at the time of the Cadetship Program commencement.

Click here for more information about the STEM Cadetship.

The STEM Cadetship offers tertiary students a head-start with a unique career in Defence. The STEM Cadetship is an entry-level employment pathway for high performing tertiary students currently studying a relevant Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) degree.

A civilian STEM career in Defence offers students exposure to technical and scientific expertise, diverse learning opportunities and unique development experiences. 

STEM cadets have access to cutting edge technology and will experience an inclusive, stimulating and dynamic environment that fosters innovation, creativity and problem solving. STEM cadets can immerse themselves in practical work that will provide them with the skills and knowledge required to undertake rewarding, exciting, challenging and meaningful work whilst completing their studies.

A STEM cadet receives:

• Ongoing (part-time) Australian Public Service (APS) employment with the Department of Defence.
• A minimum of 60 paid work placement days per Cadetship year. A Cadetship year is defined as the 12 month period following commencement on the Cadetship Program.
• A minimum annual salary of $52,652 pro rata plus 15.4% superannuation. Based on the completion of 60 work placement days, this equates to a minimum salary of $12,150 per annum.
• Reimbursement of compulsory university fees (i.e. course fees) for their STEM degree, upon successful completion of the relevant STEM units each semester.
• Reimbursement for the cost of books/resources required for their STEM degree up to a maximum of $1,000 (GST Inclusive) per year.
• A $3,000 bursary payment per year.
• Progression to a full-time ongoing APS Level 4 or Science & Technology (S&T) Level 3 position within the STEM cadets’ work placement Group/Service or transition into the Defence Graduate Program on successful completion of their relevant STEM degree and all requirements of the program.
• Mentorship by senior scientists, engineers, IT professionals or mathematicians, and be provided with world class training to help gain and expand your skills.

This year, Defence is one of many Australian Public Service (APS) agencies participating in a new APS Human Resource (HR) Graduate Development program. If you have HR qualifications and are pursuing a HR career with the APS, you could be one of the first to benefit from this program.

As a HR professional in the APS, you will contribute to managing our most valuable asset – our people – and play a crucial role in shaping the future of the APS.

If you are interested in applying for an APS HR graduate position, visit the dedicated HR Graduate Program website at https://www.apshrgrads.com.au for more information, and apply just once to be considered for opportunities in both Defence and other participating APS agencies.

Research and Innovation Pathway

A Day in Monique’s life

6:30am
I usually wake up around 6:30am and take my dog for a walk around the local park with my husband. I then get ready for the day (which always includes breakfast while watching Fox Sport News!) and drive to work. I live in a small town about 60 km from Adelaide city, and the drive to Edinburgh is about 30 km, but there are no traffic lights and there is rarely any traffic on the way, so the drive is quite relaxing.

8:30am
I generally arrive at work around 8:30am, although I do not have a firm start or finish time most days since my team has quite flexible work hours (as do most at DST). I usually start my day by making myself a coffee and checking my emails. Triaging and responding to emails usually takes around half an hour, and doing it first thing in the morning helps me to get on top of things for the rest of the day. I then might complete some small packages of work that I can get through in an hour or so, before our 10 am team meeting. These tasks can include things like administration, reading relevant research papers, reviewing documents, and so on.

10:00am
Our team of seven people comes together every Monday to discuss the events of the previous week, plan for the upcoming week, and raise any issues. When we are operating a satellite, this meeting is typically focused on the outcome of operations – such as, what data has been collected, what activities have the satellite performed, what is the current satellite health and performance, what is the focus for the next week of operations. We also review an on-going team ‘to do’ list for longer-term tasks, which ranges from analysis to administrative tasks. This meeting usually goes for about an hour, and afterwards we all generally have a good feel for what we need to do over the upcoming week.

11am
I usually have a bit more time now to delve into a more involved tasks. I have a mechanical engineering background, so my responsibilities often involve tasks such as analysing on-orbit satellite data, creating models or simulations to test or reproduce particular activities, and engineering analysis and design jobs for a space system under development. I often use software such as Matlab, Satellite Took Kit and CAD to assist me to do these tasks. 

12:30pm
At lunch time, I either go for a run around the DST site, and then eat my lunch, or just take a short break in the office kitchen to eat lunch. We have showers in our building, so it’s easy to fit in some lunch time exercise.

1pm
If we’re operating a satellite, there are usually a couple of passes over our ground station in the afternoon, and we have an operations roster for the team. Operations involves preparing a set of commands to be sent to the satellite (which are converted to byte sequences) and scheduling our ground station to track and communicate with the satellite as it passes over. 

3pm
After the operations window, I will usually conduct some analysis of the data if it is required, or I will continue with an engineering or research task. This is often the best time of the day to get work done as the office quietens down after operations have finished for the day. 

4:30pm
I typically finish work around 4:30pm and on Monday evenings I head to football training. Footy training really helps to clear my head, and it provides me with work-life balance.

8:30pm
I arrive home at the end of the day and have dinner with my husband and my dog, and we usually watch AFL360 or the latest Netflix show that we’re into! I’m usually pretty tired at the end of a Monday, so I’ll usually be in bed before 11 pm, but always keen for the next day!

Technical Pathway

A Day In Alicia’s Life

07:00am
I try to get some physical activity in before work most mornings with a friend, so I’m usually awake and down at Lake Burley Griffin by this time. A morning walk will get us awake and energised for the day ahead, especially if it’s on a frosty Canberra winter morning.

08:00am
I aim to be in the office by 8:00am most days of the week. Working within the Public Service, I am lucky enough to have fairly flexible working hours, including self managed Flex Time. Usually once I get into the office I will sit down and check my emails, making sure there are no urgent tasks that require completing, and catching up on any new project wide news. I need to look ahead on my calendar so that I can plan my day and my week. Throughout the Graduate Program, and in my current position, there are plenty of opportunities for training and travel, so it’s not unusual to have something on the horizon. In the past year as part of my job role I’ve travelled to various Defence bases, to Woomera for missile testing, and even spent a week at sea aboard HMAS Parramatta.

09:00am
I work in the Platform Systems team of the Hunter Class Frigate Program. In the morning we will gather together to talk about what work will be going on in the office this week. Working on such a large scale project means communication is key, and understanding what the wider project is undertaking ensures a more fluid decision making process.

10:00am
After our meeting, the team gathers together for the daily coffee run. This gives us a chance to get some fresh air and gives a relaxed and casual setting for discussion.

11:00am
The Hunter Class Frigate Program is forging the way for the Continuous Naval Shipbuilding Program, and will deliver a fleet of anti-submarine warfare ships to the Royal Australian Navy. Being in its early stages, my colleagues and I spend a lot of our day trying to familiarise ourselves with the complex design, ensuring that any international engineering standards used by the Ship Manufacturer are sufficient to be used in an Australian end-product. Reading and reviewing any documentation or technical drawings received from our Industry partner on strict deadlines plays a role in our daily work. 

12:30pm
At lunch I try to catch up with friends working in other projects within Defence. It’s good to get an appreciation of other programmes within the acquisition and sustainment field. The work we do directly impacts members of the Australian Defence Force in a bid to make their jobs easier, and to help keep them safe.

1:30pm
After a break, the afternoon is filled with either meetings with relevant stakeholders to discuss current platform design components, liaising with different work areas in the project to ensure smooth integration between on board equipment and the platform, or organising any travel to Shipyards or to Garden Island East to visit ships in our current fleet. Visiting the current Fleet is a great way to understand what we wish to change or keep the same in Future Platforms, and listening to the very valuable experiences of those serving on board is a great way to do so.

3:30pm
I try to debrief with my superiors once a week. This includes taking part in a Naval Mentoring Program. It is important to regularly reflect on the where you want your career to take you in the future, and whether the work you are doing is going to take you in that direction. I have found that my supervisors and mentor are all very encouraging in trying to get me the exposure and experience in areas I hope to explore more. You might never know what you’re missing if you don’t get your feet wet wherever the opportunity arises. 

4:30pm
By now it’s generally home time. I make sure I’ve tied as many loose ends as I can for the day, and write myself a list of tasks to continue tomorrow.

5:00pm
Once I get home, I take my dog for a walk or to the park before cooking dinner. After a high energy day it’s nice to relax and watch television, read a book, or perhaps do some baking.

10:30pm
I try to be in bed by now, so I can be up nice and early to start again.

Defence is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce supported by an inclusive culture. A more diverse workforce supported by an inclusive culture enhances Defence’s capability and effectiveness, as it draws on different ideas to innovate and adapt to a rapidly evolving strategic environment and the changing nature of warfare.

Defence supports a range of programs and initiatives aligned to the APS Disability Employment Strategy 2020-25 to remove real or perceived barriers within the workplace, working across the enterprise and other Government agencies to reflect best practice in supporting its personnel.

Defence recruitment focuses on an applicant’s ability, skills and experience. To support applicants, Defence is committed to making reasonable adjustments at time of recruitment and throughout an employee’s Defence career so that they can optimise their full potential.

Defence has a broad range of recruitment programs, and pathways to increase the participation and support of women, transgender and non-binary people. Strategies focused on leadership, targeted mentoring, education, training, networking and career development, to further enable women to achieve their career aspirations at Defence.

Australian Public Service, Department of Defence staff (l-r) Contestability Division Mr Tom Murphy, Defence Industry Policy Division Ms Madeleine Banister, International Policy Division Mr Mark Bellchambers and Strategic Policy Division Ms Helen Thai. Photo: Megan Popelier. 

Defence understands that people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds increases capability and deepens our cultural understanding. This helps to build effective relationships with our counterparts and allies. 

Defence aims to provide an inclusive working environment that respects, values and utilises the contributions of people with different cultural backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

At least one third of the Defence APS workforce and one quarter of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) have self-identified their cultural and/or linguistic diversity. Each year the Department contributes to the Multicultural Affairs Access and Equity Annual Report. This highlights the work Defence is undertaking to progress inclusion for those from different backgrounds and to share best practice initiatives in a whole of government perspective.

Defence regularly recognises and supports events of significance such as Harmony Day.  

The Defence Religious Advisory Committee (RAC) provides ongoing faith-related advice to Defence, to ensure the pastoral needs of personnel of all beliefs are met. Defence is guided by its own Guide to Religion and Belief which ensures that cultural and belief-related requirements are accommodated in operational procedures and uniform. Defence supports employees to practice their faith subject to the considerations of operational effectiveness, health and safety, and capability priorities.

Defence provides a work environment based on respect and trust, regardless of sexual orientation, gender or gender identity. Defence participates in roundtable discussions with other Government agencies through membership of Pride in Diversity, and as regular attendees at the APS Pride community of practice.

Defence recognises that we live, work and train on the traditional lands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

For over a century, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have provided, and continue to provide, a vital and unique contribution to Defence capability, the defence of Australia and its national interests during times of peace and war.

Defence is strongly committed to the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and reconciliation through its Defence Reconciliation Action Plan.

Defence’s strategies to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander socio economic outcomes and to progress reconciliation include targeted employment pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.