2025 Defence Policy and Corporate Pathway – Graduate Program

Bring your unique skills and experiences to a world of opportunity at Defence. Make your mark in the Policy and Corporate pathway working on:

• program management
• administration
• analysis
• personnel and
• policy.

The Policy and Corporate pathway accepts applications from all degree disciplines. It's suited to graduates interested in:

• arts and humanities
• business and commerce
• construction and building management
• data and cyber security
• environmental science
• information and communication technology
• international and security studies
• media and communication
• policy and international relations
• project management.

Salary 

All successful candidates start the Graduate Program on a salary of $73,343 plus 15.4% superannuation (increasing to $76,277 upon the Fair Work Commission approval of the Defence Enterprise Collective Agreement – 2024).

Graduates advance to a higher salary after successfully completing the Program. The amount depends on which training pathway completed.

Defence's is committed to enabling an enjoyable work-life balance through:

• generous remuneration package
• conditions of service
• flexible work arrangements and
• leave benefits.

Location 

Roles in this pathway are based in Canberra with a limited possibility of an interstate rotation placement during the program.

Duration 

12 months – 3 x 4-month rotations. 

Roles 

Policy and Corporate Pathway applicants need to choose one of these role types in their application:

Analyst:

• Provide commercial management and procurement advice. This role helps facilitate Defence’s investment to develop innovative technologies.
• Advise and influence decision-making and strategy on real-world Defence capability investments.

Corporate:

• Work in communication, finance, marketing and strategic planning.
• Support key decisions that lead to innovative corporate solutions for government.

Policy:

• Produce and apply strategy to influence the policy frameworks that govern Defence operations and international engagement
• Guide industry to deliver capability o Ensure quality outcomes and optimum impact of government investment.

Project and program management:

• Work in project planning, procurement, management and contract administration.
• Deliver nationally significant infrastructure or environmental projects. Defence is one of the Australian Financial Review’s Top 100 Graduate Employers in 2024. Join us and kick-start a future with purpose.

Defence is one of the Australian Financial Review’s Top 100 Graduate Employers in 2024.

Join us and kick-start a future with purpose.