Human Resources graduates for Defence are recruited directly through the Australian Government Graduate Program – Human Resources Stream. 

Once recruited, graduates who join Defence work within one of the largest and most diverse workforces in the Australian Government. HR professionals at Defence support a broad range of people‑centred services that contribute directly to the growth, wellbeing and readiness of the organisation and its people.

What You’ll Gain:

• Experience across a diverse range of HR discipline areas
• Mentorship from experienced Human Resource practitioners and subject matter experts
• Opportunities to innovate, problem solve, and influence HR initiatives and projects

All while in a supportive pathway designed to grow your career.

Defence Offerings

A workforce like no other

With a combined civilian and military workforce, Defence offers graduate HR professionals exposure to complex employment environments, specialist roles, and diverse workforce needs.

Meaningful people-focused work

HR graduates play an important role in shaping workforce capability, supporting wellbeing, and ensuring Defence remains an employer of choice.

Diverse rotations across HR functions

Graduates experience both strategic and operational HR settings, working alongside experienced HR specialists, psychologists, organisational designers, learning experts, and workplace relations professionals.

Professional development and guidance

Graduates receive structured learning and on-the-job support from subject matter experts across the Defence enterprise.‑the‑job support from subject‑matter experts across the Defence enterprise.

Scope of Opportunities

Graduates can gain experience across a wide range of HR disciplines, including:

• Workforce Planning: Helping forecast workforce needs and shaping long-term capability.‑term capability.
• Learning and Development: Supporting training frameworks and development pathways for Defence personnel.
• Language Services: Supporting the delivery of language and linguistic capability across Defence.
• Workplace Relations: Assisting with employment frameworks, dispute resolution, and enterprise arrangements.
• Payroll and HR Operations: Supporting personnel administration, entitlements, and HR systems.
• Recruitment: Helping design and deliver recruitment campaigns and candidate experiences.
• HR Strategy and Design (Establishment): Contributing to organisational design, workforce structures, and strategic HR planning.
• Talent Management and Strategy: Supporting programs that identify, develop, and retain high potential employees.‑potential employees.
• Work Health and Safety: Supporting WHS initiatives that protect and promote wellbeing across the Defence workforce.
• Rehabilitation and Return-to-Work Support: Helping employees return safely to work following injury or illness.

Examples of Work Graduates May Contribute To

• Supporting workforce analysis for future capability needs
• Assisting with employee relations casework and research
• Contributing to Learning and Development program design and delivery
• Analysing recruitment trends and supporting workforce attraction initiatives
• Helping implement WHS programs, guidance material, or assessments
• Supporting pay-related policy and HR operations
• Assisting with talent reviews and succession-planning activities
• Supporting rehabilitation case management with guidance from specialists 

Where to Learn More About the Recruitment Process

For information on recruitment and application processes, please visit the Australian Government Graduate Program – Human Resources Stream webpage.

Salary

All successful candidates will commence the Graduate Program on a salary of $81,868  plus 15.4% superannuation.

Upon successful completion of the program, including satisfying all training requirements, you will have the opportunity to progress to the base of the APS Level 5 classification, setting you up for a rewarding career in Defence. Defence’s generous remuneration package, flexibility and leave benefits contribute to a happy work/life balance. 

Location

Roles may be offered in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.

Duration

The Defence Graduate Program is a 12-month development opportunity designed to launch your career in the Australian Public Service (APS).