About

The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) we focus on supporting people in Australia to have safe, secure and well-paid work with the skills for a sustainable future.

As a a digital graduate, you will undertake a structured program administered by the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC).

This program provides the opportunity to excel in a digital or technical career after graduating from university. As a recent graduate, you will have an opportunity to further develop your skills while working in an inclusive and welcoming environment.

Our Information and Communication Technology (ICT) teams deliver digital solutions to help achieve the Government’s vision of providing a personalised experience that is stable, secure, reliable, and ultimately anticipates the needs of every user most impacted by our work.

Our department is continually exploring and investing in innovative cloud technologies and is recognised as being at the forefront of technology deployment in the APS. We are constantly improving our desktop applications and facilities to provide a better experience for our ICT staff.

We also recognise this goes beyond using cutting-edge tools to include support for methods and mindsets as we face an increasingly unpredictable future. To meet this challenge, our current focus is on embedding and resourcing DevOps and agile methodologies, and human-centred design into our ways of working.

The department provides a wide range of IT and Digital services to its staff and external customers including other government agencies, job seekers, employers, students, and service providers.

We are looking for people who are passionate about IT services and creating great experiences for the people who use them. We are looking for people who are innovative and creative and have an interest in building technology, IT security, IT infrastructure, design thinking, user centred design, data and analytics, program and project management and digital channel engagement. We want people who like to solve problems and who want to be part of a team that develops solutions.

Requirements

Do you want to:

• improve the lives of millions trying to learn and earn?
• have a direct impact on ambitious multi-million-dollar government programs?
• play a valued part in a once-in-a-generation change in the way the Australian Public Service (APS) does business with technology?
• enjoy solving the most challenging problems in stimulating and flexible environments?
• work in multi-disciplinary teams with skilled APS staff and industry experts?
• build resilient modern services with cloud technologies that can better respond to the changing needs of the Australian community?

To succeed, you should demonstrate a genuine interest in digital technology and a strong desire to enhance digital literacy and proficiency within the government. We are looking for enthusiastic individuals ready to apply their knowledge and skills to help shape Australia's digital future. 

You will have the following skills: 

• Digital or technical – Passion for digital technology and solutions
• Adaptability – Adapt to new technologies, ability to learn quickly and expand your digital knowledge, and apply them
• Communication – Strong written and verbal communication
• Collaboration and teamwork – Effectively work in multidisciplinary teams by openly communicating, actively listening and sharing to build respectful and productive teams
• Problem solving – Approach challenges logically, analyse problems critically and develop solutions
• Enthusiasm – Keen to work on things that make a positive impact and difference

Our Program

The department offers a 10-month graduate program, starting in February each year, and concluding in December of the same year. New and recent graduates with Higher Education (university) qualifications are encouraged to apply. Graduates are engaged at the APS4 classification and on successful completion of the program, advance to the APS5 classfication.

The program offers:

• two placements
• on-the-job experience including the opportunity to work and learn from subject matter experts
• undertake two diverse work placements which provide the opportunity to work on a variety of programs and policies developed and implemented by the department
• a formal learning and development program
• various opportunities to be involved in a wide range of networks, social and fundraising events
• a supportive, inclusive, and flexible working environment.

When you join the program, you also get: 

• relocation assistance (if applicable)
• permanent ongoing employment in the Australian Public Service (APS)
• career progression on successful completion of the program
• excellent employment conditions with competitive remuneration, superannuation, and employee entitlements
• an Employee Assistance Program for wellbeing and career support
• a dedicated Graduate Sponsor passionate about seeing you thrive.

Learning and Development

The Digital Stream will give you a variety of experiences, opportunities, networks and support designed to build your digital or technical expertise and professional skills to prepare you for a diverse career.  You will undertake a comprehensive training program to develop and build on your technical skills. 

What type of work do digital graduates do?

DEWR has busy and important remit of work in its portfolio – we are responsible for critical policies and programs that support getting people into safe and secure work and skilling them to gain or regain employment. We work on many aspects of the government's agenda and our work is delivered increasingly through a project-based model. 

As a  graduate in the digital stream, you will be working in a fast-paced environment where opportunities are exciting and diverse. 

Graduates in this program have the opportunity to excel in a digital or technical career after graduating from university. You can further develop your skills while working in a fast-paced environment where opportunities are exciting and diverse.

While our work is mostly based in Canberra, we also have offices in Melbourne and Sydney, and our teams are practiced at working flexibly to get the job done. To support this transformation, the digital landscape for the department is evolving. Graduates will have the opportunity to work across a range of teams designed to deliver services for the community. These include teams with technical focus, business design focus.

Who can apply?

To be eligible for AGGP Digital Stream, you must submit a completed application prior to the closing date and time. Eligibility criteria may also include the following:

• o be eligible for the Digital Stream you must submit a completed application through the AGGP process prior to the closing date and time. Eligibility may also include the following:

  • evidence of Australian citizenship
  • have completed (or will complete) at least an Australian Qualifications Framework Level 7 qualification (a bachelor’s degree), equivalent, or higher equivalent by 31 December 2025
  • have completed your most recent degree no more than 5 years ago on the date you lodge your application
  • be able to obtain and maintain a valid Australian Government security clearance once accepted onto the program when required. Further information on security clearances is available from Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA)
  • be willing to undergo any police, character, health, or other checks required

Successful applicants will be placed in a merit pool that will be considered by the APS and Commonwealth entities. Please note that agencies and departments and will offer different employment conditions and graduate program features.

If you are successful in the process, you will be placed in a merit pool that will be considered by the APS and Commonwealth entities. You will get the opportunity to nominate DEWR as your preferred department. Please note that agencies and departments and will offer different employment conditions and graduate program features.

How to apply?

We work collaboratively with other APS agencies to recruit talented individuals through other specialty graduate and entry level programs. These speciality graduate programs are co-ordinated centrally by Australian Government Graduate Program (AGGP).

Visit the APS Jobs Career Pathways website to find out more or apply. Make sure you nominate the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations as your preferred agency for your chance to join us!