About

The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) is recruiting graduates to apply their analytical, numeric, and communication skills to develop policies and deliver programs that contribute to Australia’s workforce and skill needs. The program offers formal and on-the-job training, supported by experienced supervisors, and a formal learning and development program.

Requirements

To be suitable for a STEM Graduate role, you should have most or all of the following skills: 

• Proficient communication skills 
• Problem-solving skills 
• A willingness to learn and grow 
• Teamwork and collaboration skills 
• Research and analysis skills
• Adaptability
• Ability to show initiative and judgement

Your degree should be in a STEM related field. The types of backgrounds that may be advantageous for a STEM graduate position include analytics, actuarial studies, business, commerce, computer science, data management, data science or mining, demography, economics, econometrics, engineering, finance, mathematics or mathematical modelling, machine learning, psychology, risk and intelligence analysis, science, social sciences, and statistics and research.

We offer formal and on-the-job training supported by experienced supervisors to develop your skills in quantitative data analysis using industry-standard software including, but not limited to, SAS, R, Python, Power BI, and SQL. Programming experience is not essential but may be beneficial for some graduate placements.

We are looking for highly motivated graduates from a wide range of disciplines and life experiences who want to play a part in shaping Australia’s future and informing the decision-making process. You can apply to the APS STEM Graduate recruitment program and be considered for a variety of exciting roles.

Background or knowledge in any other field with a focus on quantitative analysis problem solving and research would also be an advantage. We are seeking highly motivated graduates with enthusiasm, a good work ethic, and an attitude open to learning and innovation who enjoy working as part of a team. Strong interpersonal and communication skills are also highly valued.

The 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 formal and on-the-job training, supported by experienced supervisors, and a formal learning and development program.

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

Throughout the graduate program, you will undertake formal training to equip you with the foundational skills to work in the Australian Public Service. You will have the opportunity to work with and learn from subject matter experts to advance your data skills. Our Chief Data Officer will arrange specific training opportunities and projects throughout the graduate year.  You will also benefit from the department’s Data Analyst Network, an online forum for data/STEM analysts to share information and skills on a broad range of topics relating data and data analysis. You will have opportunities to attend data conference

What our STEM graduates do

STEM graduates get exposure to and use data from a range of rich data sources within the department’s portfolio.

STEM graduate roles cover the full data lifecycle including survey and questionnaire development, data acquisition, data engineering and data analysis, as well as more specialised disciplines such as data science, economics, financial and budget analysis, methodology, geospatial analysis, machine learning and modelling, and data management.

The work our STEM graduates undertake supports evidence-based decision-making in relation to all aspects of government, including policy development, program management and service delivery.

Some examples of this work include (but are not limited to):

• Data Collection and Management
  • improving the way the department collects, manages, analyses and releases data. This includes designing and conducting surveys to collect first-hand information from program stokeholds, developing administrative data collected through services delivery for further analysis, and establishing data management and sharing policy and protocols to ensure data value is maximised in a safe environment.
• Performance analysis and program evaluation
  • applying advanced analytical techniques to a range of integrated datasets to gain insights into complex policy problems or to evaluate the performance of policies and programs to assess if they achieve designed objectives.
• Compliance and Assurance
  • monitoring program performance and protecting government outlays by using cutting-edge techniques and visualisations to identify non-compliance and fraud.
• Economics
  • developing strategic economic advice through analysing economic and financial data, including economic models and costings to support policy development.

Who can apply?

To be eligible for AGGP STEM Stream, you must submit a completed application prior to the closing date and time. Eligibility criteria 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 degree), equivalent, or higher equivalent by 31 December 2026
• have completed a minimum three-year undergraduate degree in a STEM field within the last five years. 
• 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.

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! 

Secure jobs are vital—driving future economic growth and providing people with certainty. We focus on supporing people in Australia to have safe, secure and well-paid work with the skills for a sustainable future.