2025 Treasury Graduate Development Program - Indigenous Affirmative Measure

We are seeking collaborative and highly motivated Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people to make a direct impact in the way government develops and implements policies for Australia, as well as those relating to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities. We are committed to making graduate positions accessible to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders through this Indigenous Employment Affirmative Measure process. While merit remains the basis for selection, engagement and promotion, this process is only open to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. 

Treasury's Graduate Development Program gives you a rewarding career, opportunity to work in several areas of the agency on policies and programs that impact the Australian economic landscape, helping to shape the future and make a difference to all Australians.

Who should apply

Our program is open to all university students who have graduated in the last 5 years from a range of disciplines including law, economics/econometrics, public policy, political science, data and statistics, mathematics, business and commerce, finance and more.

As well as academic qualifications, our graduates need to have highly developed written and oral communication skills, strong analytical and people capabilities, and demonstrate initiative, integrity, honesty, fairness and respect.

Program overview

Our graduate program runs over 2 years with most graduates based in our Canberra office. Graduates may also be placed in our Sydney and Melbourne offices.  

Eligibility

To apply for our 2025 Graduate Development Program you must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• be an Australian citizen (or become an Australian citizen by December 2024)
• education requirements:
  • complete or will complete, an Australian-recognised undergraduate qualification
    (bachelor degree or higher by 31 December 2024)
  • hold a bachelor degree at a minimum, most recent eligible qualification must be no more than 5 years old,
    (for example, you have or will complete between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2024) performed well over the course of your studies to ensure that you are competitive in the selection process
• be willing to:
  • move to Canberra for the program duration or travel to Canberra for learning and development activities if placed in our Sydney or Melbourne offices.
  • obtain and maintain a valid Australian Government security clearance on acceptance into the program
  • undergo any police, character, health or other required checks.

Graduate Work rotations

You will complete 8-month rotations in 3 different work areas to ensure that you develop your skills, knowledge and confidence.  These work placements are determined based on your skills, academic qualifications and Treasury's portfolio responsibilities.  You will also nominate work areas of interest for your second and final rotations.

What you’ll do

As a Treasury graduate you will work on policies that impact the department and the Australian economic landscape. You will also get to work with and learn from experts.  For more information visit Treasury’s Graduate Development Program.

Learning and development

Bespoke opportunities

During the program, you will have access to bespoke face-to-face learning and development opportunities including university-facilitated development workshops with a mix of academic professionals and Treasury subject matter experts.

You will have a pathway that enables career progression as your capability develops.

Skills development

Our learning and development will help you develop the skills, knowledge and understanding required to succeed in your career at Treasury and the wider Australian Public Service.

Our learning and development is designed using adult learning principles of work-based, relationship-based and formal learning.

You will be connected with a graduate buddy who’s completed the program and have access to unique and rewarding networking experiences and events. visit Treasury’s Graduate Development Program.

Salary and work arrangements

• a competitive starting salary of $73,275 per annum plus 15.4 per cent superannuation (total remuneration package $84,559 per annum) - Treasury APS 3.2 level
• opportunity for performance-based salary increases during the program
• flexible working arrangements and work from home options in agreement with your manager and team requirements. 

Leave and allowances

• 20 days annual leave and additional office closure between Christmas and New Year
• relocation assistance for eligible graduates – including 4 weeks of short-term temporary accommodation (if required)
• an Annual Lifestyle Contribution allowance of $600 to help maintain a healthy lifestyle – you can use the contribution for gym memberships or to purchase sporting equipment and apparel.

Workplace benefits

• an inclusive and diverse workplace which celebrates and recognises all staff’s backgrounds, beliefs and experiences
• on-site childcare centre and carer rooms for mothers – we are proudly accredited through the Australian Breastfeeding Association as a Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace
• dedicated quiet rooms for reflection, prayer and meditation.

Why work at Treasury

Treasury is the Australian Government’s lead economic adviser. We provide advice to the Australian Government and implement policies and programs to achieve strong and sustainable economic and fiscal outcomes for Australians. As a central policy agency, our role is to anticipate and analyse policy issues with a whole of economy perspective, understand government and stakeholder circumstances, and respond rapidly to changing events and directions.

Our First Nations Policy Unit that is responsible for the agency’s contribution to the government's implementation of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, advising and reporting on Budget measures that relate to First Nations Australians and supporting the work of the Treasury Reconciliation Action Plan Committee. The unit also promotes increased representation of First Nations perspectives in economic policy development. 

Our employees come from all walks of life, and all corners of the Australian community and value our staff’s different perspectives, experiences, backgrounds and skills enable us to better achieve our department’s goals. We strongly believe that diversity in our teams further enhances our creativity, innovation and improves problem solving. We’re committed to growing and maintaining a safe, inclusive and welcoming work environment for all staff, irrespective of gender, ethnicity, linguistic background, age, sexuality, or disability.

By joining us, you will have the opportunity to build Treasury's knowledge, understanding and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and ensure our work continues to represent the Australian population we serve. Indigenous employment initiatives are part of our broader workplace inclusion and diversity program that is driven by our commitment to value, respect and embrace diversity.

We aim to embed a deeper understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritages and cultures in economic policy making as outlined in our Corporate publications, including our:

• Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2021-2023 and
• Indigenous Employment Strategy 2018-2023.

The application process and timeline 

Stage 1 – Online application:

• resume and recent academic transcripts
• details of two referees
• short written response to application question.

 29 January 2024 – 15 April 2024

Stage 2 – Online assessment, virtual interview and reference checking

 April - early May 2024

Stage 3 – Merit Pool

 Mid-late May 2024

Stage 4 – Employment Offer

 31 May 2024 onwards 

Additional Information  -  Overseas Qualifications

If your qualifying degree is from an overseas university, you will need to provide a statement verifying the recognition of your qualifications from an Australian state or territory government overseas qualifications unit. We are unable to consider your application without this supporting documentation.  

Government Security clearance

If offered a role, you will need to obtain a valid Australian Government security clearance prior to your commencement. For more information visit the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA).

Confirmation of Heritage

If you are successful in this recruitment process you will be asked to provide Confirmation of Heritage, a document that is provided by an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community organisation ‘confirming’ or ‘endorsing’ that a person is Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. We understand that acquiring this can be difficult, and we are committed to ensuring that this does not become a barrier for candidates so please get in touch with us at [email protected] if you have any questions, we're here to support you.

You can confirm your Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage through a number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and bodies, which commonly include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land councils
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical service.

Evidence types
Types of evidence that we consider include:

• a letter signed by the Chairperson of an incorporated Indigenous organisation confirming that you are recognised as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, or
• a confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent form executed by an Indigenous organisation.

Submit without evidence
If you do not have the required evidence prior to applications closing, you can still apply, simply attach a letter or email which outlines the steps you are taking to source your documentation. You will have to provide documented evidence prior to an offer.

If you're having trouble getting a confirmation, there are resources to assist you:

• Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
• Link-Up
• Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations
• National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation

If you have any questions in relation to this, please contact our team at [email protected]

RecruitAbility

If you identify as a person with a disability, you can ‘opt into’ RecruitAbility on the application form. The RecruitAbility scheme allows applicants who opt in and meet the minimum requirements of the role to advance to a further stage in the selection process. Merit remains the basis for engagement and promotion.  For further information visit the Australian Public Service Commission.

Contact Information

For further information, please contact the Entry Levels Program Team via telephone (02) 6263 2222 (Option 3) or email [email protected].