Services Australia 2025 National Graduate Program - Finance & accounting stream

The ideal candidate  

We want graduates who are bold and forward-thinking and who can bring big ideas.

We're looking for a range of people to join us and are committed to providing an inclusive workplace. We value our staff for their unique qualities, ideas and perspectives and support all staff to bring their whole self to work.  

For our finance stream, we're looking for graduates with qualifications in:

• accounting  
• commerce, majoring in accounting or finance 
• economics, majoring in accounting  
• finance, majoring in accounting  

We're also looking for graduates with a degree in any of these subjects and related areas:

• actuarial studies  
• business analysis  
• information systems technology with an interest in finance systems  
• statistics.

If you have any of the above degrees, you can apply to both our finance and accounting stream and our generalist stream. If you’re assessed as suitable for both streams, we’ll try to match you in the finance and accounting stream first. Once you start, you’ll stay in the finance and accounting stream for the duration of the program. 

You can also apply for the finance and accounting stream from the Australian Government Graduate Program on the APS Jobs website. You can preference Services Australia. 

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Division manages Services Australia’s budget of approximately $5 billion and administers payments of around $200 billion on behalf of partner agencies. 

We work with staff and support them to: 

• establish an appropriate financial management framework  
• exercise financial management responsibilities and controls in accordance with legislation  
• contribute to the agency’s delivery of government outcomes.

The CFO Division gives financial advice, contestability, control and assurance to the agency based on the following principles: 

• financial information that is accurate, transparent, consistent, relevant and timely 
• simple, helpful, respectful, quality, contestable and informed financial advice to assist agency decision making 
• standardised, centralised and streamlined financial structures, processes, reporting and services, in order to remove duplication and reduce inefficiencies 
• automation of financial processes where it is efficient and viable to do so. 

Range of work 

In the finance and accounting stream, you may work in a number of areas, including: 

• budgeting and costing
• statutory and asset reporting
• financial governance
• financial systems
• procurement
• financial partnering.

What you'll get

We offer:  

• a competitive salary, ranging between $66,310 - $73,906 depending on your qualification level
• progression to an APS5 classification at successful completion of the program
• a range of development opportunities to shape your career in the Australian Public Service 
• flexible working arrangements to help you maintain your work-life balance
• a variety of leave options, including 4 weeks of annual leave
• employer superannuation contributions of 15.4%
• a variety of leave options, including 4 weeks of annual leave.

Why you should work for us 

We make government services simple so people can get on with their lives.   

Every hour of every day in Australia, people in need turn to the Australian Government for help. In those moments, our agency responds.  

We rise to challenges fuelled by the knowledge that what we do matters. Our work can be challenging but is also rewarding, and suits people who are resilient and embrace innovation and change. We help customers at key moments in their lives. Whether helping customers, supporting strategic policy, leading whole-of-government initiatives, or excelling in various roles, everyone in the agency makes a real difference to Australians.

We're an agency that helps people and we're committed to progress, constantly moving forward to deliver services that are simple, helpful, respectful and transparent.   

Eligibility 

To be eligible for the program, you must be an Australian citizen.

You’ll need to have successfully passed and completed:

• an undergraduate degree within the last 5 years
• a postgraduate degree within the last 5 years.

If you got your degree overseas, you’ll need to have it recognised by the Department of Education.

Inclusivity 

We're committed to providing a work environment that values inclusion and diversity and supports all staff to reach their full potential. We have a range of workplace diversity and inclusion strategies, policies and initiatives in place to achieve this.  

Our program includes an Affirmative Measure to help employ Indigenous Australians. You can apply to our program using this measure, through the Australian Public Service Commission's Indigenous Graduate Pathway.   

We also have an Affirmative Measure for Australians with disability. Our team would be happy to talk with you about any reasonable adjustment you may need.