Graduate Development Program (GDP)
Our GDP
Get your career off to a healthy start with the Department of Health and Ageing’s (the department) GDP.
The department's 12-month development program offers three workplace rotations in a dynamic work environment and a diverse and challenging career path. You do not need to have a specialist health degree to join the department; we encourage people from most tertiary academic backgrounds to apply!
- Who we are
- Our Graduate Development Program (GDP)
- Life after the GDP
- Workplace diversity and equity in employment
- Further information
Who we are
The department is a dynamic Australian Government Department that seeks to promote, develop, and fund health and aged care services for the Australian public. You will work on policies that make a difference to people’s quality of life, to communities and to the country.The department has a diverse set of responsibilities, and throughout there is a common purpose, which is reflected in our vision statement:
"Better health and active ageing for all Australians"
We lead the development of Australia’s health and aged care system by providing expert policy advice, analysis, program advice and other services to our Ministers, federal and state government agencies, and external stakeholders and clients. From mental health awareness to obesity and nutrition, infectious disease control, pharmaceuticals, aged care and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, we develop policies and implement large programs that have a direct impact on the Australian community. Including currently “Swap It, Don’t Stop It” and many other health campaigns.Top of page
Our Graduate Development Program (GDP)
The GDP is a 12-month full-time program. You will undertake three diverse rotations and may have the opportunity to undertake a rotation in a health portfolio minister’s office (assessed through an additional selection process). The GDP commences in late January each year. The majority of jobs will be located in our Central Office, in Woden, Canberra. Less than 5% of graduate positions are available in our state and territory offices.As a graduate with the department, you may contribute to the development and implementation of health programs; manage funding agreements to maintain the running of health programs; conduct research and analysis; or prepare documents which will be used to develop health policy. You will play a meaningful role in serving the Australian public and work on issues that touch the lives of every-day Australians.
Streams
The department’s GDP is divided into four streams—you may indicate two streams of preference on the application form from the following:- Generalist stream
- Health Science stream
- Information Technology and Communication stream
- Legal stream, and/or
- Streams—further information.
Generalist stream
The department’s generalist stream is tailored for graduates of almost all disciplines. Skills that you have acquired throughout your degree such as reading, writing and research skills will be utilised across the department. Areas in which you may work include the following:- program and project management
- corporate services
- financial services
- policy research
- policy development.
Health science stream
The department has a stream tailored to applications with a health science background. Graduates with this background will have the opportunity to work in areas that require specific knowledge gained from your degree. You may have the option to complete a rotation at the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) which is responsible for the effective regulation of therapeutic products including prescription, over-the-counter and complementary medicines, medical devices, biological, blood and blood products. You will rotate through areas of the department which require specialist knowledge in areas such as the following:- pharmacy
- biomedical science
- biology and other science related disciplines.
Information and communication technology (ICT) stream
The department has a stream tailored to applicants with an ICT background. The department has a diverse and extensive ICT environment, spanning mainframe, mid-range, PC and mobile technologies. As an ICT graduate you will have the opportunity to be involved in a range of projects supporting the department to deliver on policies for better health and active ageing for all Australians, for example, eHealth and Aged Care reform. You will have the opportunity to work in areas covering the entire cycle of delivering quality solutions including the following:- governance
- solutions design
- business analysis
- project management
- applications development and
- support, testing and infrastructure management.
Legal stream
The department has a stream tailored to applicants with a legal background. Throughout your graduate year you will be using your specific skill set acquired during your degree to provide legal-related support across divisions. You may provide legal advice and interpretation, draft contracts, funding agreements and other instruments, assist with the drafting of legislation, assist the representation of the department in litigation, assist with legal awareness training and assist with Freedom of Information requests.Top of pageStreams—further information
Please note: If you are placed in a Health Science, ICT or Legal stream you may undertake at least one generalist rotation.All of our graduates (regardless of your stream preference) will undertake a variety of interesting work which may include:
- Supporting program management and policy development
- Analysing and evaluating policy
- Applying legislation
- Supporting project and contract management
- Conducting research and analysis for reports
- Preparing briefing material for conferences and ministerial visits
- Working on briefings, speeches, reports, letters, ministerials and minutes
- Liaising with state and territory offices
- Working with other graduates to organise events and networking opportunities
- Corporate support (e.g., human resources, information technology, financial management and legal services).
Life after the GDP
After successful completion of the GDP, you will have a permanent role within the department and will advance from a Graduate APS (during the GDP) to an APS 4, which means a pay rise to launch your new career. Our graduates are competitively placed at the end of the GDP in order to set you on your career path within the APS.Workplace diversity and equity in employment
The department upholds the principles and practices of workplace diversity and equity in employment. As a result, employees enjoy a workplace full of people from different backgrounds and experiences.Our Equity in Employment strategies address the removal of employment-related bias that may be experienced by groups of people including:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people;
- people with disability;
- people from Culturally and Linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds; and
- people who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and/or intersex.
