How to apply for our graduate program

Register your interest and receive updates for our 2026 Graduate Program

Register online

Eligibility

You are eligible to apply for our Graduate Program if you:

• are an Australian citizen
• have completed a bachelor’s degree or higher in the last 5 years
• are willing to relocate to Canberra (subject to COVID-19 public health and travel advice at the time you start)
• can obtain and maintain a baseline security clearance or hold a current security clearance at the appropriate level (we will help you with this).

Overview of the application process

Our recruitment assessment process is designed to give you a streamlined experience. There are various opportunities for us to get to know you throughout these following stages of:

• an online application
• an online personality and cognitive assessment
• a video interview
• a virtual assessment centre (group activity and behavioural interview)
• reference checks.

After each stage we advise if you were successful or not.

We also facilitate the below internal streams.

Communications Stream

We are looking for dynamic and motivated people to apply for the communication stream. As a communications stream graduate, you will be part of supporting our priorities by providing effective, responsive, consistent communication advice and support services to improve the health of all Australians. You will have the opportunity to undertake rotations across three communication branches which deliver:

• behaviour change campaigns
• below the line strategies
• market research
• strategies for diverse audiences
• media engagement
• writing services for executive and Ministerial offices
• events
• consumer and stakeholder engagement
• graphic design and production
• key communication channels across the health.gov.au site, social media accounts and internal corporate channels.  To be eligible for the communication stream you either need to have completed, or be willing to complete, a communication or similar degree.

Legal Steam

We are looking for enthusiastic, motivated people to apply for the legal stream. As a legal stream graduate, you will be part of the 18-month Government Lawyer Development Program. As a legal stream graduate, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the delivery of high-quality, client-focused legal services on complex legislative, program, and policy issues affecting the Health and Aged Care portfolio.

To assist you complete your Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice you will have access to: 

• specialised legal training
• mentoring from senior lawyers
• financial and study leave support.

Our legal branches are responsible for delivering a wide range of high quality, client focused legal services on a broad range of complex legislative, program and policy issues affecting the Health and Aged Care portfolio. Our legal branches assist us manage legal risk, find solutions to complex problems and deliver on strategic and corporate priorities.

To be eligible for the legal stream you either need to have completed or be willing to complete:

• a Bachelor of Laws from an Australian university by the commencement of the graduate program
• your Practical Legal Training and be admitted as a lawyer (which we will support you to do).

Science Stream Pilot

In 2026, we are piloting a dedicated Science Stream as part of our Graduate Program. We are seeking enthusiastic and motivated applicants for our science stream intake. Successful applicants will undertake 2 x 5-month rotations at the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). The TGA is part of the Health Products Regulation Group which also comprises of the:

• Office of the Gene Technology Regulator
• Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme
• Office of Drug Control.

As a graduate with a science focus, you will support  our priorities of ensuring Australians have confidence in the safety, quality, and effectiveness of the therapeutic goods they access.

Our science-focussed branches deliver a wide range of services, including:

• technical - including scientific evaluation and laboratory testing
• general scientific - including clinical trials audits and risk management plan evaluation, adverse events evaluation and managing medicine and medical device shortages
• policy and reform - including developing and implementing new therapeutic goods policy and communicating with our stakeholders.

APS specialty graduate programs

We work collaboratively with other agencies to recruit talented individuals through other specialty graduate programs.

Indigenous Graduate Pathway

As well as managing our own affirmative measures for Indigenous Australians, we also participate in the Indigenous Graduate Pathway. As an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander you can complete one application and be considered for multiple agencies and departments within the Australian Public Service (APS).

Whether you start your career with us, or somewhere else in the APS, you will do meaningful work from day one.

Find out more about the Indigenous Graduate Pathway, including how to apply.

Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) Graduate Program

The DTA’s Digital Graduate Program provides an opportunity to excel in a digital or technical career after you have graduated from university. As a graduate, you will have an opportunity to further develop your skills while working for the Australian Government.

Find out more about the DTA Graduate Program, including how to apply.

Data Graduate Program

If you enjoy working with data the Australian Government Graduate Program (AGGP) Data Stream is for you. As a data graduate you may work in:

• data analysis
• research
• data acquisition
• data engineering
• more specialised roles in data science, methodology or geospatial analysis.

Data graduate roles support evidence-based, informed decision making, working across all aspects of government such as policy development, program management and service delivery.

A range of undergraduate and post graduate degrees are considered including data analytics/science, economics, econometrics, actuarial studies, maths, social science, psychology, statistics, finance, business, policy and arts.

Find out more about the Data Graduate Program, including how to apply.

APS HR Graduate Development Program

If you have HR qualifications and are pursuing a HR career with the APS, this is the stream for you. As a HR professional in the APS, you will help to manage our most valuable asset – our people – and play a crucial role in shaping the future of the APS.

Find out more about the APS HR Graduate Program, including how to apply.