Australia nationals: 2024 Graduate Development Program

Who we are

We protect Australia’s natural environment and heritage sites. We help Australia respond to climate change and carefully manage our water and energy resources.

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water was established on 1 July 2022 to deliver on the Australian Government’s climate change and energy agenda and protect Australia’s environment and water resources.

We deliver policies and programs to:

help address climate change and build a more innovative, future ready energy system
protect our unique environment, biodiversity and heritage
manage Australia’s water resources for industry and regional communities
advance Australia’s interests in the Antarctic and Southern Ocean.

We are informed by science. We are innovative and collaborative. We look to the future.

About our program
The Graduate Development Program is a pathway for graduates into our department. The 12-month program is designed to develop your skills, capabilities and knowledge and set you up for a successful career in the Australian Public Service.

As a graduate, you will work on some of the most important issues we are facing in Australia. Whether you are tackling climate change, advancing renewable energy, protecting our environment and national parks or securing Australia’s water resources, your work will be unique and impactful.

Our program is a great opportunity for you to put your qualification, skills and ideas into practice.

You will join a diverse workforce of passionate and experienced professionals who will guide and support your development throughout and beyond the program.

As a graduate, you will undertake:

a tailored learning and development program delivered by the Australian Public Service Academy
three exciting and diverse rotations aligned to your skills and interests
networking activities and events
in-house training and development opportunities.

Upon successful completion of the program, you will have a permanent role that is relevant to your skills, qualifications and interests.

The breadth of our work and responsibilities means we have extensive career pathways in fields including policy development, program management, project management, research, compliance and regulation, operations, service delivery and corporate services.

We also participate in the Australian Government Graduate Program Streams including:

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Stream
Digital Stream
Data Stream
Human Resources Stream
Accounting and Financial Management Stream
Indigenous Graduate Pathway
Legal Stream.

Our 2024 Graduate Development Program will commence in February 2024.

What we offer
We invest in our graduates and will provide the opportunities, tools and support network for you to achieve great things.

Our Graduate Development Program is not too big or small. We ensure graduates can connect easily with one another and forge strong relationships across the graduate cohort. As a valued employee, you will receive tailored support and opportunities. We are committed to the growth of our most important resource – you.

Our program provides a number of benefits to graduates including:

Job Security: You will commence in an entry level position and be employed on an ongoing (permanent) basis.
Career Progression: With over 4000 positions in our department, you will have access to great career progression opportunities. Graduates start as an APS Level 3 and are eligible to progress to an APS Level 5 on successful completion of the program. Refer to the Australian Public Service Commission website for more information on APS levels.
Competitive Remuneration Package: Your starting salary is $71,444 per annum plus 15.4% superannuation. Graduates are eligible for a salary/level advancement during and on successful completion of the program. This takes place following an assessment of work performance, skills and availability of work.
Exposure: Learn from experts through on-the-job training and activities. You will also meet with our senior executive throughout the program.
Support: You will be supported by a dedicated Graduate Team prior to and during the program.
Buddy Program: You will be paired with a buddy from the previous year’s graduate cohort who will support you and share their experiences and insights.
Relocation Assistance: If moving from interstate, you will receive a comprehensive relocation assistance package.
Flexibility: You will have access to a number of flexible work practices and receive excellent work conditions that promote work/life balance.
Employee Diversity Networks: Help contribute to a positive and inclusive workplace culture by joining one or more of our six Employee Diversity Networks.
Community: Participate in Social Club activities and events to connect with colleagues across the department.

We pride ourselves on our positive, supportive and inclusive workplace culture that nurtures talent and encourages employees to achieve their full potential. We welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, mature age people, people from diverse backgrounds, people in the LGBTQIA+ community and people with disability.

Who we are looking for

Our graduates come from a broad range of backgrounds, study areas and work and life experiences. If you are motivated, passionate and want to contribute to our important work, we want to hear from you.

We are looking for talented graduates that will help us deliver on important priorities and foster our positive workplace culture. We encourage you to apply if you:

like to tackle important issues
are open to doing things differently
are flexible and adaptable to new situations
are self-aware and mindful of the impact you have on others
operate with respect, integrity and ethical behaviour
enjoy a challenge and thrive off achieving results.

Eligibility

Qualification: As a minimum, you must have a degree to be eligible for the Graduate Development Program. We accept qualifications in any discipline and there is no timeframe as to when you must have completed your qualification. Your qualifications don’t define your career at our department – we are looking for graduates from almost every discipline.

Citizenship: In accordance with the Public Service Act 1999, you must be an Australian Citizen to be employed by the department.

Pre-employment Check: Your suitability for employment will be assessed through a pre-employment screening process. This process includes a requirement to undergo and satisfy a National Police Check, referee checks, character clearance and where required a pre-employment medical assessment, specified mandatory qualification(s) validation and a probation period of 6 months.

Location

The department is expanding its national footprint and opening new sites in a number of capital cities.

Graduate positions may be offered in Canberra or in other capital cities including Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Darwin, Perth and Hobart.

As part of your application, you will be asked to indicate your preferred locations and whether you are willing to relocate to Canberra or a different location.

Graduates who are required to relocate to commence the program will receive a comprehensive relocation assistance package including: