2025 MDBA Graduate Development Program (Affirmative Measure-Indigenous employment)

Exciting ongoing, fulltime career opportunities
Generous remuneration and employment conditions
Canberra

Who we are looking for?

The MDBA is recruiting for high-achieving graduates across the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) stream who are passionate about water and interested in becoming part of the MDBA team in our Canberra office.

We are particularly interested in graduates qualified in:

Natural resource management
Engineering
Hydrology
Groundwater
Environmental and ecological sciences
Environmental engineering
Social and economic sciences

At the MDBA, we are committed to diversity and inclusion across our workforce, and in the way that we work. We recognise the importance of making the best use of the unique perspectives, experience, knowledge and skills across our regionalised organisation. We strive to create a workplace where our people flourish in a welcoming and culturally safe environment. We encourage and welcome applications from people with disability, First Nations peoples, LGBTIQ+ people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and mature age people.

To be eligible for the Program you must:

be an Australian citizen or permanent resident actively seeking Australian citizenship and will have been granted Australian citizenship prior to the commencement of the Program in February 2025

at a minimum, have completed by 31 December a recognised Australia undergraduate degree in a critical discipline in the last three years
at a minimum, have achieved a 65% Weighted Average Mark (WAM), and
satisfy all MDBA engagement requirements including character clearances.

Further, this is an Affirmative measure—Indigenous employment position.

Eligible applicants are only persons:

of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent; and
who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander; and
who are accepted by their community as being Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.

To demonstrate eligibility for employment under this affirmative measure, applicants are required to provide evidence that they are an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person.

Suitable evidence of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status may include:

letter signed by the Chairperson of an incorporated Indigenous organisation confirming that the applicant is recognised as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, or
confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent document executed by an Indigenous organisation.

Evidence must stipulate that a person:

is of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent; and
identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person; and
is accepted by their community as being an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.

About the Program

The 11-month Program is designed to provide graduates with the opportunity to develop their knowledge, skills, and understanding of the work of the MDBA and the wider Australian Public Service (APS). Graduates will be exposed to a variety of learning and development activities as well as the opportunity to be involved in networking activities, including whole of government events.

The Program aims to:

develop graduates to effectively contribute to the management and development of policies, programs and research
maintain the level of technical and management potential within the MDBA.

Key aspects of the Program include:

learning and development activities including completion of a Diploma of Government
support through a buddy and mentor program
opportunity to complete a regional placement
ongoing exposure to Senior Executives.

Graduates will participate in 3 rotations over the 11-month Program. Each rotation will be approximately 14 weeks in duration and will comprise of a range of learning and development activities in addition to rotation work. Rotations are a great way for graduates to build their networks and identify the different parts of the MDBA which they are passionate about working in.

The aim of each rotation is to provide graduates with a broad understanding of the different programs, issues and priorities across the MDBA and their strategic contribution to the MDBA’s objectives and goals.

In accordance with the Murray–Darling Basin Authority Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027 graduates will commence at the MDBA Graduate Broadband APS 4 classification and upon successful completion of the Program, graduates will be assessed for advancement to the APS 5 classification.

Tell me more

For all general enquiries please contact:

HorizonOne Recruitment – Campaigns team
mdbagrads@horizonone.com.au

02 5104 4577

Candidate Pack – 2025 MDBA Graduate Development ProgramOpens in new window