Local recruitment: 2026 MDBA Graduate Development Program Generalist / Technical

Murray-Darling Basin Authority

Canberra ACT, Australia 🇦🇺

About the Graduate Development Program
The 23-month Graduate Development Program (the 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. 

Over the 23-month program, graduates will undertake up to four rotations, each lasting a minimum of 20 weeks. These rotations provide valuable opportunities to build networks, explore different areas of the MDBA, and engage in a variety of learning and development activities alongside practical work. The aim is to give graduates a comprehensive understanding of key programs, priorities, and strategic contributions to the MDBA’s objectives. 

Graduates will commence at the MDBA Graduate Broadband APS 4 classification and upon successful completion of Year 1 of the Program, graduates will be assessed for advancement to the APS 5 classification for the remainder of the Graduate Program.

Who we are looking for?
The MDBA is recruiting for high-achieving graduates for its new Technical and Generalist Graduate Program.  For the Technical Stream we are particularly interested in graduates qualified in:

  • Engineering/ Environmental Engineering
  • Mathematics
  • Hydrology/Hydrogeology/Groundwater
  • Environmental and Ecological Sciences
  • Natural Resource Management

For the Generalist Stream we are particularly interested in graduates qualified in:

  • Policy
  • Economics
  • Social Sciences
  • Environmental Policy
  • Other related disciplines within the social, economic, or environmental sciences

To be eligible for the Program, graduates will:

  • at a minimum, have completed a three-year undergraduate degree in a critical discipline (if the degree was obtained overseas, the qualification must be recognised by the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition)
  • be Australian citizens or permanent residents actively seeking Australian citizenship and will have been granted citizenship by the commencement of the Program
  • have achieved at least 65% average for completed units
  • satisfy all other MDBA engagement requirements, including health and character clearance.


Tell me more
For all general enquiries please contact:
HorizonOne Recruitment – Campaigns team
mdbagrads@horizonone.com.au
02 5104 4577

Graduate Candidate Pack

Graduate Candidate Pack

How to apply:

11 days remaining

Apply by 22 June, 2025

POSITION TYPE

ORGANIZATION TYPE

EXPERIENCE-LEVEL

DEGREE REQUIRED

IHE Delft - MSc in Water and Sustainable Development