Join us to shape the future of one of Australia’s greatest natural assets and protect it for future generations.
We are seeking people who want to contribute to a significant water reform program that aims to respond to the impacts of climate change, support community and industry needs, and improve access to water for First Nations people.
The Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) is an independent government agency which, in partnership with Basin governments, manages the Murray–Darling Basin’s water resources in the national interest. With the enactment of the Water Act 2007, the MDBA was established as an independent expertise-based statutory agency.
The MDBA aims to achieve a healthy working Basin for the benefit of all Australians. The Murray–Darling Basin contains a rich diversity of natural environments that are unique in Australia and the world. The Basin is also crucial to Australia’s economy and home to 2.3 million Australians, including people from over 50 First Nations. How we manage the Basin as a whole connected system, manage our water carefully, and protect it for future generations is set out in the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
Who we are looking for?
The MDBA is recruiting for high-achieving students who are keen to gain experience in the integrated management of water resources of the Murray–Darling Basin, in collaboration with state governments, industries and communities.
The University Vacation Employment Program offers paid employment on a casual, intermittent basis for a period of up to 12 months, designed to provide an opportunity for university students to gain work experience in a government setting while completing their studies. Placements will commence from November 2025 full time for up to 6 weeks upon commencement, and intermittent hours during tertiary study for the remainder of the term.
We are particularly interested in students studying:
- engineering
- environmental science/management
- hydrology
- archaeology, cultural heritage, geography
- law, policy, social sciences
- economics, finance, accounting
- mathematics, statistics
- programming, modelling, data analysis
About the placements
The following placements are currently available in the 2026 University Vacation Employment Program:
- Environmental Assets – River Management
- Operations Tool Development – River Management
- Hydrological Analysis – Basin Science and Knowledge
- First Nations Policy – Basin Science and Knowledge (applicants who are First Nations are highly encouraged to apply)
- Basin Plan Model Librarian – Basin Science and Knowledge
- Strategy and Integration – Basin Plan
For more information about each placement refer to the position description.
To be eligible for the Program you must:
- be an Australian citizen
- be completing an undergraduate or postgraduate degree (applications from students in their final years of study are preferred)
- be available to commence between November 2025 – February 2026 (as negotiated)
- be able to attend one of our offices in person
- be available for an initial period of up to 6 weeks fulltime, with the option for intermittent hours around your studies for the duration of the 12-month term
- satisfy all other MDBA engagement requirements, including health and character clearance.
What we offer you:
You will gain valuable on the job experience, the opportunity to develop networking skills and contacts required in a professional environment and the chance to showcase your skills and knowledge in the workplace.
Employment is at the APS 2 classification, with a base salary of $62,439 per annum plus 15.4% superannuation.
For more information, please contact PeopleAndCulture@mdba.gov.au.
University Vacation Employment Program – Position Description – PDF
University Vacation Employment Program – Position Description – DOCX
