Background The Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) is the lead agency for the Data and Digital Cadet Program, in partnership with the APS Data Profession, APS Digital Profession and APSC Career Pathways to recruit, support and develop data and digital cadets. The Data and Digital Cadet Program is an Australian Government initiative designed to offer supported study to work pathways for data and digital cadets looking to kick start a career, whist still at university. It is a fresh approach to providing the public service with a pipeline of university educated, skilled and capable data and digital talent. The program aims to grow emerging data and digital professionals by providing practical experience and on the job learning to supplement university studies. Data and digital cadets play a key role in assisting the Australian Public Service (APS) address the critical data and digital skills shortage, build essential data and digital capability and boost employment opportunities in these streams. About the program The Data and Digital Cadet Program is for Australian citizens who are currently studying an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in a data or digital related field. By January 2026, you'll have already completed 1 year of data or digital studies at an Australian university, with (at least) one year remaining. As Australian Government employees, data and digital cadets receive support to complete their studies and explore different data or digital careers. Make use of your degree and interests while gaining valuable industry experience, solving problems and making a difference to the Australian community. The Data and Digital Cadet Program offers you the flexibility to balance study and work by allocating specific days for your work responsibilities and other days for study commitments. While on the Data and Digital Cadet Program, you'll further develop your skills and expertise, get hands on experience and undertake specialised learning to guide your desired career pathway in government. Career coaching and networks provide the opportunity to mix with specialists who will guide you academically and professionally. Working at an APS Academy Campus The advertised data and digital cadet positions are based at our APS Academy Campuses located in Townsville at James Cook University and in Newcastle at the University of Newcastle. The APS Academy Campus initiative is the result of a joint partnership between the APS and select regional universities to establish a pipeline of data and digital talent from regional Australia into the APS to address critical skill shortages in the APS and to enable those in regional Australia to have access to a data and digital career in the APS without having to leave their local communities. The Academy Campuses are dedicated workspaces located at James Cook University and the University of Newcastle. They provide a place for data and digital cadets to work from while being employed by and working remotely with an APS agency. Students at these two universities are encouraged to apply. Benefits of working at an Academy Campus: • You'll be part of a warm and friendly crew some of whom may be studying similar subjects to yourself • You'll have opportunity to participate in activities to increase your knowledge of the APS • You'll have the support of an on-site APS Campus supervisor to assist with any integration between yourself, your agency and the university (for example, to help arrange work integrated learning) • For students of James Cook University and the University of Newcastle, your place of work will be conveniently located at your university. Placement of data and digital cadets at Townsville and Newcastle Academy Campuses may occur in 2025 or 2026 (and within 18 months following the date of advertising this vacancy). Successful applicants will be considered for placement with participating government departments and agencies, and will be matched according to studies, skills, experience and career aspirations. Benefits The Data and Digital Cadet Program offers you: Meaningful work where you can make a positive impact in people's lives and shape Australia's future Pathway into a diverse career in government Permanent part-time employment while studying and full-time employment when you've completed your degree Competitive starting salary and excellent employment conditions Flexibility to complete the program over 1 to 3 years (depending on when you finish university) Academic allowance for successfully completed units ($800 per unit up to 4 units per semester, capped at 8 units per calendar year) Membership to peak industry bodies the Australian Computer Society (ACS) or Data Management Association (DAMA). For more information, check out the APSJOBS Career Pathways website. The key duties of the position include Government organisations have a variety of data and digital roles that help support their core function and business. Data and digital cadets can work in some of these exciting areas: AI/Machine learning Content design Cloud computing Cyber security Data analytics Data engineering Data architecture Data science Delivery management Interaction design Product management Software engineering Service design Statistics User research Web development.