The department values diversity and is committed to ensuring an inclusive and accessible workplace. As a department that represents Australia to the world, we want to ensure that we fully reflect Australia's rich diversity across all areas of our workforce.
For more information on the department's diversity and inclusion program, strategies and plans, our Diversity Network and Inclusion Champions, please visit the DFAT Careers page.
About the department
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) serves as Australia's foreign service, leading and coordinating the nation's international agenda by engaging with foreign governments and organisations to advance strategic, security, and economic interests. From Australia and across our overseas posts, we cultivate relationships and networks to provide strategic insights, deliver international development and humanitarian assistance, lead on crisis response and offer consular and passport services.
Working at DFAT is a vocation where every day brings new challenges and opportunities to do meaningful work and represent Australia's interests globally. With a focus on learning and development, backed by our leading-edge Diplomatic Academy, DFAT offers a diverse range of career paths within a supportive environment. Staff have the chance to engage in international deployments while contributing to efforts both at home and abroad.
DFAT fosters a high-performance culture driven by a resilient, motivated, and diverse workforce committed to serving the country. Upholding APS Values, we prioritise achievement, leadership, valuing people, and collaboration. Our strength lies in diversity, which enables us to find common ground as we work with people around the world to solve complex global issues.
DFAT is an inclusive workplace, both in Australia and across the global network, committed to embracing and projecting the diversity of the Australian community, striving to create safe work environments where staff are respected and valued, and everyone has equitable access to opportunities, and dedicated to achieving the objectives outlined in DFAT's Inclusion, Equity and Diversity Strategy 2024-2027.
DFAT offers attractive conditions of service, as outlined in DFAT's 2024 Enterprise Agreement, including a competitive remuneration package with 15.4% employer contribution to your superannuation, 22 days annual leave every 12 months, 20 days of personal / carers leave credited upon commencement, attractive parental leave benefits and flexible working environments.
About the program
No matter your interest, whether it's in foreign affairs, international development, national security, or trade and investment, our graduate program will prepare you for a rich and rewarding career in DFAT.
During the 18-month program, you will complete four placements within the department and will develop first-hand experience across a range of DFAT's work areas. You will be provided with:
* an ongoing position, commencing at an APS 4 classification and advancing to an APS 5 classification upon completion of the program
* a starting salary of $84,115, increasing to $92,753 at completion of the program
* 15.4% superannuation
* targeted training and development at the award-winning Diplomatic Academy
* an inclusive and flexible working environment
* access to employee and professional networks
* generous leave conditions and a relocation package if you need to relocate to Canberra.
All graduate roles are based in Canberra and will commence in early 2027.
Opportunities to apply for overseas service are available to DFAT employees throughout their career, whether they are working in policy or corporate fields.
The graduate program has two streams: Policy and Corporate. When completing your application, you will be asked to select the stream you are applying for.
Policy Stream
In these roles you will work collaboratively with a range of stakeholders to design, manage, and implement key Australian Government policies and programs across the world.
Policy graduates may be placed in various roles, such as:
* Bilateral Economic and Political Relations
* International Trade Negotiations, Investment, and Economic Analysis
* Development and Aid Program Management
* International Security
* International Law
* Public Diplomacy
* Multilateral and Global Issues
* Strategic Communications
The experience policy graduates will gain during the program will place them in a competitive position to apply for overseas transfers in roles such as Second Secretary (policy/trade/development), or mixed duties positions, at the end of the program.
Corporate Stream
Corporate roles offer a wide variety of roles that will build your capabilities and pique your interests in DFAT's Consular, Passports, Corporate and Enabling Services. Through the delivery of exceptional client services and expert advice relating to relevant corporate legislation, policies and procedures, a corporate role will allow you to become a trusted adviser working with departmental employees at all levels, including senior leadership. Your expert advice and support will enable other areas across the business to meet the strategic objectives and deliver on government outcomes. Corporate graduates may be placed in some of the following roles:
* Overseas Property Office
* Accounting and Financial Management
* Human Resources (HR)
* Diplomatic Security
* Corporate Communications
* Corporate Law
* Australian Passport Office
* Consular and Crisis Management
The experience corporate graduates will gain during the program will place them in a competitive position to apply for overseas transfers in roles such as Second Secretary and Vice Consul (Corporate), or mixed duties positions, at the end of the program.
Who we are looking for
We are looking for graduates with a range of experiences and from diverse backgrounds. People who have a genuine interest in working with Australia's international partners to tackle global challenges, increase trade and investment opportunities, protect international rules, keep our region stable and help Australians overseas. Further, we need graduates who will help us manage departmental resources and assets in Australia and overseas.
We welcome applications from all academic backgrounds, including, but not limited to international relations, economics, social sciences, public policy, education, commerce, law, defence, development, health sciences, public policy, history, journalism, communications, linguistics, humanitarian support, cyber security, nuclear science and STEM.
It is important our graduates can work collaboratively with others, manage relationships, have humility, drive and accountability. We also look for respectful people who are curious; adaptable; have resilience and through analytical thinking; and are able to problem-solve.
All employees of the department are expected to abide by the APS Values and Code of Conduct and the DFAT Values Statement.
Eligibility Requirements
You must meet the DFAT general eligibility requirements to apply for the Graduate Program. You also need to:
* be an Australian citizen at the time of application; and
* have completed at least a bachelor's degree between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2026
* In applying under this affirmative measure, you will be required to provide evidence to confirm you are an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Australian. This evidence will be requested by DFAT and its recruiter if you progress to the referee stage of this recruitment process.
Prior to starting the graduate program, successful candidates need to obtain an Australian national security clearance at Negative Vetting Level 2.
How to Apply
How to apply and further information about the department and the graduate program please go to DFAT (APS) careers
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