Background
The Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) is the lead agency for the Data and Digital Cadet Program and works, 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, 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 2027, you’ll have already completed 1 year of data or digital studies at an Australian university, with (at least) one year remaining, in order to be eligible for the program.
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.
We are recruiting for data and digital cadets across all Australian states and territories, with the majority of positions primarily located in Canberra.
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 with 15.4% superannuation 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.
* For more information, and to see the list of participating agencies, 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.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for the 2027 Data or Digital Cadet Program, you’ll:
* Be an Australian citizen (at the time of application)
* Have completed at least the 1st year (or equivalent) of an eligible data or digital degree by January 2026.
We are looking for current university students who are studying in a data or digital-related field and accept a wide range of degrees. Here are some of the degrees that we recommend suitable for the Data and Digital Cadet Program:
Data
* Actuarial studies
* Analytics
* Computer Science
* Data science and mining
* Engineering
* Economics
* Econometrics
* Finance
* Geography
* Mathematics (modelling)
* Psychology
* Physics
* Social Science
* Sociology
* Statistics
Digital
For a full list of the suitable digital degrees, check out the APSJOBS Career Pathways website.
Notes
Government departments and agencies will make employment offers to suitable candidates and may undertake specific pre-employment checks:
* Police checks
* Security clearances
* Organisational suitability assessments
Getting to know the Australian Public Service Commission
The Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) is a central agency within the Prime Minister and Cabinet portfolio. The Commission supports two statutory office holders: the Australian Public Service Commissioner—who is also agency head—and the Merit Protection Commissioner. Their functions are set out in sections 41(1) and 50(1), respectively, of the Public Service Act 1999. About the Commission The Australian Public Service Commission is a non-corporate Commonwealth entity within the Prime Minister and Cabinet portfolio. Our Statutory responsibilities are detailed in the Public Service Act 1999. The APSC also provides resources to support the Merit Protection Commissioner. We operate under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013. We employ around 350 staff, and have offices in Canberra and Sydney.