You may have travelled on your gap year where you learnt valuable skills such as resilience or independence, or perhaps working in your family’s business taught you how to collaborate and take initiative—only you can bring your unique combination of tertiary education and life experience to the Defence Graduate Program.
The Defence Graduate Program offers opportunities across a range of career streams with four pathways tailored to provide unique learning experiences and career development.
In one of our four pathways—Technical, Intelligence, Research and Innovation, Policy and Corporate, you’ll begin your Defence career with confidence, working with a diverse group of people dedicated to protecting Australian interests.
As a graduate, you’ll have a chance to support Australia’s security and humanitarian efforts.
Defence is the winner of the Graduate Employer award for Government & Public Safety by Prosple.
Join one of the Top 100 Graduate employers and kick-start a future with purpose.
Defence is committed to developing a workforce that represents the diversity in Australian culture. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Australians and people with disability.
Candidates must be Australian citizens to be eligible for employment for the Defence Graduate Program and STEM Cadetship.
27 February 2023 – Applications Open
12 April 2023 – Applications Close
End of May 2023 – Virtual Assessment Centres commence
First Week of August 2023 – Virtual Assessment Centre conclude
Early September 2023 – Offers and outcomes announced, Intelligence Pathway applicants may be required to complete further suitability assessments which may result in a slight delay offers and outcomes.
February 2024 – Commence Graduate Program
June 2024 – Intelligence Pathway Commences Graduate Program
Stage 1: Pre-Application
Before clicking the Apply Now button to complete the initial application form, you’ll need to ensure you are eligible by visiting the Graduate Program Eligibility webpage.
Stage 2: Application Form
Once you have checked your eligibility and prepared the necessary documentation, click the Apply Now button. This will take you to the Defence Careers Landing Page, where you can follow the prompts to complete the Defence Graduate Program Application Form.
Stage 3: Online Assessments
If you satisfy the necessary eligibility requirements, you will be invited to complete two online assessments that should take around 20-30 minutes in total.
The online assessments help the Defence Graduate Recruitment Team match potential graduates with pathways.
Stage 4: Virtual Assessment Centre
Based on the eligibility requirements and outcome of online assessments, you may be invited to participate in a Virtual Assessment Centre. Those who may not be suited to the Defence Graduate Program will not progress any further in the selection process.
Stage 5: Outcomes and Offers
All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their Virtual Assessment by early September.
The Intelligence Pathway has additional suitability assessments and may have a longer period of time before applicants are notified.
Defence is part of the Australian Public Service. As a public servant, you’ll work in an environment where work-life balance is important, salaries are competitive, and your career options are endless. All of this, plus generous personal leave entitlements and a superannuation scheme contributes to the overall package.
Defence graduates start on an Australian Public Service (APS) or Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) salary of $71,207 per annum plus 15.4% superannuation. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will receive $77,739 per annum plus 15.4% superannuation.
As a Defence graduate, you are employed under the Defence Enterprise Agreement, which provides a range of generous benefits and entitlements. ASD employees are employed under ASD's Employment Agreement.
As a Defence Graduate, employment conditions and entitlements include:
We Cover Your Relocation Expenses
The transition from study to career can be a challenging one. For many, it may also be the first time you have lived away from home, with most Defence graduates moving interstate. We work hard to make the whole process as easy as possible for you, and we offer a generous package, including covering your removal and relocation expenses. We also provide you with 20 days of temporary accommodation in serviced apartments to allow you time to find a home at your new location.