Updating Results

Department of Health and Aged Care

4.2
  • 1,000 - 50,000 employees

Department of Health and Aged Care Graduate Programs & Internships

  • Government & Public Service

The Australian Department of Health and Aged Care works to deliver affordable, quality health and aged care system and better health, ageing and sports outcomes for all Australians.

Our vision is better health and well-being for all Australians, now and for future generations. 

We aim to achieve our vision through evidence-based policy, well-targeted programs and best practice regulation.

Our strategic priorities include:

  • better health and ageing outcomes for all Australians
  • an affordable, quality health and aged care system
  • better sports outcomes.

As an employer, we are committed to creating a flexible and adaptable workforce building the capability of our staff, improving our culture and leadership, and investing in career opportunities.

As a graduate in Health, you will contribute ideas and learn new skills in an environment that draws upon diversity and fosters innovation and high performance. Your work will affect the lives of real Australians.

You don’t have to be a health professional to apply for the Department of Health and Aged Care's Graduate Program. Our diverse workforce and generalist Graduate Program calls for university graduates from any and all degree disciplines. Whatever your degree there are opportunities to apply your interests in Health right across the APS. We will invest in your development, take your degree and build a career with you encompassing new experiences, education and skills.

Recruitment Process

Applicants must be Australian Citizens to apply.

Applications open at 8:00 AM (AEST) on Monday 4 March and closed at 11:30 PM (AEST) Sunday 14 April.

As part of your application, you will need to:

  • completed a Bachelor's degree or higher in the last 5 years (completed or recognised in Australia)
  • provide current academic transcripts
  • provide a current CV

Successful applicants can opt into our midyear intake in September 2024 or commence in February 2025.

The Department of Health and Aged Care also facilitate the following Internal streams:

  • Generalist Program
  • Legal Stream - We are looking for enthusiastic, motivated people to apply for the legal stream. As a legal stream graduate, you will be part of the LAD’s two-year Government Lawyer Development Program. Over the two years, you will have the opportunity to undertake extended rotations across core legal practice areas to ensure you develop strong foundational skills as a government lawyer. You will have access to specialised legal training, mentoring from senior lawyers, and financial and study leave support to assist you to complete your Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice.  
    To be eligible for the legal stream you either need to have completed, or be willing to complete, your Practical Legal Training and be admitted as a lawyer (which the Department will support you to do).
  • Communications Steam - We are looking for dynamic and motivated people to apply for the communication stream. As a communications stream graduate, you will be part of supporting the government’s priorities by providing effective, responsive, consistent communication advice and support services to improve the health of all Australians.  You will have the opportunity to undertake rotations across three communication branches which deliver behaviour change campaigns, below-the-line strategies, market research, strategies for diverse audiences, media engagement, writing services for executive and Ministerial offices, events, consumer and stakeholder engagement, graphic design and production and the department's key communication channels across the health.gov.au site, social media accounts and internal corporate channels. 
    To be eligible for the communication stream you either need to have completed, or be willing to complete, a communication or similar degree.
  • Science Stream - In 2025, the Department of Health and Aged Care is piloting a dedicated Science Stream as part of our Graduate Program. We are seeking enthusiastic and motivated applicants for our science stream intake. Successful applicants will undertake 2 x 5-month rotations at the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). The TGA is part of the Health Products Regulation Group which also comprises the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator, the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme, and the Office of Drug Control. As a graduate with a science focus, you will support the government’s priorities of ensuring Australians can have confidence in the safety, quality, and effectiveness of the therapeutic goods they access.

Remuneration & Career Growth

Networks and groups 

At Health and Aged Care, we have a range of networks and communities that contribute to our workplace and culture. Open to all employees, our networks offer a place to have fun, enjoy our work and get to know our colleagues.

Networks work together to: 

  • offer a supportive community that you can be part of 
  • connect staff across the department
  • organise events and fundraising activities
  • advocate for members’ views and interests 
  • contribute to initiatives and policies that improve workplace culture and inclusion  
  • organise network-led celebrations for days of significance.

Flexible working arrangements

Flexible working arrangements can help you balance work, personal commitments and retirement planning while continuing to meet departmental needs. 

Health and Aged Care’s Enterprise Agreement 2019-2022 and related employment policies and guidelines provide for consideration of flexible working arrangements. 

Graduate Reviews

Overall Score
4.2
Overall score based on 18 reviews
They Score Best in…
8.3
Career Prospects
8.3
Satisfaction
8.3
Salary
8.8
Work Hours
8.3
Career Prospects
8.3
Satisfaction
8.3
Salary
8.8
Work Hours
What Graduates Say About Them
  • My colleagues and supervisors are kind and respectful, the job is stable and I support the work that is happening in the mental health space. I also like having flexible hours and being able to work from home.
  • Feeling like I'm making a difference to real people.
  • Overall great workplace culture, stimulating and dynamic role, and encouragement to move around the agency and experience different work areas.
  • The structure of the organisation and hierarchy can be limiting at times.
  • Can take a long time do get things done due to the corporate processes.
  • Burnout due to pandemic-focused work.

Jobs & Opportunities

Locations With Jobs & Opportunities
  • Canberra
Hiring candidates with qualifications in
B
Business & Management
C
Creative Arts
E
Engineering & Mathematics
H
Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences
I
IT & Computer Science
L
Law, Legal Studies & Justice
M
Medical & Health Sciences
P
Property & Built Environment
S
Sciences
T
Teaching & Education
Current Jobs & Opportunities

Graduate Job

Canberra
Join us at the Department of Health and Aged Care and be rewarded with a career pathway leading the way in innovation and health for all Australians.
Applications Close
14 Apr 2024
Start Date
3 Feb 2025
Salary
AUD 78,954 - 83,424 / Year

Plus 15.4% superannuation

Graduate Job

Canberra
Join us at the Department of Health and Aged Care and be rewarded with a career pathway leading the way in innovation and health for all Australians.
Applications Close
14 Apr 2024
Start Date
3 Feb 2025
Salary
AUD 78,954 / Year

Plus 15.4% superannuation.


Graduate Success Stories


  • Graduate stories
The coolest part of my job is knowing that our work influences decisions that positively impact millions of Australians, ensuring they receive necessary vaccinations and treatments.

Ben Narbey

  • Graduate stories
The coolest part of my job is knowing that our work influences decisions that positively impact millions of Australians, ensuring they receive necessary vaccinations and treatments.

Ben Narbey

  • Graduate stories
Joe studied a bachelor of Business (Sport Management) at Deakin University in 2021 and is now an indigenous Graduate at the Department of Health.

Joe

  • Graduate stories
Joe studied a bachelor of Business (Sport Management) at Deakin University in 2021 and is now an indigenous Graduate at the Department of Health.

Joe

  • Graduate stories
The coolest part of my job is knowing that our work influences decisions that positively impact millions of Australians, ensuring they receive necessary vaccinations and treatments.

Ben Narbey

  • Graduate stories
The coolest part of my job is knowing that our work influences decisions that positively impact millions of Australians, ensuring they receive necessary vaccinations and treatments.

Ben Narbey

  • Graduate stories
Joe studied a bachelor of Business (Sport Management) at Deakin University in 2021 and is now an indigenous Graduate at the Department of Health.

Joe

  • Graduate stories
Joe studied a bachelor of Business (Sport Management) at Deakin University in 2021 and is now an indigenous Graduate at the Department of Health.

Joe


A Day In The Life Of


  • Day in the life

Kitty Malam

After a day of Ministerial Support Officer training and refining my tasks at the department, I unwind by playing basketball with friends from the grad program—a perfect balance of professional growth and personal enjoyment.
  • Day in the life

Kitty Malam

After a day of Ministerial Support Officer training and refining my tasks at the department, I unwind by playing basketball with friends from the grad program—a perfect balance of professional growth and personal enjoyment.
  • Day in the life

Hannah Kirk

Balancing a dynamic workday at the Department of Health and Aged Care, I delve into tasks ranging from managing correspondences to crafting engaging presentations. After insightful meetings and a population health seminar, I cap off the day with social sport—a perfect mix of professional growth and personal well-being.
  • Day in the life

Hannah Kirk

Balancing a dynamic workday at the Department of Health and Aged Care, I delve into tasks ranging from managing correspondences to crafting engaging presentations. After insightful meetings and a population health seminar, I cap off the day with social sport—a perfect mix of professional growth and personal well-being.
  • Day in the life

Kitty Malam

After a day of Ministerial Support Officer training and refining my tasks at the department, I unwind by playing basketball with friends from the grad program—a perfect balance of professional growth and personal enjoyment.
  • Day in the life

Kitty Malam

After a day of Ministerial Support Officer training and refining my tasks at the department, I unwind by playing basketball with friends from the grad program—a perfect balance of professional growth and personal enjoyment.
  • Day in the life

Hannah Kirk

Balancing a dynamic workday at the Department of Health and Aged Care, I delve into tasks ranging from managing correspondences to crafting engaging presentations. After insightful meetings and a population health seminar, I cap off the day with social sport—a perfect mix of professional growth and personal well-being.
  • Day in the life

Hannah Kirk

Balancing a dynamic workday at the Department of Health and Aged Care, I delve into tasks ranging from managing correspondences to crafting engaging presentations. After insightful meetings and a population health seminar, I cap off the day with social sport—a perfect mix of professional growth and personal well-being.

Videos


Department of Health and Aged Care Graduate Program

As a graduate in Health, you will contribute ideas and learn new skills in an environment that draws upon diversity and fosters innovation and high performance.

Department of Health and Aged Care Graduate Program

As a graduate in Health, you will contribute ideas and learn new skills in an environment that draws upon diversity and fosters innovation and high performance.