Flony: The best part of the graduate program in assisting my transition into the Department was the support network and the professional network that it placed me with — so, my fellow graduates — and it really helped me grow socially as well as professionally.
Indianna: Having the Graduate Development Program with roughly 70 to 80 other graduates was a great professional and personal support network to have. It extended beyond just being able to come to work at Home Affairs, but also having people to connect with in Canberra outside of the workplace.
Nitya: We meet people who have come from, you know, across Australia, and we come together and it becomes like your second family.
Lachlan: It’s a very rich and rewarding experience, and there are opportunities and privileges afforded to grads that, if you were to come into the Department as a regular APS employee, would probably be harder to come by.
Flony: This part of the program was able to engage with SES and got that exposure that I would otherwise never get as an entrant into the Department through any other means. And it was always helpful to see that SES offered their time and their advice to sort of reveal for you how they’d found their way through the Department, through the public service.
Nitya: You learn so much from them, and they are always there to support you — and that’s something you only get in a grad program.
Lachlan: I think some of the most valuable experiences that we had were actually just getting a really diverse range of opportunities to move within the Department over the course of the year and to get exposed to all different aspects of the Department — be it the ABF, be it policy. That was really valuable because you see how all of these different, seemingly disparate parts of the Department actually work together and overlap.
Indianna: In terms of how the Graduate Development Program impacted my career progression, it definitely had a huge positive impact. It helped move the needle dramatically, and it afforded me some new and better career opportunities that I wouldn’t have been able to get had I been joining the Department at a different level.
Nitya: The Graduate Program at Home Affairs is definitely the best decision to make for your career.
Shaping Tomorrow Today
Applications for the 2026 Graduate Development Program open on 17 March 2025.
Join an organisation that values your unique perspective, empowers innovation, and drives meaningful change. By working with us, you’ll contribute to building a more inclusive, secure, and prosperous Australia and make a real difference in the lives of people across the nation.
As a graduate you’ll embark on a journey of diverse opportunities and hands-on experiences. Our program offers:
- structured development
- tailored support
- dynamic workplace rotations
- the chance to collaborate on impactful projects.
You’ll gain the skills, knowledge and confidence to shape your career and create a better future.
Generalist Pathway
Our Generalist Stream Graduate Program attracts talented individuals whose key qualifications align with the work of the organisation. These include:
- Computer Science
- Cyber Security
- Cyber Security Analyst
- Law Enforcement
- Intelligence
- Information Security
- Public Policy
- Politics and Political Science
- Policy and Governance
- Sociology
- Psychology
- Criminology
- International Affairs
- Surveillance
- Government Investigations
- Social Science
- Business Administration
- Arts
- Forensic Identification.
We also value candidates with diverse qualifications beyond this list to ensure we meet the evolving needs of the organisation. Our program seeks to harness a wide range of skills and expertise. This will support our mission and drive innovation in public service.
Celebrating Culture, Building Futures
The Graduate Development Program provides a valuable opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander graduates to shape Australia’s future while building rewarding careers.
This 10-month program nurtures skills, celebrates culture, and support career development in an inclusive, diverse, and culturally safe workplace.
The Department of Home Affairs and ABF is committed to ensuring First Nations employees feel safe, respected, and valued. We actively foster an environment where we recognise and celebrate identity and heritage through:
- cultural mentoring
- dedicated support networks and
- ongoing awareness programs.
Career Pathways
In addition to our own Graduate recruitment process, you can explore a range of specialised
Australian Government Graduate Program streams.
This includes:
If you wish to be considered for a Department of Home Affairs and ABF Graduate role through one of the streams, you must apply directly to that stream. You must indicate the Department of Home Affairs as a preferred employer.
By applying to these streams, you may also be considered for graduate roles in a variety of Australian Government Departments, Agencies and Commonwealth entities.
Contact us
For enquiries about the Graduate Development Program email us at
entry.programs@homeaffairs.gov.au
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