Molly Kane
Applications for 2026 graduate programs in the Australian Public Service are now open! As a popular way for entry-level candidates to enter the workforce, graduate programs offer training and opportunities for professional development while getting a better idea of potential career paths within the organisations.
The majority of government graduate programs have now streamlined their applications under one application portal - the Australian Government Graduate Program (AGGP). The AGGP has 10 distinct ‘streams’ covering a total of 53 departments and agencies. If you would like to be considered for multiple streams, you must submit a separate application for each.
To help you navigate the process and understand where your application goes, YAIA has compiled a table of agencies included under each stream. Further details on each stream are listed below the link to the table.
Many of these agencies also have their own graduate program application portals. Where applicable, these agencies have been indicated in the table below. While applying through multiple portals may require extra effort, we encourage you to maximise your chances by applying for both the Australian Government Graduate Program (AGGP) streams and any individual agency programs that align with your interests. The Jobs, Internships, and Opportunities Board on YAIA's website highlights these and other graduate program opportunities, so be sure to explore that resource. Keep in mind that application deadlines vary throughout March and April, so plan accordingly.
Stay organised, stay informed, and best of luck with your applications!
The data stream includes three sub-streams: the Data Generalist, Data Scientist and Mathematician/Statistics.
Data Generalists includes Data Analysts, Data Engineers, Data Managers and Geospatial Analysists. This is the biggest sub stream of the data stream. You must have an undergraduate degree, preferably in an area related to data.
The Data Scientist stream fills specialist roles including Applied Data Scientists, Data Science Developers and Data Modellers. You must have qualifications in data science, statistics, computer science, mathematics, actuarial studies, physics, engineering, economics, econometrics or another qualification with a strong quantitative component.
The Mathematician/Statistician stream fills specialist roles including Statisticians, Mathematicians and Evaluation Specialists. You must have qualifications in statistics, mathematics, econometrics, actuarial studies, physics, data science, machine learning and artificial intelligence, operations research or have completed quantitative subjects in qualifications like science, commerce, business, computer science or engineering.
Application due date: 31 March 2025
To be considered under the legal stream you must have completed either a Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor, but it is not necessary to have started your Practical Legal Training.
The legal stream is split into the Legal Policy sub-stream and Legal Practice sub-stream. Legal Policy is geared towards providing policy advice to government, examining and assessing legislation, and providing advice on administration of departmental policy.
Legal Practice involves providing legal advice as as part of an in-house legal team, and may include work in public law, legislative development, corporate and commercial law, dispute resolution and litigation and general counsel services.
Application due date: 14 April 2025
Generalist stream graduates fill a variety of positions in the APS. The work involved depends on the agency, and could fall under administration and support, analytics and research, project/program management, or operations. You must have a bachelor degree or higher.
Application due date: 14 April 2025
The economist stream fills roles in economic modelling and forecasting, policy research and market analysis. You must have a bachelor’s degree in economics or econometrics, or any bachelor’s degree with a major or minor in economics.
Application due date: 14 April 2025
Graduates in the digital stream will work in a variety of roles related to digital technology. Many roles relate to communication and enhancing digital literacy. You may be working in areas such as analysis, architecture, cyber security, data, infrastructure and engineering, operations, outcomes management, programming, quality and service design. You must have completed a bachelor degree or higher in a digital or technical field.
Application due date: 14 April 2025
This stream recruits a significant number of graduates, mostly under the Department of Finance. Work may include working on government policies, government and commercial projects, and the Australian Government Budget.
Application due date: 14 April 2025
Recruits under the STEM stream must have completed an undergraduate degree in a STEM field. This stream is led by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources on behalf of the other participating agencies. Work may include international and national space negotiations, robotics, chemical and biological analysis, cyber security, technology and programming, geophysics and spatial analysis.
Application due date: 14 April 2025
Recruits under the STEM stream must have completed an undergraduate degree in a STEM field. This stream is led by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources on behalf of the other participating agencies. Work may include international and national space negotiations, robotics, chemical and biological analysis, cyber security, technology and programming, geophysics and spatial analysis.
Application due date: 14 April 2025
This pathway is open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants in a variety of agencies.
Application due date: 14 April 2025
You can apply for the intelligence stream in your last two years of study (early applications recommended due to security clearance processing times).
You should also consider making applications through the Department of Defence, ASIO and ASIS, which each have their own application portals. Please note that these applications close earlier than the AGGP Intelligence Stream applications.
Application due date: 28 April 2025
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