Graduate opportunities
"At its heart, the Australian Public Service Commission is about people.”
- Dr Gordon de Brouwer, Australian Public Service Commissioner
Who we are
The Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) is a mid-sized agency within the portfolio of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. We are custodians of public service integrity, workforce management and capability. Our vision is for a trusted and contemporary Australian Public Service (APS) that delivers for Government and for Australia.
We play a central role in the APS through guiding and positioning its 170,000-strong workforce to deliver Australian Government’s priorities and meet the Australian people’s needs into the future.
We aim to set service-wide guidance and policy and demonstrate leadership in driving a high-performing APS workforce.
We do this by partnering with agencies to uplift the quality, capability and capacity of the APS workforce. We also set standards and expectations on integrity, behaviour and stewardship so it is clear what it means to be a good public servant and leader in the APS.
Our statutory responsibilities and commitment to change provide opportunities for exciting and engaging work.
What makes us interesting
The APSC offers graduates unique and varied opportunities to drive long-lasting cultural, systems, structural and legislative change across the APS.
We feature a range of business areas, giving you exposure to a broad range of experiences, including:
- APS Craft and Learning via the APS Academy
- Workplace relations
- Workforce planning and data
- Diversity and inclusion
- Engagement and communications
- First Nations unit
- Professions and pathways
- International team
And as part of our work, we support and drive a range of projects, programs and policies including recent examples such as:
- APS-wide bargaining
- APS reform agenda
- Culturally and Linguistically Diverse employment strategy
- Capability Reviews
- SES100
We also deliver recurring projects, including the APS Employee Census, the Remuneration Report and State of the Service Report and Roadshow.
Why join us?
The APSC is a unique, exciting and engaging place to work. This 12 month program, involving two work placements, delivers on-the-job learning and training experiences with rewarding advancement opportunities based on successful completion.
As an APSC graduate you’ll have opportunities to gain experience with:
- strategic and operational HR
- political/policy awareness and policy development
- research and analysis
- international engagement
- report writing
- workforce planning and business strategy
- workshop and survey design
- inclusion and diversity initiatives
- communications and engagement
- designing and delivering operational and strategic communications campaigns and activities
- delivering best-practice stakeholder engagement
- organising activities outlines in work plans
- conducting research on international issues and engaging with international partners
- Senate Estimates
- shadowing senior leaders.
You can also expect to:
- Gain a unique perspective of the public service
- Develop a broad range of skills and expertise
- Work on high-level strategic initiatives with systemic impact
- Gain exposure to senior leaders
- Network within the Commission and across the APS
- Receive ongoing opportunities with the APSC after the program ends.
Other benefits
Competitive salary:
As a graduate, you will be engaged as a full-time ongoing APS employee under the Public Service Act 1999.
Commencing as an APS 4 with an annual salary of $74,286 plus 15.4% super, upon successful completion of the program you will advance to APS 5 with an annual salary of $83,354 and 15.4% super.
Under our new Enterprise agreement your salary will increase annually in March 2025 and March 2026.
Flexible working arrangements
We work with graduates to allow them the opportunity to work flexibly while also maintaining valuable exposure to the workplace environment.
Flexible working arrangements can be negotiated with your supervisor.
Relocation assistance
All positions are located in Canberra. Reasonable relocation assistance will be provided for participants required to move for the position.
Assistance may include:
- flights or other transportation costs
- access to temporary accommodation (time limited)
- furniture removal and short term storage costs.
"I had a really positive experience relocating to Canberra with the APSC! Before moving, the People team organised temporary accommodation for me in Canberra, booked my flight down and paid for my move. On the move-in day, my supervisor was also really supportive in letting me work from home to meet the removalists. Most of my team are not from Canberra so they gave lots of tips of places to go and things to do here, making me feel very welcome.”
- Nancy
Executive-level mentorship
We match our incoming graduates with executive level mentors who provide guidance and support throughout the graduate year. Our mentoring program aims to support graduates and assists with building professional networks.
“When you start a career in a new workplace, especially if relocating to Canberra, it can be hard not knowing anyone. Despite being a bit of challenge, having a mentor can be really helpful - not to mention someone in a executive level. My mentor has been really understanding and was there to support me particularly in difficult situations, providing guidance when necessary"
- Michael
Ongoing opportunities
On successful completion of the program a permanent ongoing APS role in the APSC awaits. We will continue to support your career development and offer study assistance for further education.
“Following the completion of my graduate year I was placed in the International team. Our small team delivers a range of programs to support our partners in the Pacific and Southeast Asia on best practice in public administration. Through my work I've met countless international delegations in Canberra, and since completing my graduate year I've even had the opportunity to travel to PNG and Nauru myself. Sharing the Commission's work internationally has given me a unique perspective into our cutting-edge strategic HR functions, and has been a testament to the diverse opportunities working in a central agency has to offer."
- Genavieve
“From exposure to high level discussions with Ministers and secretaries to conducting site visits in different states, a rotation with the Capability Review team was a challenging yet unforgettable experience.”
- Nabil
Who can apply?
The APSC is an equal opportunity employer providing a friendly and inclusive workplace. We are outcomes focused and promote APS Values and collaboration across the APS. We champion the experiences, skills and perspectives of all employees.
We support flexible work, and encourage applicants from diverse cultures and backgrounds to apply, including those with caring and parenting responsibilities, so we better represent the communities we serve.
To apply, you must:
- be an Australian citizen at the time of application
- be able to obtain and maintain a baseline security clearance prior to commencement
- meet the eligibility requirements for the relevant Australian Government Graduate Program streams.
Apply now
If we seem like the perfect place to build a career, you can apply to be part of our graduate program.
You can also visit the Graduate Portal for more general information about graduate programs.
Need more info?
If you have further questions about the application process or graduate opportunities with the APSC, please contact the APSC People Team.
Fast facts
| Starting APS level | APS 4 |
| Final APS level | APS 5 |
| Starting salary | $74,286 |
| Salary on completion | $83,354 |
| Superannuation | 15.4% |
| Location(s) | Canberra, ACT |
| Program details | 12-month program involving 2 rotations |
| Relocation assistance | Provided |
| Other requirements | Baseline Security Clearance required prior to commencement |