Career Advice

Location: Canberra

Work Type: Graduate Program

Salary: $81,349 - $92,753

Working at DFAT

A career with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) provides you with the opportunity to make a difference. You will learn new skills, be part of experienced and motivated teams, and undertake work that promotes and protects Australia's international interests.

We work with international partners and other countries to tackle global challenges, increase Australia's trade and investment opportunities, protect international rules, keep our region stable and help Australians overseas.

DFAT manages Australia's international presence – a network of over 116 embassies, high commissions, consulates-general and representative offices across five continents – and we have over 6,000 staff located in Australia and overseas. These staff are diplomats, negotiators, consular officers, advisers and corporate officers developing and delivering Australia's foreign policy, trade and development outcomes on behalf of Australia and Australians.

Each year DFAT selects a range of graduates with varying experience, academic qualifications and backgrounds. We aim to build a workforce that represents the Australia we serve and encourage applications from people with diverse backgrounds who share our values.

About the program

No matter your interest, whether it's in corporate management, foreign affairs, international development, policy or trade and investment, our graduate program will prepare you for a rich and rewarding career in DFAT.

Our graduate program has 2 streams: Corporate and Policy.

You will complete 4 placements and get first-hand experience across a range of the government's priorities during your program.

Corporate graduates may be placed in various roles, such as:

• consular and crisis management
• overseas property office
• accounting and financial management
• human resources (HR)
• diplomatic security
• corporate communications
• information communication technology (ICT)
• corporate law.

Policy graduates may be placed in various roles, such as:

• bilateral economic and political relations
• international trade negotiations and economic analysis
• development and aid program management
• international security
• international law
• public diplomacy
• multilateral and global issues
• strategic communications.

What we offer

During the 18-month program, you will be provided with:

• an ongoing position, commencing at an APS4 classification and advancing to an APS5 classification upon completion of the program
• 15.4% superannuation
• targeted training and development from the award-winning Diplomatic Academy
• an inclusive and flexible working environment
• access to employee and professional networks
• generous leave conditions
• a relocation package if you need to move to Canberra from within Australia.

All graduate roles are based in Canberra.