Department of Home Affairs Graduate Programs & Internships

Eligibility Requirements:

You are welcome to apply for our Graduate Development Program if you:

• Are an Australian citizen or will be by 18 March 2025
• Have completed at least an Australian Qualifications Framework Level 7 qualification (a Bachelor Degree) equivalent, or higher equivalent by 31 December 2025. Degrees obtained within the last 5 years and recognised by the Australian Qualifications Framework are eligible for the program.
• Can obtain and maintain an Employment Suitability Clearance or an onboarding check as applicable. We encourage you to complete the Employment Suitability Self-Assessment.
• Obtain and maintain an Australian Government Security Vetting Agency clearance at the Negative Vetting 1 level. 

If you obtained your degree overseas, you’ll need to have it recognised by the Department of Education, Skills and Employment 

Applicant response:

1. As part of your application, you will be required to prepare a response document (minimum 11pt font in MSWord or PDF format and maximum of 300 words), which you will upload in the next section. 
2. To apply for the Department's Graduate Development Program, you are required to answer the following question during the application process:

• Why are you interested in being a graduate at the Department of Home Affairs? 

1. Prior to preparing your response it is recommended you review the Work Level Standards relevant to the classification you are applying to. It may also be useful to refer to the Integrated Leadership System information relevant to the classification. You are required to submit your application in Home Affairs' online recruitment system (ourPeople).

As part of your application you will also need to provide:

• Your Applicant Response document
• Details of two referees. 
• Upload details of your qualifications, including your current academic transcript (1 attachment of up to 3MB) and your CV
• Include your full name and the Requisition Number in the footer of any documents being uploaded.

Please ensure you read the instructions carefully, noting failure to address identified requirements may lead to your application being deemed ineligible. 

How to apply:

Applications for the 2026 program will open on 17 March 2025.

The selection process for our Graduate Development Program is comprehensive and takes place over multiple stages across several months. To progress, you must meet the required standards at each stage.

Here’s what to expect:

Step 1: Online Application

• Create an account on our recruitment website to submit your application.
• During the application process, you’ll be required to provide:
  • personal information
  • details of your qualifications (including an academic transcript as an attachment, maximum file size of 3 MB)
  • a statement verifying recognition of your qualifications if obtained overseas (attachment, maximum 3 MB)
  • a short pitch explaining why you want to work with the organisation
  • your resume.

After you submit your application, you will receive an email confirmation. You can log into your account at any time to update your personal details or referee information. After the closing date, you can only update profile information (e.g. contact details).

Step 2: First Round of Assessments and Interview

This stage includes online assessments that evaluate cognitive abilities and skills essential for our graduate roles. 

We will invite applicants who successfully complete this phase to a virtual video interview to respond to several behavioural interview questions.     

Step 3: Assessment Centre

We will invite candidates who progress past first interview stage to a virtual assessment centre to take part in assessment sessions. 

These sessions include a range of activities to evaluate applicants’ suitability for the program. Assessment sessions are typically held mid-year.

Step 4: Referee Reports

Referee reports will provide information about your:

• employment history
• qualifications
• experience and 
• role suitability. 

They also allow the selection panel to clarify any matters from your assessment.

Step 5: Merit Pool

At the end of the recruitment process, we will inform you if you are suitable for the program. We will place suitable candidates in a merit pool. Not all suitable candidates will receive an offer. Wait until you receive a formal offer before you resign from any current employment.

Step 6: Verbal Employment Offer

If we select you, we will contact you with a conditional verbal employment offer. This offer is dependent on obtaining the required security clearances, including an Employment Suitability Clearance and a Negative Vetting 1 Clearance.

Step 7: Clearances

All employees must undergo comprehensive security clearance processing before commencing with the Department of Home Affairs and ABF. This includes obtaining an Employment Suitability Clearance and a Commonwealth Security Clearance.

For more information on our clearance process, visit Employment Suitability Screening.

Affirmative Measures:

At the Department of Home Affairs and ABF, we are committed to building and valuing a diverse, professional and empowered workforce that authentically represents the community we serve. 

Our inclusive recruitment processes allow candidates to demonstrate their capability, ensuring that all applicants are assessed and compared fairly on merit.

​The aim is to improve representation in the Australian Public Service (APS) by:

• Promoting equality and non-discrimination in employment
• Recognising equality and non-discrimination in employment
• Recognising that everyone has the right to equal employment opportunities and providing extra support where needed to remove barriers for some groups
• Increasing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people with disability employed in the APS
• helping agencies meet the APS wide target of 2% representation

​Recruiting using affirmative measures follows the same process for recruiting any employee, with engagement and promotion decisions based on merit.

First Nations:

Outlined in Section 31 of the Australian Public Service Commissioner’s Directions, participating candidates must provide evidence that they:

• are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Australian descent
• identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Australian or both
• are accepted as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander by their community.

Applicants can confirm their heritage with either:

• a letter signed and executed by the Chairperson of an incorporated Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander organisation confirming that they are recognised as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person
• confirmation of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent form executed by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander organisation.

People with disability

Outlined in Section 33 of the Australian Public Service Commissioner’s Directions, suitable evidence is not to include information about the type of disability (unless the vacancy has been restricted to a particular disability) and may be any one of the following:

• certificate or letter from a registered medical practitioner
• letter from a Disability Employment Service or jobactive provider
• letter from a secondary or tertiary institution disability services unit in relation to a recent student of the type of disability is only required if the vacancy is restricted to people with a particular type of disability.

Other documents may be considered in individual circumstances. ​

Join us in Shaping Tomorrow Today! 

Apply now

When you are ready to apply, see Graduate Program

Shaping Tomorrow Today

Our Graduate Program offers an exceptional pathway to launch your career in a dynamic and meaningful environment. With tailored rotations designed to align with your interests and skills, you’ll gain hands-on experience across diverse areas of the Department. 

The program includes vocational learning opportunities to build your professional expertise, personalised coaching to support your development, and dedicated support to help you succeed. Graduates will benefit from a comprehensive induction program, networking events, and mentoring, equipping them with the skills and connections to build a rewarding career.

We put our people first, fostering exemplary leadership, collaboration, and innovation to make a meaningful impact.

Our program invests in your growth, prepares you for a fulfilling and impactful career and for you to contribute to Shaping Tomorrow Today. 

We offer you:

• Access to flexible working arrangements
• Supportive and diverse culture
• Comprehensive training to build foundational knowledge and skills
• Vocational learning opportunities
• A graduate-specific induction program designed to help you succeed
• Access to on-the-job coaching
• Ongoing employment pathways for long-term career development across a wide range of roles
• Rotation opportunities across the Department of Home Affairs and/or Australian Border Force
• Dedicated support from mentors, buddies, stream leaders and champions as well as the Entry Programs team
• Relocation assistance