Graduate Program

Applications for the AusAID 2012 Graduate Program are now closed.

AusAID needs people who want to make a real contribution to the elimination of poverty and the promotion of sustainable development. AusAID recruits graduates to fill approximately 50 places in its Graduate Program.

Who we are

The Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) is an Australian Government agency within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio.

AusAID advises the Government on international development policy and manages Australia's overseas aid program. AusAID's work contributes to a global commitment to achieve the eight Millennium Development Goals, which are to:

halve the number of people living in extreme poverty and hunger
ensure that all children receive primary education
promote sexual equality and give women a stronger voice
reduce child death rates
improve the health of mothers
combat HIV & AIDS, malaria and other diseases
make sure the environment is protected
build a global partnership for those working in development.

With a head office in Canberra, and strongly complemented by its field offices around the world, AusAID works in close partnership with Australian and foreign government officials, international and multilateral organisations (including the United Nations, World Bank and Asian Development Bank), the private sector, non-government and community organisations, and civil society. AusAID has working relationships with many more companies and organisations who help us design and deliver important programs of assistance.

Given Australia's geographic location, our assistance is primarily provided to the Asia-Pacific region with large programs of assistance in:

Papua New Guinea
Indonesia
Solomon Islands
Other Pacific Island Countries (including Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, Kiribati and other small island states)
East Timor
Philippines
South East Asia (including Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Burma)

Significant assistance is provided to countries and regions in South Asia, North Asia, Middle East, and Sub-Saharan Africa. AusAID also responds on behalf of the Australian Government to emergencies and disasters that occur in developing countries. More about AusAID.

Who we want

As a dynamic Government agency working in the changing international arena we look for highly talented, motivated graduates from varied backgrounds, for example:

development economics
government or public administration
Asian and Pacific studies
law and legal studies
international relations/political studies

Many other disciplines will be considered.

AusAID will commence a sector specific stream in 2012 and will also be seeking applications from people interested in working in sectoral policy areas of the agency such as:

health
education
economics
infrastructure

In 2012 we will also be seeking applications from people with strong corporate skills and experience to fill a number of graduate positions in areas such as:

finance
human resources
property management
information technology

The successful applicants often have a strong record of academic achievement and may have honours, combined or higher degrees. However, academic qualifications are not the sole criterion for selection. We also assess applicants on the quality of work experience, extra curricular achievements and community activities. Thus we look for strong abilities in the following core capacities:

strength in conceptual and analytical skills
excellenct interpersonal and communication skills
demonstrated team skills and personal drive

Applicants for the graduate program as a minimum need a three-year bachelor degree from an Australian university, or an equivalent degree as recognised by the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR) [external link]. If you have an overseas degree it is your responsibility to gain recognition through NOOSR at your own cost.

About the Graduate Development Programs

AusAID Graduates are recruited through three separate streams and participate in an accelerated AusAID Development Program. The Graduate Development Programs provide an overview of AusAID and its operations over the course of 2 years.

The Programs includes participation in four work rotations across the agency, beginning in early February 2012, which provide on-the-job training and skills development under supervision. Rotations are in various areas of the Agency and may include policy, program, corporate or sectoral functions. Graduates may have an opportunity to undertake an overseas rotation during the second year of the program.

Graduates participate in an induction and training program consisting of courses, seminars and workshops conducted or arranged by the Agency to provide opportunities to acquire the appropriate knowledge and skills.

Graduate Streams

AusAID recruits graduates in three separate streams:

Policy and Program Stream

The Policy and Program Stream is designed for people interested in working in a variety of program and policy areas of AusAID. Policy and Program Graduates gain a broad knowledge of the agencies functions and rotate in all areas of the agency, including policy, country program, sectoral and corporate areas. Graduates develop skills in policy development through research and analysis, on areas such as economic growth, education, environment, gender, governance, health, HIV/AIDS, pandemics, human rights, infrastructure, regional stability, rural development or water and sanitation and program and project management and support to the regional programs of PNG, Asia, Pacific, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and the Middle East. During rotations in the corporate areas of the agency graduates develop skills in policy development and implementation of HR, IT, Finance and Communications strategies.

Corporate Stream

The Corporate Stream is designed for people interested in working in the corporate functions of AusAID, and developing a career in one of the following fields; Human Resources, Financial Management, Budget, Property Management or Information Technology. The Corporate Graduates will develop skills specifically relating to their specific corporate function and they are supervised and mentored by senior corporate staff in the agency. Graduates rotate through corporate areas of the agency relevant to their qualifications and undertake one rotation in a policy or program area. During the program graduates gain an understanding of the role of corporate in government and the impact corporate functions have across the entire agency. Graduates gain an understanding of the Australian Government frameworks and responsibilities of agencies. They develop skills in financial management and budgeting, executive and external reporting, information management, property management, security classifications and handling secure information, corporate service delivery, and the importance of a close interaction between program and corporate areas.

Health, Education, Economics and Infrastructure Sector Stream

The Sector Stream is specifically for people interested in working in the health, education, economics and infrastructure sectoral policy and/or partnership/program areas of the agency. The program will provide on-the-job training and skills development under the supervision of relevant sector staff. Rotations across the sectoral functions of the agency will also include country programs that relate to health, education, economics and infrastructure. Graduates will have the opportunity to develop skills in their sector specific areas and will be mentored by staff who have extensive knowledge in their fields. The role of the graduate will vary depending on the rotation, but may include policy development through research and analysis, on health, education, economics and infrastructure or supporting partnerships, program and/or projects in PNG, Asia, Pacific, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and the Middle East and/or with other relevant global or regional agencies.

A mentoring program has been developed. This is designed to promote a speedy integration into the Agency and to assist graduates to reach their full performance potential. This resource is designed to assist the graduate to handle the range of personal and professional demands in the workplace.

Professional development and your career

AusAID encourages life-long learning, in particular the continuation of formal studies. AusAID generously assists staff with the cost of formal relevant studies through the Study Support Scheme. Graduates may apply to access this scheme on completion of the Graduate Program.

The training and work experience gained through the Graduate Program provides a solid foundation for a career with AusAID. On completion of the program, graduates are encouraged to apply for promotion through merit-based competitive processes. Posting opportunities are available with AusAID, however it should be noted that AusAID staff that are posted have a thorough understanding of the Australian aid program, and generally have several years working experience with the agency.

Graduate profiles

For profiles of graduates who have participated in AusAID's graduate program, see our graduate profiles.

Salary and other conditions of employment

All AusAID graduates will work in Canberra and commence on a salary equivalent to Australian Public Service Level 3. For graduates commencing in February 2012 the salary will be $51,795.

Other conditions of service include:

flexible working hours based on a 37.05 hour week
four weeks annual recreation leave
cumulative personal/sick leave (18 days per year)
a comprehensive superannuation scheme
long service leave (after ten years service)
relocation assistance will be as per the AusAID Enterprise Agreement

More information on salary and benefits is in the AusAID Enterprise Agreement.

Last reviewed: 20 May, 2011