Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) Graduate Programs & Internships

We are seeking graduates that will help us achieve our goals and foster our positive workplace culture. We encourage you to apply if you:

• like to tackle important issues
• are open to doing things differently
• anticipate and adapt to new situations
• are mindful of the impact you have on others
• make things happen to ensure success

Our graduates come from all university degree disciplines. This reflects the variety of career paths available.

Who can apply

You must:

• be an Australian citizen or have been granted citizenship prior to 1 January 2024
• have completed a Bachelor’s degree (or higher qualification), before the start of the 2024 program

You can have completed your degree at any time before that date.

International degree

If you received your degree overseas, it must be recognised by the Office of International Education. You can find contact details for each state and territory.

How to apply

Applications for the 2023 Graduate Development Program open 6 March 2023.

Graduates

2024 Graduate Applications for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s 2024 Graduate Development Program open on Monday 6 March 2023.

What to expect

As one of our graduates, you will make a valuable contribution to protecting Australia’s natural resources, developing strong agricultural industries and delivering policies and programs for a strong economy. The work we do today, matters for tomorrow.

Our 12-month Graduate Program will:

• develop your existing knowledge and skills
• enhance your confidence in the workplace
• kick start a rewarding career in the Australian Public Service

Our graduates start as full-time, permanent employees at the APS 3 level. On successful completion of the program, we will assess you for advancement to the APS 4 or APS 5 level.

Why join our department?

Whatever your skills and expertise, the work you undertake during your graduate program will contribute directly to the future of our nation and our key priorities to:

• Biosecurity - strengthening our national biosecurity system to provide an appropriate level of protection to Australia’s people, our environment and economy from the biosecurity threats of today and tomorrow.
• Resilience and sustainability - increasing the contribution agriculture, forestry and fisheries make to a healthy, sustainable and low emissions environment.
• Industry growth - supporting industry to grow toward a $100 billion agriculture, fisheries and forestry industry by 2030 amid changing global market conditions.

Who are we looking for?

We’re looking for graduates from a wide range of disciplines, including (but not limited to) agricultural and environmental sciences, policy and government, international relations, veterinarians, legal studies, finance, resource economics, data and digital.

Our commitment to diversity

It’s well known that our best assets are our people. Our differences enhance our work, providing new vantage points to problem solve and to deliver for our fellow Australians. It is important for us to accurately represent the vast diversity of our people, from our backgrounds, cultures, identities, and lives outside of work, to our work itself. Our better together suite of videos highlights our commitment to fostering an inclusive culture, where everyone feels safe to be themselves at work.

Apply for the 2024 Graduate Development Program In 2024, most of our recruitment will be through the Australian Government Graduate Program. You can learn more about the different streams by clicking through the links below:

• Generalist Stream
• Digital Stream
• Data Stream
• Legal Stream
• STEM Stream
• HR Stream
• Economist Stream
• Accounting and Financial Management Stream
• Indigenous Graduate Pathway

We will be running separate recruitment for graduate positions for those interested in working with the Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resource Economics and Science (ABARES), and those licensed and registered in Australia to work as a veterinarian. Details of how to apply for these streams are listed below:

• ABARES Graduates
• Veterinarian GraduatesYou must also upload a copy of your CV and academic transcript.

ABARES program

Our ABARES Entry Level Professional Program for graduates has its own application process for economists, data scientists, and statisticians. ABARES scientists will be recruited via the APS-wide STEM stream in 2023-24. See the ABARES careers page for more information.

Security clearance and medical examination

Before we offer you a position, you will have to undergo an Australian Federal Police (AFP) police records check.

If you are cleared, you must also undertake:

• a security clearance to the Negative Vetting Level 1, which involves a series of assessments and background checks conducted by AGSVA
• a medical examination by our external health provider, to determine if you are medically fit to undertake the position (this will include a Q fever vaccination)

Remuneration 

Graduates can expect a salary of $71,444

Employees are offered fringe benefits that may include annual flu vaccinations, job dependant vaccinations, work health and safety information and training, training and development (e.g. internal assignments, on-the-job training, secondment opportunities, e-learning courses, study leave for approved external studies), and flexible working arrangements (e.g. job sharing, part-time hours, support for carers, paid annual leave, leave provisions).