How to land a graduate job at Services Australia

What’s the best way to get into the graduate program at Services Australia?

To get into the Services Australia National Graduate Program, you need to apply through the annual recruitment process on our website. The recruitment process involves a number of steps, including an online application form, online assessment and participation in an assessment centre.

These tips will help you through the process:

• Research Services Australia. Our purpose is to support Australians by efficiently delivering high-quality, accessible services and payments on behalf of the government.  
• Be up-to-date with the major issues and challenges that our agency currently faces.
• Review the requirements of the National Graduate Program.
• Understand the broader issues relevant to our agency and your field of study.
• Make sure the device you plan to use for online assessments is working properly.
• Practice addressing selection criteria using the STAR method:

• S – describe a specific situation
• T – what was the task you needed to do
• A – what action did you do to achieve it
• R – what result did you get.

• Give us examples. Prepare a suite of work, volunteer or study examples that are time and project-specific and frame your responses in terms of the actions you took. You should feel comfortable frequently using the word “I” in your responses.

What about timing?

Applications for the 2026 National Graduate Program are open from 3 March to 31 March 2025. During the recruitment process, we’ll keep in contact with candidates by email and phone. You can also follow us on our social media pages. 

What type of graduates are you looking for?

We're looking for graduates who want to deliver simple, helpful, respectful and transparent experiences for our customers. We want the future leaders of the Australian Public Service (APS). We want graduates who are bold, have big ideas and are forward thinkers.

We’re looking for a wide range of people to join us and we’re committed to providing an inclusive workplace. We value our staff for their unique qualities, ideas and perspectives.

Our policies support workplace diversity and we implement strategies and initiatives to champion this.

To be eligible, you must:

• be an Australian citizen
• be willing to relocate, if required
• have completed, or be due to complete, an undergraduate or postgraduate degree recognised in Australia in the last 5 years
• to apply to the legal stream, have a weighted average mark of 60 or above
• to apply for the social work stream, have completed, or be due to complete, an Australian Association of Social Work approved qualification.

To apply to the generalist and service delivery streams, you can have any degree.

To apply to our other streams, you need a relevant degree in one of these areas:

• data
• digital
• finance and accounting
• human resources
• law
• service design
• social work

How can I stand out?

Candidates who’ve done their research and practiced both video  and face-to-face interviewing will stand out. Show us you have an understanding of our business and the graduate program.

Demonstrate strong problem-solving skills using examples from your study, volunteer work and essentially any job you’ve worked in. Try to relate them back to the graduate program and what you anticipate you’ll do during the graduate year.

What are some key attributes of successful candidates?

Successful applicants will demonstrate:

• initiative
• ethical, adaptive and evidence-based judgement
• strong problem-solving skills
• excellent written and verbal communication skills
• the ability to establish positive working relationships with team members and stakeholders
• support for a workplace culture that values diversity, respect and inclusion.

Any other tips for graduates?

Applying and making your way through the selection process for a graduate program can be stressful and time-consuming. Make sure you set aside time for relaxation and recreation to maintain your health and wellbeing. It’s just as important during your career, when you’ll experience the usual challenges and changes in pace that work brings.