Eligibility criteria 

To be eligible for this program, you must: 

• Be an Australian citizen at the time of application.
• Be willing to undergo any police, character, health or other checks required.
• Be able to obtain and maintain a valid Australian Government security clearance when required. For more information, refer to the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA).
• Be currently studying an Australian undergraduate or postgraduate degree in a data or digital field.
• Have completed at least the first full-time year of your degree by January 2027 and have at least one year of study remaining. Cadet participants are required to be studying for the duration of the program.  

We welcome students from many different data and digital-focused degrees, including: 

Data Degrees 

• Actuarial Studies.
• Analytics.
• Computer Science.
• Data Science.
• Engineering.
• Economics.
• Geography.
• Mathematics.
• Physics.
• Psychology.
• Sociology. 

Digital Degrees

• Review the eligible digital qualifications and check if you qualify for the program.

Skills you need

To be suitable for a data or digital cadet role, you should have most or all of the following skills: 

• Demonstrate an interest in learning about data and digital technologies.
• The capacity to build and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Personal drive and initiative.
• Work well in a team by collaborating with others in a helpful and professional way.
• Have a positive attitude, be eager to learn, and a desire to contribute to the APS and wider community. 

Benefits 

The Data and Digital Cadet Program offers excellent benefits, including: 

• Competitive salary between $63,000 and $70,000 pro rata.
• Generous super contributions of 15.4%.
• A permanent part-time role while studying, transitioning to full-time employment once you graduate and complete the program.
• Flexible study and work schedule to balance your studies and work responsibilities.
• Up to $800 allowance per successfully completed subject.  

Locations

We recruit data and digital cadets across all Australian states and territories, with most positions located in Canberra. 

What to expect in this program

As a Data or Digital cadet, you'll work on meaningful projects that support Australians and help deliver smarter, more efficient government services. You'll gain hands-on experience, build in-demand digital skills, and learn for dedicated professionals. All while studying and getting paid. 

As a Data or Digital Cadet, you will: 

• Apply your university studies to real government projects and challenges.
• Work part-time while finishing your studies. Then move to full-time once your graduate from your degree and complete the program.
• Receive career coaching and professional guidance to help you succeed in your career.
• Start your pathway into a diverse career in government.
• Participate in workshops, technical masterclass and networking opportunities.  

Digital Cadet degrees focus on:

Building, designing, implementing, managing, and evaluating digital systems, platforms, services, and technologies, including how people interact with them. These degrees are about how digital things are built and used. 

Data Cadet degrees focus on: 

Collecting, managing, analysing, modelling, and interpreting data to generate insights, evidence, and decision-making support. These degrees are about working with data itself.