Eligibility criteria 

To be eligible for the Accounting and Financial Management Stream in the Australian Government Graduate Program (AGGP), you must: 

• Be an Australian citizen at the time of application. 
• Hold or be completing a bachelor's degree (or higher) in a accounting or finance field by December 31, 2025. 
• Have completed your most recent degree between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2025. For eligible qualifications, visit the Department of Finance website to view the 2026 AGGP Candidate information guide (Accounting & Financial Management stream) for further information.
• Be prepared to undergo police, character, health, or other necessary checks. 
• Be able to obtain and maintain a valid Australian Government security clearance once accepted onto the program, when required. Further information on security clearances is available from Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA).  

Skills you need 

To be suitable for an Accounting and Financial Management graduate role, you should demonstrate:

• A keen eye for accuracy and strong numeracy skills
• Enthusiasm for meaningful and impactful work 
• Adaptability to diverse work environments 
• Strong team collaboration skills. 

Benefits 

As a graduate with the Australian Government, you'll engage in meaningful work from day one. You'll contribute your perspectives and witness the impact you make on the Australian community we serve.

Working with the Australian Government offers excellent benefits, including:

• Attractive salaries (starting salaries range from $61,749 - $80,505 depending on placement agency).
• Employment security with structured development and clear objectives.
• Commitment to inclusion and diversity.
• Generous super contributions of 15.4%.
• Flexible work practices and excellent leave conditions.

Locations

Most graduate positions are located in Canberra, with some opportunities available nationwide in major cities. Relocation assistance may be available for successful candidates.

What to expect in this program 

The Accounting and Financial Management streams on offer consists of:

• On-the-job learning and development opportunities
• Stakeholder engagement
• Support from dedicated supervisors
• Technical training to enhance your knowledge of government finances
• Mentoring from an experienced finance professional 
• A full-time, permanent role upon successful completion of the 12-month program 

Managed by the Department of Finance, this Accounting and Financial Management stream recruits a significant number of graduate roles across the Australian Government and Commonwealth agencies. Graduates gain valuable skills and experience throughout the program, working alongside dedicated people in the Accounting and Finance profession.

You'll be supported and encouraged to undertake further learning, development and study, including professional qualifications such as those offered by Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) and Certified Practising Accountants (CPA) Australia. You’ll also undertake specialist accounting and finance training to hone your technical knowledge, and be mentored by senior qualified accountant to develop your professional and practical skills.

Diversity and inclusion 

We welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disabilities, LGBTQI+ individuals, people from diverse cultural and language backgrounds, and mature-aged applicants.

Eligible applicants are encouraged to apply for Affirmative Measure Disability and/or Affirmative Measure Indigenous. 

You will only need to provide evidence of disability and/or confirmation of heritage if you are considered suitable for the role under affirmative measures, and before a formal offer of employment is made. 

View more information on the APSC diversity and inclusion pages below:

• Definition of disability
• Affirmative measure for recruiting people with disability: guide for applicants
• Affirmative measure for recruiting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians: A guide for applicants

Important Note: There is no obligation for a candidate who meets eligibility under Affirmative Measures categories to apply under these options. Selection of consideration under Affirmative Measures is voluntary.

Affirmative Measures Disability

The Disability affirmative measure lets Australian Public Service (APS) agencies advertise particular jobs as open only to people with Disability, or a particular type of Disability. 

To demonstrate eligibility for employment under this Affirmative Measure, applicants are required to provide evidence that they are a person with Disability.  

Applicants will not be required to provide evidence of Disability unless they are found suitable and prior to being made a formal offer of employment. This means that you will not be required to provide evidence unnecessarily. 

Candidates who apply under the affirmative measure will need to meet minimum benchmarks to progress through the assessment stages.

Apply under Affirmative Measures Disability  

Affirmative Measures Indigenous

This affirmative measure allows a particular job in the Australian Public Service (APS) to be open only to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander persons.

Applicants applying under the Affirmative Measures Indigenous will need to provide evidence that they meet the eligibility for this vacancy should they be found suitable and prior to being made a formal offer of employment.  

To be eligible to apply for this vacancy applicants must:   

• Be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent.   
• Identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander; and  
• Are accepted by their community as being Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.  

Candidates who apply under the affirmative measure will need to meet minimum benchmarks to progress through the assessment stages.

Apply under Affirmative Measures Indigenous