Eligibility criteria 

To be eligible for the Australian Government Career Starter Program, you must submit your application with evidence of the following:

• Have completed a Year 12 certificate (or equivalent) in 2025 or be completing one in 2026.
• Be an Australian citizen or obtain Australian citizenship by November 2026.
• Be willing to undergo any police, character, health, or other checks required.

Skills you need

To be suitable for the Career Starter Program, you should have most or all of the following: 

• Strong communication skills.
• Strong teamwork skills.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Benefits 

Working with the Australian Government offers excellent benefits, including:

• A salary starting from $54,000, depending on placement agency.
• Generous superannuation contributions of 15.4%.
• Australian Public Service (APS) employment conditions.
• Access to standard APS leave entitlements.
• A workplace committed to inclusion and diversity.

Locations

Most positions are available in Canberra, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Hobart, Darwin and Sydney.

What to expect in this program

Managed by the Department of Finance, the Australian Government Career Starter Program is recruiting roles across the Australian Government and Commonwealth agencies. 

During this program, you can expect:

• On-the-job learning and development
• Support and mentorship
• Opportunities to network across the APS
• Study a Certificate IV in Government or a Certificate IV in Human Resource Management while working

Diversity and inclusion

Affirmative Measures

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.