Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR)
STEM Stream Graduate Program (Feb 2026)
Canberra, Sydney, Darwin
Opportunity details
- Graduate Job or Program
- AUD 82,039 - 90,580 / Year
- career progression from APS Level 4.1 to APS Level 5.1 on successful completion of the program
- 5-15 vacancies
- Apply by 17 Apr 2025
- Start date 1 Feb 2026 - 3 Dec 2026
As a STEM graduate, you'll have a unique opportunity to work across multiple STEM fields, become part of a collaborative cohort and participate in a number of networking opportunities..
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible for the STEM Stream in the Australian Government Graduate Program (AGGP), you must:
- Be an Australian citizen at the time of application.
- Have completed a minimum three-year undergraduate degree in a STEM field within the last five years.
- Have completed or be finishing an undergraduate degree or higher by 31 December 2025.
- Be able to obtain and maintain a valid Australian Government security clearance.
- Be willing to undergo any police, character, health, or other checks required.
Skills you need
To be suitable for a STEM Graduate role, you should have most or all of the following skills:
- Proficient communication skills
- Problem-solving skills
- A willingness to learn and grow
- Teamwork and collaboration skills
- Research and analysis skills
- Adaptability
- Ability to show initiative and judgement
Benefits
As a graduate in the STEM Stream, you'll work on meaningful projects that have a real impact on Australiaโs future. You'll gain experience across different STEM areas while contributing to important initiatives.
Working with the Australian Government offers great benefits, including:
- Workplace rotations to help you gain experience in diverse roles
- Structured learning and development opportunities
- Networking events
- Exposure to senior executives and STEM-specific events
- Competitive salary and flexible work options
Locations
Most roles within the STEM Stream are based in Canberra, with some opportunities available across Australia, depending on the agency you are matched with. Relocation assistance may be available through some agencies.
Roles are full-time, with potential for flexible work arrangements depending on your placement agency.
What to expect in this program
STEM graduates will:
- Work on real projects across different Australian Public Service (APS) departments
- Participate in work rotations to gain experience in diverse roles
- Experience a rewarding career within science, technology, engineering or mathematics
- Meet senior STEM leaders from across the APS
- Participate in unique STEM experiences and networking opportunities
The STEM Stream is lead by Department of Industry, Science and Resources on behalf of all participating agencies. Applicants can apply for the STEM Stream through one application and be considered for a STEM graduate position across many different agencies.
Areas you can work
Some of the work STEM graduates may be able to experience include:
- Advancing women in STEM strategy
- International and national space negotiations and agreements
- Earth observations
- Robotics
- Neuromorphic engineering
- Chemical and biological analysis
- Electro technology
- Genomics
- Cyber security
- Technology and programming
- Software engineering
- Geophysics
- Spatial analysis
Diversity and inclusion
The Australian Government is committed to 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.
If you have a disability and need support or reasonable adjustments during the application process, our team can provide confidential assistance.
Hiring criteria
- No experience required
- Australian Citizen
- Engineering & Mathematics +more
- Bachelor or higher
Reviews
I manage my team's email folder and task schedule, check and summarise internal government policy submissions and assist in the budget processes.
Economist - economic/labour market analysis, data and statistics.
Policy development e.g. developing policy, advising on other policies, conducting research to build an evidence base
About the employer
Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR)
4.0
1,000 - 50,000 employees
Government & Public Service
Our purpose at DEWR is to support people to have safe, secure and well-paid work with the skills for a sustainable future.
Pros and cons of working at Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR)
Pros
I still access to flex hours... work between the hours of 7am-7pm if needed on an ad hoc basis, along with working from home one day a week.
Seeing the direct positive impact my work has done in improving the lives of people.
In the right areas - everyone is incredibly genuine and helpful. There is a real camaraderie and team spirit to achieve a collective goal.
It is expected that graduates will move from APS levels 3 to 5 during the year-long program with opportunities to progress to level 6.
$500 for 'health purchases' (unmonitored) is nice.
Cons
Government administration can be terribly slow and painful to deal with. Red tape is a big problem.
Sometimes ridiculous expectations that we should be on-call on weekends or nights when work gets busy.
We are no longer given the opportunity to study a graduate diploma in public administration at University.
Colleague socialisation exists but is limited outside of among the graduate cohort.
Very lengthy, tedious, and bureaucratic... the hoops to jump through and requirements were very demoralising.