Graduate program

Being a graduate at Safe Work Australia gives you all the benefits of joining our excellent team.

We welcome people with diverse skills and experiences, who want to contribute to healthy and safe Australian workplaces.

"Completing the Safe Work Australia Graduate Program has equipped me with the skills and insights to make meaningful contributions in the APS. I have gained an understanding of government operations, policy development and strategic decision-making."

2023 Graduate
Tiara
Silica Taskforce

What a Safe Work Australia graduate does

As one of our graduates, you’ll be based in Canberra and be a member of the Australian Public Service.

You will:

  • get hands-on, practical experience
  • contribute to our meaningful work
  • learn and develop your skills.

As a graduate with us, you get the same benefits of working as part of our team, plus you will: 

  • take part in the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) Graduate Development Program
  • complete up to 3 workplace rotations to develop your skills and gain a comprehensive understanding of the agency 
  • complete a major project, as part of the Graduate Development Program
  • get personalised mentoring.

We will also help you with:

  • ongoing employment when you finish the graduate program
  • moving if you live outside Canberra. 

"Through the Safe Work Australia Graduate Program, I was able to effectively combine my passion for WHS and Workers' Compensation with the technical skills I'd developed at university, helping to make a difference for millions of working Australians.”

2023 Graduate
Luke 
Data Analyst, Data Improvement & Analysis

Applying to be a graduate

We employ graduates through:

Who is eligible to be a Safe Work Australia graduate?

To be a part of our 2025 graduate program you must:

  • be an Australian citizen 
  • have completed (within the last 5 years) or will complete by January 2025, an undergraduate or postgraduate degree with a credit average or equivalent from a recognised tertiary institution
  • undertake a police and character check
  • be able to obtain and maintain a baseline security clearance
  • be able to start full time work in Canberra by mid January 2025
  • be willing to move to Canberra.

 

"The graduate program gave me the opportunity to make a positive impact by applying and developing my diverse skill set across three different policy and data rotations, that all contributed to improving workplace health and safety and workers' compensation arrangements in Australia.”

2023 Graduate
Jovana
Data Analyst, Data Improvement & Analysis

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander graduates

We recruit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander graduates through the Indigenous Graduate Pathway.

You only need to apply once to the Indigenous Graduate Pathway to access a range of opportunities in the Australian Government.

Contact

Email us to find out more about the graduate program.

Current Graduates

Hear from some of our current 2024 graduate cohort below on their thoughts on the Safe Work Australia Graduate Program so far.

“I relocated to Canberra for the Safe Work Australia Graduate Program, and it has been very inspiring to harness my university skills to influence real world applications within a WHS context.”

2024 Graduate
Max 
Evidence, Communications & Industries Policy

"Having the opportunity to work in such a diverse policy environment through the graduate program has allowed me to explore areas I’m interested in, learn new skills and gain a deeper understanding of WHS issues."

2024 Graduate
Trinity
Silica Taskforce

“I applied to the Safe Work Australia Graduate Program because I wanted to kick off my APS career in a workplace that directly contributes to the safety of millions of Australian workers.”

2024 Graduate
Guthrie 
Chemicals Policy & WES Review

"The Safe Work Australia Graduate Program has been great so far in helping me establish a wide network of fellow graduates that I’ll know for years to come."

2024 Graduate
Bayley
Psychosocial & Consultation Policy