Department of Defence

Bring your unique skills and experiences to a world of opportunity at Defence. Make your mark in the Policy and Corporate pathway working on: 

• accounting and financial management
• program management
• finance and administration
• legal (Legal Practice and Legal Policy)
• analysis
• personnel, and
• policy.

The Policy and Corporate pathway accepts applications from all degree disciplines. It's suited to graduates interested in: 

• accounting and financial management
• arts and humanities
• business and commerce
• construction and building management
• data and cyber security
• environmental science
• information and communication technology
• international and security studies
• law
• media and communication
• policy and international relations
• procurement and contracting, and
• project management.

Salary

All successful candidates will commence the Graduate Program on a salary of $79,176 plus 15.4% superannuation (increasing to $81,868 in March 2026). 
 
Graduates advance to a higher salary after successfully completing the Program. The salary increase depends on which training pathway is completed.

Defence's is committed to enabling an enjoyable work-life balance through:

• generous remuneration package
• conditions of service
• flexible work arrangements, and
• leave benefits.

Location

Roles in this pathway are based in Canberra with a limited possibility of an interstate rotation placement during the program.

Duration

12 months.

Roles

Policy and Corporate pathway applicants need to choose one of these areas of interest in their application: 

Accounting and Financial Management 

Accounting and Financial Management graduates will: 

• Be part of the largest finance function across the entire Commonwealth and be at the forefront of financial innovation.
• Contribute to an ambitious modernisation program that's reshaping every facet of Defence’s budget management and financial operations.

Note: to apply for the Accounting and Financial Management Stream, applicants must apply through the Australian Government Graduate Program – Accounting and Financial Management Stream.

Analyst 

The Analyst role will:

• Provide commercial management and procurement advice. This role helps facilitate Defence’s investment to develop innovative technologies.
• Advise and influence decision-making and strategy on real-world Defence capability investments.

Commercial (Procurement and Contracting): 

The Commercial role will:

• Work on complex and challenging commercial activities. 
• Assist in managing commercial risk across the capability and procurement life cycle to deliver optimal outcomes. Read more at Defence Commercial Division on our website.

Corporate 

The Corporate role will: 

• Work in communication, finance, marketing and strategic planning.
• Support key decisions that lead to innovative corporate solutions for government.

Legal Streams

Legal Practice 

• Design and draft legislative requirements
• Conduct legal research and draft relevant court documents

Practical Legal Training will be funded for Graduates who are in the Legal Practice Stream only, and are yet to complete this training. 

Legal Policy

• Provide advice on administrative or departmental policy and frameworks
• Preparing written briefs, submissions and reports

Note: to apply for the Legal Streams, applicants must apply through the Australian Government Graduate Program – Legal Stream.

Policy

The Policy role will: 

• Produce and apply strategy to influence the policy frameworks that govern Defence operations and international engagement.
• Guide industry to deliver capability.
• Ensure quality outcomes and optimum impact of government investment.

Project and Program Management

The Project and Program Management roles will:

• Work in project planning, procurement, management and contract administration.
• Deliver nationally significant infrastructure or environmental projects.