latrobe logo

Department of Defence

careers-icon 6 opportunities

location-icon Australia

users-icon More than 10,000 employees

Company Overview

Website: https://www.defence.gov.au/jobs-careers/graduate-program

Every contribution you make in the Defence Graduate Program leaves a unique mark.  

Bring your unique skills and experiences to a world of opportunity at Defence. This Program will give you the knowledge and skills to start your career with purpose. 

You'll find opportunities across a range of roles to help you start your Defence career with confidence. Choose from 4 pathways that provide unique learning experiences and career development:  

  • Technical pathway 
  • Intelligence pathway 
  • Research and Innovation pathway 
  • Policy and Corporate pathway. 

You'll work with a diverse group of dedicated experts and access cutting-edge technology designed to protect Australian interests. 

As a graduate, you’ll have a chance to support Australia’s security and humanitarian efforts. 

Join us and kick-start a future with purpose. 

Defence is one of the Australian Financial Review’s Top 100 Graduate Employers in 2025. 

 

Application Process

Before you apply 

  1. Check that you’re eligible before you start your application. 
  2. Read about the application process to understand the steps, timeframes and documents required. 
  3. Read about the 4 graduate pathways 
  4. Update your resume/CV and gather the documents you need. 

 Application form 

  1. Once you've checked that you're eligible, click the ‘Apply Now’ button to start. This will take you to the Defence Careers website. 
  2. Follow the prompts to complete the Defence Graduate Program Application Form. 

 Testing and assessments 
After applications close, Defence will shortlist applicants to the next round of the process. You may be invited to participate in: 

  • an online written activity
  • a group assessment, and
  • an interview. 

Reference checks may also be undertaken. 

Outcomes and offers 

If you're successful, you'll be notified by late-August to mid-October.  
 

Key dates 

  • 24 February 2025: Applications open 

  • 9 April 2025: Applications close 

Shortlisting 

  • 28 April to 4 May 2025: Online written activity 

  • 16 May 2025: Assessment outcome 

  • 26 May to 6 June 2025: Group Assessment (Hybrid delivery of face-to-face and online sessions) 

  • 11 June 2025: Assessment outcome 

  • 30 June to 11 July 2025: Interviews 

  • Within 1 week of interview: reference checks 

  • Late-August to mid-October: Program offers 

  • February 2026: Program commencement 

Please note: If you apply for the Intelligence pathway you will have to complete extra suitability tests. This may extend the time before you find out the outcome of your application. 

Jobs and Opportunities

STEM Cadetship Program - Defence
Internships • Canberra (Australia)
Computer Science

Bring your unique skills and experiences to a world of opportunity at Defence. No matter your specialisation, your contribution leaves an imprint at Defence that is uniquely yours....

apply-icon

Apply

Technical Pathway - Defence Graduate Program
Graduate Jobs • Canberra (Australia)
Business and Commerce

Make your mark in the Technical pathway by working on some of the largest national acquisition and sustainment projects at Defence. Join the Defence Graduate Program today....

apply-icon

Apply

When do we hire?

Our most recent hiring trends

JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember