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Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF)

  • 1,000 - 50,000 employees

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) Graduate Programs & Internships

  • Government & Public Service

Summary Points

What it does: protects and strengthens our country's natural heritage 

Staff stats: approx. 7000
The good bits: Meaningful work caring for our country and making a positive impact on communities, industries and our nation. 

Our Role

Our role and functions are diverse.

We work to enhance our agricultural, fisheries and forestry industries. We create new and maintain existing agricultural export opportunities, to provide gains for Australian agriculture. We manage biosecurity risks to Australia to protect our multi-billion dollar agricultural industries and our way of life.

Find out more about what we do.

The Program

As one of our graduates, you will make a valuable contribution to protecting Australia’s natural resources, developing strong agricultural industries and delivering policies and programs for a strong economy. The work we do today, matters for tomorrow.

Our 12-month Graduate Program will:

  • develop your existing knowledge and skills
  • enhance your confidence in the workplace
  • kick start a rewarding career in the Australian Public Service

Our graduates start as full-time, permanent employees at the APS 3 level. On successful completion of the program, we will assess you for advancement to the APS 4 or APS 5 level.

Who we’re looking for 

We’re looking for graduates from a wide range of disciplines, including (but not limited to) agricultural and environmental sciences, policy and government, international relations, veterinarians, legal studies, finance, resource economics, data and digital.

Diversity & Inclusion

Better together

It’s well known that our best assets are our people. Our differences enhance our work, providing new vantage points to problem solve and to deliver for our fellow Australians. It was important for us to accurately represent the vast diversity of our people, from our backgrounds, cultures, identities, and lives outside of work, to our work itself. Our better together campaign highlights our commitment to fostering an inclusive culture, where everyone feels safe to be themselves at work.

Our work 

  • Generalist
  • Legal
  • STEM
  • Finance
  • Veterinarian
  • ABARES (Economist Stream)
  • Human Resources
  • Digital
  • Data

Recruitment Process

We are seeking graduates that will help us achieve our goals and foster our positive workplace culture. We encourage you to apply if you:

  • like to tackle important issues
  • are open to doing things differently
  • anticipate and adapt to new situations
  • are mindful of the impact you have on others
  • make things happen to ensure success

Our graduates come from all university degree disciplines. This reflects the variety of career paths available.

Who can apply

You must:

  • be an Australian citizen or have been granted citizenship prior to 1 January 2024
  • have completed a Bachelor’s degree (or higher qualification), before the start of the 2024 program

You can have completed your degree at any time before that date.

International degree

If you received your degree overseas, it must be recognised by the Office of International Education. You can find contact details for each state and territory.

How to apply

Applications for the 2023 Graduate Development Program open 6 March 2023.


Graduates

graduates-banner.jpg

2024 Graduate Applications for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s 2024 Graduate Development Program open on Monday 6 March 2023.

What to expect

As one of our graduates, you will make a valuable contribution to protecting Australia’s natural resources, developing strong agricultural industries and delivering policies and programs for a strong economy. The work we do today, matters for tomorrow.

Our 12-month Graduate Program will:

  • develop your existing knowledge and skills
  • enhance your confidence in the workplace
  • kick start a rewarding career in the Australian Public Service

Our graduates start as full-time, permanent employees at the APS 3 level. On successful completion of the program, we will assess you for advancement to the APS 4 or APS 5 level.

Why join our department?

Whatever your skills and expertise, the work you undertake during your graduate program will contribute directly to the future of our nation and our key priorities to:

  • Biosecurity - strengthening our national biosecurity system to provide an appropriate level of protection to Australia’s people, our environment and economy from the biosecurity threats of today and tomorrow.
  • Resilience and sustainability - increasing the contribution agriculture, forestry and fisheries make to a healthy, sustainable and low emissions environment.
  • Industry growth - supporting industry to grow toward a $100 billion agriculture, fisheries and forestry industry by 2030 amid changing global market conditions.

Who are we looking for?

We’re looking for graduates from a wide range of disciplines, including (but not limited to) agricultural and environmental sciences, policy and government, international relations, veterinarians, legal studies, finance, resource economics, data and digital.

Our commitment to diversity

It’s well known that our best assets are our people. Our differences enhance our work, providing new vantage points to problem solve and to deliver for our fellow Australians. It is important for us to accurately represent the vast diversity of our people, from our backgrounds, cultures, identities, and lives outside of work, to our work itself. Our better together suite of videos highlights our commitment to fostering an inclusive culture, where everyone feels safe to be themselves at work.

Apply for the 2024 Graduate Development Program In 2024, most of our recruitment will be through the Australian Government Graduate Program. You can learn more about the different streams by clicking through the links below:

  • Generalist Stream
  • Digital Stream
  • Data Stream
  • Legal Stream
  • STEM Stream
  • HR Stream
  • Economist Stream
  • Accounting and Financial Management Stream
  • Indigenous Graduate Pathway

We will be running separate recruitment for graduate positions for those interested in working with the Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resource Economics and Science (ABARES), and those licensed and registered in Australia to work as a veterinarian. Details of how to apply for these streams are listed below:

  • ABARES Graduates
  • Veterinarian GraduatesYou must also upload a copy of your CV and academic transcript.

ABARES program

Our ABARES Entry Level Professional Program for graduates has its own application process for economists, data scientists, and statisticians. ABARES scientists will be recruited via the APS-wide STEM stream in 2023-24. See the ABARES careers page for more information.

Security clearance and medical examination

Before we offer you a position, you will have to undergo an Australian Federal Police (AFP) police records check.

If you are cleared, you must also undertake:

  • a security clearance to the Negative Vetting Level 1, which involves a series of assessments and background checks conducted by AGSVA
  • a medical examination by our external health provider, to determine if you are medically fit to undertake the position (this will include a Q fever vaccination)

Remuneration & Career Growth

Remuneration 

Graduates can expect a salary of $71,444

Employees are offered fringe benefits that may include annual flu vaccinations, job dependant vaccinations, work health and safety information and training, training and development (e.g. internal assignments, on-the-job training, secondment opportunities, e-learning courses, study leave for approved external studies), and flexible working arrangements (e.g. job sharing, part-time hours, support for carers, paid annual leave, leave provisions).

Jobs & Opportunities

Locations With Jobs & Opportunities
  • Canberra
Hiring candidates with qualifications in
B
Business & Management
C
Creative Arts
E
Engineering & Mathematics
H
Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences
I
IT & Computer Science
L
Law, Legal Studies & Justice
M
Medical & Health Sciences
P
Property & Built Environment
S
Sciences
T
Teaching & Education

Graduate Success Stories


  • Graduate stories
Anand Gupte Studied at the Australian National University, completed a Bachelor of Commerce/Finance in 2020.

Anand Gupte

  • Graduate stories
Anand Gupte Studied at the Australian National University, completed a Bachelor of Commerce/Finance in 2020.

Anand Gupte

  • Graduate stories
I think one of the unique aspects of being a graduate is that you get to be a part of so many opportunities at work.

Will Triglau-Phillips

  • Graduate stories
I think one of the unique aspects of being a graduate is that you get to be a part of so many opportunities at work.

Will Triglau-Phillips

  • Graduate stories
Anand Gupte Studied at the Australian National University, completed a Bachelor of Commerce/Finance in 2020.

Anand Gupte

  • Graduate stories
Anand Gupte Studied at the Australian National University, completed a Bachelor of Commerce/Finance in 2020.

Anand Gupte

  • Graduate stories
I think one of the unique aspects of being a graduate is that you get to be a part of so many opportunities at work.

Will Triglau-Phillips

  • Graduate stories
I think one of the unique aspects of being a graduate is that you get to be a part of so many opportunities at work.

Will Triglau-Phillips


A Day In The Life Of


  • Day in the life

Frances Zewe

Frances Zewe– Graduate in Veterinary and Export Meat Branch Studied at the University of Sydney, completed a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2020.
  • Day in the life

Frances Zewe

Frances Zewe– Graduate in Veterinary and Export Meat Branch Studied at the University of Sydney, completed a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2020.
  • Day in the life

Beth Kynaston

Beth Kynaston – Graduate Graduate in Plant Biosecurity Studied at the Deakin University and the University of Newcastle, completed a Bachelor of Zoology and Animal Science and a Graduate Certificate in Environmental Management and Sustainability in 2019.
  • Day in the life

Beth Kynaston

Beth Kynaston – Graduate Graduate in Plant Biosecurity Studied at the Deakin University and the University of Newcastle, completed a Bachelor of Zoology and Animal Science and a Graduate Certificate in Environmental Management and Sustainability in 2019.
  • Day in the life

Frances Zewe

Frances Zewe– Graduate in Veterinary and Export Meat Branch Studied at the University of Sydney, completed a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2020.
  • Day in the life

Frances Zewe

Frances Zewe– Graduate in Veterinary and Export Meat Branch Studied at the University of Sydney, completed a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2020.
  • Day in the life

Beth Kynaston

Beth Kynaston – Graduate Graduate in Plant Biosecurity Studied at the Deakin University and the University of Newcastle, completed a Bachelor of Zoology and Animal Science and a Graduate Certificate in Environmental Management and Sustainability in 2019.
  • Day in the life

Beth Kynaston

Beth Kynaston – Graduate Graduate in Plant Biosecurity Studied at the Deakin University and the University of Newcastle, completed a Bachelor of Zoology and Animal Science and a Graduate Certificate in Environmental Management and Sustainability in 2019.

Videos


The future at DAWE

It’s our purpose to care for our country and ensure we create a brighter future for communities across our nation.

The future at DAWE

It’s our purpose to care for our country and ensure we create a brighter future for communities across our nation.