Accounting and Finance Internship

Department of Finance; Canberra; On-site; AUD 34,440,000 - 44,083,000; Part time

Job summary

The Department of Finance invites motivated first, second or third year university students majoring in Accounting or Finance to join our paid internship program in Canberra. You will work under a Senior Accountant/Analyst in the FARM division, gaining practical experience in treasury, financial reporting, budgeting and analysis.

You’ll participate in in-house training with CPA Australia and industry bodies, supporting real government processes and decisions while balancing study commitments.

Qualifications

• Enthusiastic about starting a career in accounting/finance while studying.
• Willingness to learn and take on real responsibilities.
• Able to work as part of a high-performing team in a supportive environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist treasury management and flow of funds within the government.
• Help prepare monthly/annual financial statements and provide accounting advice.
• Support budgeting processes for departments and agencies.
• Create financial models and reports; assist with government investment funds processes totaling billions.
• Contribute to financial reports for superannuation programs and prepare briefings for senior Finance officials.

Skills

Enthusiastic

Keen to develop skills

Team player

Part-time study balance

Education

Accounting or Finance major (university student)

Job description

Part time, Full time, Casual/Temporary, Internship, Contract

• Are you interested in kick-starting your career in accounting & finance whilst finishing your studies?
• Are you looking for a challenging position with real responsibility and supportive colleagues?
• Why not consider an internship with our team!

The Department of Finance (Finance) is looking for motivated first, second or third year university students majoring in Accounting or Finance who are looking to build their experience and start their career path as a paid intern.

We offer an exceptional internship opportunity where you’ll work under the guidance of a Senior Accountant / Analyst and acquire a diverse skill set including:

• Treasury management skills by helping to manage the flow of money within the Australian Government.
• Financial reporting by:
  • Preparing monthly, or annual financial statements for the Australian Government
  • Providing accounting advice to government departments and agencies.
• Budget by providing advice and support to departments and agencies preparing their annual budgets.
• Analytical skills, through the creation of financial models and reports, as well as facilitating payments for the Australian Government Investment Funds program totaling around $1.5 billion annually for major government initiatives and managing investments of around $68 billion.
• Evaluating and preparing financial reports for the multi-billion dollar Australian Government superannuation benefits programs.
• Capacity to positively influence government decision making by developing briefings and advice to senior Finance officials and the Minister for Finance.

You will be placed in the Financial Analysis, Reporting and Management Division (FARM) where you will have the opportunity to enhance your practical skills and knowledge of accounting by participating in our in-house training and development sessions, run in conjunction with CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and other entities from across the Australian Public Service.

A placement start date is subject to obtaining a baseline security clearance, with the process undertaken by Finance with successful candidates. It is anticipated that interns will commence from November 2026 onwards. All roles will be based in the Parliamentary Triangle, close to Parliament House working from our office located at 1 Canberra Avenue, Forrest.

Key duties of the position include:

• Are you interested in kick-starting your career in accounting & finance whilst finishing your studies?
• Are you looking for a challenging position with real responsibility and supportive colleagues?
• Why not consider an internship with our team!
• Treasury management skills by helping to manage the flow of money within the Australian Government.
• Preparing monthly, or annual financial statements for the Australian Government
• Providing accounting advice to government departments and agencies.
• Budget by providing advice and support to departments and agencies preparing their annual budgets.
• Analytical skills, through the creation of financial models and reports, as well as facilitating payments for the Australian Government Investment Funds program totaling around $1.5 billion annually for major government initiatives and managing investments of around $68 billion.
• Evaluating and preparing financial reports for the multi-billion dollar Australian Government superannuation benefits programs.
• Capacity to positively influence government decision making by developing briefings and advice to senior Finance officials and the Minister for Finance.

What we are looking for

• Enthusiastic
• Keen to develop meaningful skills
• Eager to work as part of a high performing team in a caring environment
• Looking to complete their studies while gaining real world experience part-time.

What we offer

At Finance, we put your wellbeing first, providing a safe working environment where you will get to develop your skills and apply your accounting and finance knowledge, as well as develop your problem solving ability and grow leadership capabilities that are highly valued and readily transferrable to a range of future career opportunities.

Interns will be employed as a casual APS 2 employee for up to two days per week, based around study commitments (including exams), with the option to work additional hours during holidays, including throughout the 2026-27 Summer.

Casual positions are of an irregular/intermittent nature with hours and working days varying as required, including to fit around your university classes. As an APS 2 intern you will be paid an hourly rate based on an annual salary of $63,723 per annum (pro-rata) plus a 25% loading in lieu of annual and personal leave (excluding long service leave).

Note: These roles are initially being filled on a casual basis however there will be the possibility to be made ongoing within the next 18 months, while the merit pool is active. To support career progression, there may be an opportunity for interns to be offered a broadband advancement in line with The Department of Finance Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027, at the completion of the program.

Eligibility

• Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS) unless the Agency Head has agreed otherwise, in writing.
• Successful applicants will be required to undergo the process to obtain and maintain, or continue to hold, the required security clearance level for the role as indicated. All Finance staff are required to have a minimum baseline security clearance prior to commencement.
• RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme, you will be invited to participate in further assessment activities for the vacancy if you choose to opt-in to the scheme, declare you have Disability and meet the minimum requirements for the vacancy. All requests for reasonable adjustments will be considered and managed in consultation with you. Further information can be found at https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability.
• These roles are being filled in an ongoing and casual/intermittent capacity. There is no guarantee of set days and hours and work will only be offered as required. An annual salary will be paid as an hourly rate, including a 25% loading in lieu of annual leave, personal leave and public holidays.
• A merit pool will be established and be made available to other Australian Public Service entities.

Notes

Relocation assistance is not able to be offered as part of the internship. Candidates wishing to take up these opportunities who reside outside the Canberra region will need to relocate at their own expense.

Getting to know the Department of Finance

As a central agency of the Australian Government, the Department of Finance (Finance) plays an important role in assisting government across a wide range of policy areas to ensure its outcomes are met.Finance supports the government's ongoing priorities through the Budget process and fosters leading practice through the public sector resource management, governance and accountability frameworks. Finance plays a leading role in advising the government on many of its strategic priorities. We do this through our professional and considered approach to providing advice, developing policy, delivering services and engaging with our clients and stakeholders.Finance's key areas of focus are:- Budget- Business Enabling Services- Commercial- Governance and Resource Management