Career Starter Program

Australian Department of Finance; City of Brisbane; On-site; AUD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid leave

Superannuation

Certificate IV study support

Networking events

Job summary

Australian Department of Finance in Brisbane invites graduates to apply for the 2027 Career Starter Program. The 12-month, full-time program places you in a permanent APS1 role and supports you to study for Certificates IV in Government or HR while you work.

You will receive supervision, participate in networking events across government, and have a pathway to APS2 upon successful completion. Eligibility includes Year 12 completion, Australian citizenship, and security checks.

Qualifications

• Completed Year 12 or equivalent (current or previous year).
• Australian citizen.
• Willing to undergo security and police checks.

Responsibilities

• Work full-time in a permanent APS1 role.
• Study towards a Certificate IV in Government or a Certificate IV in Human Resource Management while you work.
• Receive support from a dedicated supervisor and team.
• Attend networking events with other Career Starters across government.
• Opportunities to advance to the APS2 level after program completion.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

Year 12 or equivalent

Certificate IV in Government

Certificate IV in Human Resource Management

Job description

Australian Department of Finance – Brisbane QLD

Applications for the 2027 Career Starter Program intake are open now! If you have graduated year 12 in 2025 or will be graduating in 2026, apply now!

TheAustralian Government Career Starter Program is a 12-month program that helps you start your career in government.

You work full-time in a permanent role and earn a competitive salary. You also receive paid leave and superannuation.

You gain hands on experience while working in an Australian Government department and agency. The program is well-established and builds strong skills for your future career.

What the program offers

If you are successful, you will:

work full-time in a permanent APS1 role in a participating department or agency

study towards a Certificate IV in Government or a Certificate IV in Human Resource Management while you work

receive support from a dedicated supervisor and team

attend networking events with other Career Starters across government

have the opportunity to advance to the APS2 level after you complete the program successfully.

Who can apply

To be eligible, you must:

have completed Year 12 or equivalent qualification in the current or previous year

be an Australian citizen

undergo security and police checks.

One application, many opportunities

You only need to submit one application. You can be considered for one of two work streams:

Government roles

Human Resources roles

Your placement will match your interests and strengths.

Government roles

In a generalist government role, you may work in areas such as:

Customer service

Respond to enquiries, support facilities, and engage with the public.

Programs and policy

Help manage training calendars, handle correspondence, and support executive functions.

Technical support

Assist with IT infrastructure, procurement, and communication with suppliers.

While working, you will complete a Certificate IV in Government. This qualification builds your understanding of public sector operations, ethics, and legislation.

Human Resources roles

In a Human Resources role, you support key HR functions across the Australian Public Service. These roles help you build strong foundational skills. You may assist with:

HR initiatives

Support learning and development, wellbeing programs, and policy communication.

HR policy and procedures

Respond to basic enquiries and follow established HR processes.

Recruitment and governance

Help coordinate interviews, support committees, and prepare documents.

Administration tasks

Complete corporate data entry, manage inboxes, and maintain records.

You will also complete a Certificate IV in Human Resource Management. This helps you learn about recruitment, performance management, and employee relations.

Diversity and inclusion

We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. We value the different skills and perspectives that people bring.

We strongly encourage applications from:

people with disability

If you need adjustments or support during the recruitment process, please let us know.

Contact us

If you have questions about the Career Starter Program, contact the program team on 02 6215 1*** or email***************@finance.gov.au