Human Resources graduates for Defence are recruited directly through the Australian Government Graduate Program – Human resources stream.

Defence offerings

Once recruited, graduates who join Defence work within one of the largest and most diverse workforces in the Australian Government. Human resources (HR) professionals at Defence support a broad range of people‑centred services that contribute directly to the growth, wellbeing and readiness of the organisation and its people.

Unique workforce

With a combined civilian and military workforce, Defence offers graduate HR professionals exposure to complex employment environments, specialist roles and diverse workforce needs.

Meaningful people-focused work

HR graduates play an important role in shaping workforce capability, supporting wellbeing and ensuring Defence remains an employer of choice.

Rotations across multiple functions

Graduates experience both strategic and operational HR settings, working alongside experienced HR specialists, psychologists, organisational designers, learning experts and workplace relations professionals.

Professional guidance

Graduates receive structured learning and on-the-job support from subject matter experts across the Defence enterprise.

Opportunities

While working in a supportive pathway designed to grow their career, graduates will:

  • gain experience across a diverse range of HR discipline areas
  • receive mentorship from experienced Human Resource practitioners and subject matter experts
  • get opportunities to innovate, problem solve and influence human resources (HR) initiatives and projects.

Graduates can gain experience across a wide range of HR disciplines, including:

  • workforce planning
  • learning and development
  • language services
  • workplace relations
  • payroll and HR operations
  • recruitment
  • HR strategy and design (establishment)
  • talent management and strategy
  • work health and safety
  • rehabilitation and return-to-work support.

Examples of work graduates may contribute to:

  • supporting workforce analysis for future capability needs
  • assisting with employee relations casework and research
  • contributing to learning and development program design and delivery
  • analysing recruitment trends and supporting workforce attraction initiatives
  • helping implement WHS programs, guidance material, or assessments
  • supporting pay-related policy and HR operations
  • assisting with talent reviews and succession-planning activities
  • supporting rehabilitation case management with guidance from specialists.

For information on recruitment and application processes, please visit the Australian Government Graduate Program – Human resources stream webpage.