First Nations graduates considering a career with Defence have two ways to join Defence: through the Australian Government Graduate Program – Indigenous Graduate Pathway (IGP) or by applying directly to a Defence graduate pathway.

The Defence Graduate Program is designed to kick-start a meaningful career through structured learning, development and hands-on experience. With tailored rotations across diverse areas, graduates gain exposure to projects that matter, build in-demand skills and discover where their strengths shine. This isn’t just a program, it’s an unique launchpad to a future full of possibilities.

Defence graduates share their stories, program experiences and exciting career journeys.

Defence graduates are offered training and development specific to the graduate pathway they have chosen. Graduates will complete Defence’s mandatory training, cultural awareness training as well as opportunities for social activities and unique experiences.

The Defence Graduate Program is a 12-month development opportunity designed to launch your career in the Australian Public Service (APS). As a Defence graduate, you will gain hands-on experience, build professional networks and develop the skills needed to make a real impact.

The Defence Graduate Program offers 10 pathways, allowing graduates to align their career with their interests and qualifications. When applying, please select the pathway that best suits your skills and aspirations.

Legal graduates at Defence support a mix of practising and non-practising (legal policy) roles across a vary array of areas, such as administrative, international, commercial, governance, and operational law. Defence offers exposure to legal issues central to national security and capability.

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.

The Defence engineering pathway is where graduates' engineering skills can make a real difference in capability outcomes. This pathway offers the chance to build technical expertise while contributing to the design, development, testing and sustainment of cutting-edge Defence capability.

Defence offers digital graduates the opportunity to work on secure, complex and mission-critical technology systems that support capability, operations, cyber security and enterprise functions.

Data graduates are recruited directly to Defence through the Australian Government Graduate Program – Data stream.

Commercial pathway graduates in Defence are enabling the delivery of some of the most exciting, complex and challenging projects in Australia. This is their opportunity to drive meaningful and impactful outcomes that directly support Australia’s national security.

The Business services and policy pathway puts graduates at the centre of the decisions, systems and services that keeps Defence moving. Graduates will shape policies, support major initiatives, and help ensure our people and operations work smoothly and effectively.

Accounting and financial management graduates are recruited directly to Defence through the Australian Government Graduate Program – Accounting and financial management pathway.

Graduates can bring their unique skills and experiences to make their mark in a world of opportunity at Defence. The Intelligence pathway offers dynamic roles that influence planning, strategy, and operations across Defence. This pathway is designed for critical thinkers who thrive on solving complex problems and delivering actionable insights.

Graduates can bring their unique skills and experiences to make their mark in a world of opportunity at Defence. The research and innovation pathway is where science meets strategy. If a soldier wears it, uses it, eats it, or thinks it, someone in Defence created the science behind it. This pathway offers graduates the chance to work on pioneering projects that shape the future of national security.

ServiceConnect is a simple, digital access point that allows people to get the Defence services they need quickly and easily.

Preliminary Documents related to the Environmental referral for Submarine Rotational Force – West infrastructure project.

Defence gifts and benefits register.

PFAS (perfluroalkyl and polyfluroalkyl substances) management and investigation program at RAAF Base Richmond

Defence participates in the Workplace Gender Equality Agency – Commonwealth Public Sector Gender Equality Reporting Program in accordance with the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012.

The Pacific Medium Works Program – Papua New Guinea, is an initiative under the Defence Pacific Engagement.

Information about the Pacific Maritime Security Program Wharf Infrastructure project.

Information about the Defence Pacific Engagement Border and Patrol Boat Outpost ⁠–⁠ Solomon Islands .

Information about the Defence Pacific Engagement Joint Initiative at Lombrum Naval Base , Papua New Guinea.

Information about the Blackrock Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Camp , Blackrock Camp in Fiji.

Cook Barracks and Tiroas Barracks Redevelopment project –⁠ Vanuatu, is an initiative under the Defence Pacific Engagement.

The Maritime Essential Services Centre (MESC) will be utilised by the Republic of Fiji Navy, located in Lami.

Information about the infrastructure projects under the Defence Pacific Engagement.

RMAF Butterworth – Malaysia is an initiative under the Defence Pacific Engagement.